Stoke City vs. Southampton: Opposition threat
By Luke Dennis
Joe Allen
Now I know it is interesting how Xherdan Shaqiri misses out on this list, but you just don’t know if he really wants it or not, but with Joe Allen you know he’ll give 110%.
Being a Liverpool supporter I love seeing the ‘Welsh Xavi’ do well, and at Stoke he has rediscovered his Swansea form. He is such a neat and tidy player and his role in the middle of the park controlling Mario Lemina will be paramount in Stoke’s performance.
Fraser Forster has shown already this season that he struggles with players that are poachers in the box – Joe Allen could be a problem for him tomorrow.
Standing at just five-foot-six, the Southampton defenders won’t have to worry about him winning headers in the box, but they will have to remember to pick him up, without doubt.
Shaqiri of course deserves a mention ahead of the game, as he is one of Stoke’s best players, but I just have a hunch Joe Allen will outshine the winger with an excellent display in the middle of the park.