The Potters aim to get back on track with a win against Watford after a frustrating loss to Ipswich
Town.
After what was a very positive start for The Potters it seems that old habits have returned again.
Over-ran and outfought Stoke were completely outclassed against The Tractor Boys last Saturday.
However, the focus now shifts to an even bigger challenge facing them this weekend with The
Potters taking on 3rd placed Watford in what is to be a very challenging game.
Here's everything you need to know about The Potters' upcoming game against The Hornets…
Team News
Alex Neil will be faced with a slight headache when it comes to the team selection against The
Hornets. Going into the game against Ipswich it was evident that their biggest threat was the quick
build-up play in the midfield something which the Stoke midfield was seemingly incapable of keeping up with.
Neil will be left to question whether slight adjustments will need to be made to the midfield
against Watford after it was completely over-run-in last Saturday's fixture.
As a result, 16-year-old Sol Sidibe could be in line to start after impressing Neil in the Carabao Cup games against West Brom. However, despite the midfield having a torrid time against Ipswich it does bear reminding that The Potters are only 3 games into the season and performances like this are expected from time to time. Therefore, it's expected for the midfield to stay relatively the same.
Not only may changes be made to the team sheet, but play style as well for the front three. The
Potters performed much better after Chiquinho was brought off the pitch in place of Wesley with
him holding up the play expertly well and feeding the ball to wingers Mmaee and Vidigal.
Starting Wesley offers the team a whole different output. It allows Stoke to play off second balls and opens space up for the wingers to cut inside and score. Glimpses of this were seen last Saturday against Ipswich and allowed Stoke to have more control of the game in the second half.
Predicted starting XI against Watford:
(GK) Travers, Stevens, Rose, Wilmot, Hoever, Pearson, Johnson, Laurent, Mmaee, Wesley, Vidigal
The Manager
Valerien Ismael is known for his high intensity play which saw his former team Barnsley climb up the
Championship table and surprisingly reach the playoffs in the 2020/21 season. Ismael has also come under criticism during his managerial career with him leaving his latest team West Brom after 8 months due to fans criticising his tactics and leaving them in 5th place.
Nevertheless, Ismael is determined to get Watford back into the Premier League after The Hornets
finished a rather disappointing 11 th last season. Intensity is the name of the game for Ismael's teams, with players pressing high up the pitch and aiming to control the game when in possession.
This could provide a potential challenge for The Potters with the midfield struggling with the high
intensity Ipswich provided last weekend. Neil must make sure the midfield is solid to not risk getting
overrun once again.
Opposition Player To Look Out For
Young and upcoming midfielder Yaser Asprilla is someone The Potters may struggle against.
Coming through the ranks at the same club which developed James Rodriguez, the Colombian - despite his age should not be underestimated. Asprilla has Watford fans singing his praises for his exciting style of play.
Asprilla plays predominantly in the advanced midfield position but has also played out wide for
his former side, Envigado. With an impressive physical stature and bags of ability, Asprilla could
create havoc in and around the area for The Potters.
Head-to-Head
Watford were a very challenging team last season for The Potters with The Hornets winning both
games. Winning 4-0 away from home and 2-0 at home. The Hornets have also been the most
successful team overall winning 18 drawing 7 and losing 16.
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