Thread: Valencia CF vs Stoke City (Europa League 1800 KO)

Well it's finally here, the game we've all been talking about for the last two months, our trip to the Mestalla

We go into the game still very much in the tie, only being 1 goal down still gives us a fighting chance, yes it's going to be a tough ask but it's not over until it's over !!

Me, Tim and the rest of the lads fly out on Wednesday, to say were all a little excited is an understatement

It's been a long time coming for me, having put so much time and effort into helping to organise the coaches from Benidorm it seemed miles away but it's crept up on me

We will take lots of pictures and report back as much as we can while we are out there, all beer dependent of course

I'm determined to have a good time and make the most of what could be our last trip into Europe for a while, it's a momentous occasion and I hope all the traveling stokies have a truly memorable trip.

Would love us to snatch a 2-1 win but I think we may come unstuck and lose the game by the same margin.


Bego

Wilko Shawcross Huth Wilson

Pennant Whitehead Whelan Etherington

Crouch Jerome

VIS UNITA FORTIOR

Well well well....

I'm so far past excited its not even funny.. Its my birthday tuesday too so this is my birthday present and its gonna be mint,,,. its not that we're going away on a lads jolly up, its the fact that i'm seeing stoke play in europe and its the fact that its VALENCIA,,,,,,,,, not some tinpot club in Switzerland or Israel, its Stoke playing Fucking Valencia. A team i've seen only in champions league action year after year... I took a gamble not to go any of the previous europa away games (had the chance to go Turkey and Israel but decided not too for various factors) and my gamble has paid off. and I know this cliche has been said so so much in recent years but LOOK HOW FAR WE HAVE COME,,,, I've seen some utter utter SHITE watching stoke in my time.... (and still this present day ) but to have thought we would be playing the likes of Valencia in KNOCK OUT european football just as little as 4 years ago is unthinkable and if anyone would have suggested it then they'd have been put firmly in a padded room.

Its just bloody awesome and after Thursday we have half a chance or maybe a bit less. If we pulled this one off and overturned this 1-0 deficit I think i'll spontaneously combust while high up in the Stand and may well just piss myself with excitement, having said that even if we get stuffed 4-0 i'm still gonna have a blast over there.

Heres to a good trip chaps I CANNOT BLOODY WAIT

Team i'd go for....

--------Bego--------
Wilko-Huth-Ryan-Wilson
Pennant-Whelan-Deano-Ethers
----Fuller---Crouch--

I would love Fuller to start n cause mayhem.

But i'll eat me spanish coach drivers pubic hair if walters does not start.

Sitting in the departure lounge at gatwick with a beer ! Another couple of hours and we will be on route

Hope you all have a great time and it all goes well. Try to stay sober enough for a few pics. I look like settling for ESPN
Gaz

Well, most of you have probably seen the travelling squad list. Pulis has faced some pretty harsh criticism for it - but I'm sure those individuals will backtrack massively if we come out of Spain with a victory.

The line up will consist of players from the following list:

Goalkeepers: Asmir Begovic, Thomas Sorensen

Defenders: Ryan Shotton, Jonathan Woodgate, Michael Clarkson, Robert Huth, Danny Collins

Midfielders: Salif Diao, Jermaine Pennant, Lucas Dawson, Wilson Palacios, Diego Arismendi, Rory Delap

Attackers: Cameron Jerome, Kenwyne Jones, Ricardo Fuller

I imagine the starting line up will be;

Begovic
Shotton, Woodgate, Huth, Collins
Pennant, Palacios, Delap, Jerome
Jones, Fuller

Have a good time lads have yu seen team sheet ???


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=53.180559,-2.305335