I tell you what for nothing, I would rather be playing Ian Holloway’s open Crystal Palace than Tony Pulis’s rejuvenated team. I haven’t watched his Palace team so I don’t know if they compare to his previous Stoke sides but the improvement in results is crystal clear. I imagine that they will be looking to defend in numbers and try to stop us from playing through the middle. What is slightly reassuring is that his Stoke team picked up 0 points in the red half of North London during his time in the Premier League.

Time has caught up with me so this won’t be much of a preview this afternoon, match starts in 45 minutes and I have a list of things to do that is up to my arm before the game kicks off.

I tell you what for nothing, I would rather be playing Ian Holloway’s open Crystal Palace than Tony Pulis’s rejuvenated team. I haven’t watched his Palace team so I don’t know if they compare to his previous Stoke sides but the improvement in results is crystal clear. I imagine that they will be looking to defend in numbers and try to stop us from playing through the middle. What is slightly reassuring is that his Stoke team picked up 0 points in the red half of North London during his time in the Premier League.

Unlucky for you dear reader, I don’t believe in jinxing.

Very interesting line up.

Line Up:

Lukas Podolski is starting! To the left of Oliver Giroud. Oxlade-Chamberlain is perfered to Tomas Rosicky alongside Mikel Arteta.

I am interested to know how Cazorla performs on the right. Some interesting new things for us to look forward to.

COYG.