was obvious before the 'January window' closed (or even opened) that we needed a centre back .. instead we got 3 midfielders .. we are now 4 points above the relegation spots and we have Forest in midweek and (like us when we were right in form) they have just beaten Leeds .. the consolation is, Stoke have an expensively assembled side and have been in cracking form recently, just like Forest ..
I think most of this has already been said, but there were too many players in the starting 11 who seemed uncomfortable playing on the deck today. Pratley and Davis looked combative, but the ball invariably then got played long by whoever picked it up, which didn't trouble the Stoke back line much at all.
The Charlton goal came from a cracking footballing move. And a second one towards the end nearly came from another intricate bit of work from Oztumer, with Taylor narrowly putting it wide.
Of that starting 11, id say only Cullen, Williams, Green and maybe Taylor are truly comfortable knocking it around on the deck. The rest were/ are at times like a rabbit in front of headlights, allowing mediocre teams like Stoke to look good.
Maybe that's a bit harsh and Bowyer sees different from them in training, but for me the game was lost today by a lack of bravery from some to play some pass and move football.
was obvious before the 'January window' closed (or even opened) that we needed a centre back .. instead we got 3 midfielders .. we are now 4 points above the relegation spots and we have Forest in midweek and (like us when we were right in form) they have just beaten Leeds .. the consolation is, Stoke have an expensively assembled side and have been in cracking form recently, just like Forest ..
Centre-back would have been lovely, but you can also help your defence by having a side that keeps the ball for a bit and the pressure off the back four.
They are constantly up against it.
5-3-2 is a good way to protect them a bit especially on tough away days. Also means you get Sarr's distribution, which is desperately needed.
was obvious before the 'January window' closed (or even opened) that we needed a centre back .. instead we got 3 midfielders .. we are now 4 points above the relegation spots and we have Forest in midweek and (like us when we were right in form) they have just beaten Leeds .. the consolation is, Stoke have an expensively assembled side and have been in cracking form recently, just like Forest ..
Never mind mate, keep up the optimism. We're not going to lose to Forest.
Red flags all over the place after the Barnsley win. Yes we got 3 points but I thought we were poor especially in the 2nd half and were playing hoof ball. Sounds like we were poor again today.
This. The result was all that mattered last week but we were really, really poor. It’s ok to say our home record will see us through but 3 points from 36 away from home is absolutely dreadful and puts even more pressure on our home form. The fact is we don’t create enough chances and therefore don’t score enough goals. That in itself puts pressure on the defence which isn’t capable of not conceding. Practically everyone is fit now so no excuses. Time to perform.
was obvious before the 'January window' closed (or even opened) that we needed a centre back .. instead we got 3 midfielders .. we are now 4 points above the relegation spots and we have Forest in midweek and (like us when we were right in form) they have just beaten Leeds .. the consolation is, Stoke have an expensively assembled side and have been in cracking form recently, just like Forest ..
Never mind mate, keep up the optimism. We're not going to lose to Forest.
was obvious before the 'January window' closed (or even opened) that we needed a centre back .. instead we got 3 midfielders .. we are now 4 points above the relegation spots and we have Forest in midweek and (like us when we were right in form) they have just beaten Leeds .. the consolation is, Stoke have an expensively assembled side and have been in cracking form recently, just like Forest ..
Never mind mate, keep up the optimism. We're not going to lose to Forest.
Watching the replays 100% Matthews at fault for the first. He’s marking Maclean. As the ball comes in Maclean runs towards the near post while Matthews plants his feet and watch the ball fly over his head, jaw flapping like it’s a fly past from red arrows or something. Ball comes back across and Matthews is. nowhere near Maclean who had a tap in.
If Lyle had done his defensive duties and marked Powell properly from the free kick it would never have got to Maclean.
Alright, 75% Matthews fault then. Lyle loses out but is at least running with his man and attempting to challenge for the ball. Matthews is just day dreaming, I’d be more forgiving if he’s close to Maclean but loses out.
He’s doing similar later on when he fails to push out and hold the line, possibly playing Ince onside for their second. Heavily culpable in two goals against today.
We needed to do more in the transfer window. Maybe ESI didn’t have the money to force it but fact is we had a month to basically try and buy our way out of trouble as the squad we have is gonna be close to the wire.
As I say if they didn’t have the money they didn’t have the money - but I wanted to see us get a massive injection of quality and we didn’t do enough
50 years I’ve waited to go to Stoke, what a let down!
I went to Stoke boxing day 1979 when we were riding high in the old division 2 and we got hammered 4-1 and went downhill after. That had a lasting effect on me to the point I did not do the Valley Pass live stream today because I was fearing the worse.
After watching us at Preston I felt very negative and convinced we were going down. Beating Barnsley kicked me into life again but today was absolutely awful. Firstly, Bowyer got the tactics wrong today - the pitch felt like it shrunk every time we got the ball. Secondly, where was the commitment - why didn't we win or compete for second balls. Lastly, Cullen is the only midfielder who tries to play football on the deck and shows for the ball when the defence have it. I'm sick of us lumping it long but what do we expect if the midfield all go into hiding and don't move!! So frustrating, there's no options when we have the ball because of the lack of movement.
I'm looking forward to Forrest because I don't think we can possibly play any worst.
Edit: Williams also tries to play football but we were so bad at passing from the back he barely touched the ball.
was obvious before the 'January window' closed (or even opened) that we needed a centre back .. instead we got 3 midfielders .. we are now 4 points above the relegation spots and we have Forest in midweek and (like us when we were right in form) they have just beaten Leeds .. the consolation is, Stoke have an expensively assembled side and have been in cracking form recently, just like Forest ..
Never mind mate, keep up the optimism. We're not going to lose to Forest.
was obvious before the 'January window' closed (or even opened) that we needed a centre back .. instead we got 3 midfielders .. we are now 4 points above the relegation spots and we have Forest in midweek and (like us when we were right in form) they have just beaten Leeds .. the consolation is, Stoke have an expensively assembled side and have been in cracking form recently, just like Forest ..
Never mind mate, keep up the optimism. We're not going to lose to Forest.
I sincerely hope so .. even a point will do
Stay up this season, another big struggle next season.
Comments
Also, LB needs to stop sticking with Pearce.
The Charlton goal came from a cracking footballing move. And a second one towards the end nearly came from another intricate bit of work from Oztumer, with Taylor narrowly putting it wide.
Of that starting 11, id say only Cullen, Williams, Green and maybe Taylor are truly comfortable knocking it around on the deck. The rest were/ are at times like a rabbit in front of headlights, allowing mediocre teams like Stoke to look good.
Maybe that's a bit harsh and Bowyer sees different from them in training, but for me the game was lost today by a lack of bravery from some to play some pass and move football.
They are constantly up against it.
5-3-2 is a good way to protect them a bit especially on tough away days. Also means you get Sarr's distribution, which is desperately needed.
Oh dear.
He’s doing similar later on when he fails to push out and hold the line, possibly playing Ince onside for their second. Heavily culpable in two goals against today.
As I say if they didn’t have the money they didn’t have the money - but I wanted to see us get a massive injection of quality and we didn’t do enough
I'm looking forward to Forrest because I don't think we can possibly play any worst.
Edit: Williams also tries to play football but we were so bad at passing from the back he barely touched the ball.