More possession than the home team??? ( If the BBc Stats are correct ) Three strikers at the same time away from home!!!!! Waving to the loyal travelling supporters or was he gesturing to the ref More of the same on Tuesday ( their defence can be shaky ) or park the bus on the Stretford End??? SiS
SIS, Statistics are actually correct for this game, we did have the ball more than Derby. For the first 15 minutes we actually looked very accomplished, but then passes started to go astray, the ball bounced off anyone trying to control it. All game we had 4 players on whom you would consider to be forwards- Etherington,Jones, Crouch, Walters, then Pennant,Jones, Fuller,Walters. To be honest it was a professional performance, nothing more or less. Etherington , Walters & Crouch spent over 60% of their time operating in the Stoke half; to me it was only when Pennant & Jones came on that we really looked like adding to what at the time was a 1-0 scoreline. There was also a good cameo from Ric (who should have been awarded a penalty). The midfield of Whelan & Whitehead struggled to play a meaningful forward pass all game, and Etherington only beat his man once (and was promptly substituted). I really think Marshall should at least be on the bench, if only to give us an option on the left, and to possibly remind Matty that he needs to up his game. Anyway,any premier side worth its salt, should be capable of beating a Div 2 side - especially so long as they "work aard"!
Fair comments Swervy and I agree wholeheartedly with the above. What I could not understand yesterday was that we were not actually looking to play the ball to Ethers and instead we were always looking to feed Walters on the right wing instead. I thought Whitehead played his usual game running around kicking anything that moved without laying on a defence splitting pass that he could have done on a few occasions but chose not to and stopped and back tracked instead. Derby were obviously very wary of Stoke and that's how we come to score so early on. I think after the goal we just sat back as the Pulis brainwash tactic then kicked in to defend what we had. Like is said above it was not until Pennant and Ric came on that we looked hungry for another goal. Jones was useless as ever and was continually looking for a foul for a push in the back. He seriously needs to man up! Good display though and a good away win can't fault it so well done the lads.
Swervy and Waddo That is just about perfect guys. Radio comm's said almost word for word the above. Deano IMO worries too much about not losing, rather than actually doing somthing positive when has the ball. Jones enough said hardly heard his name until, I think I heard them say. "For a tug on KJ" A bit surpirsed that Matty came off and just one other thing lads. DID Pennant actually walk towards the tunnel with T.P. having to pull him back and salute the away fans. THAT is what it sounded like on the tranny but as I know only too well. It's never like that if you "Are there"... Oh and Waddo I left a comment on one of those brilliant pics mate. Just glad there not seen on here. lol Cheers for the best views on the game, two fans who can say "I was there WELL DONE You did us Proud lads"
Cheers Potts!! much appreciated mucker! Didn't see the Pennant incident too far at the other end but if true he should be ashamed not to applaud after we took so many fans! There were Stokies every where not just in the away end. I reckon we easily took in excess of 6,000
Thanks Waddo Re Pennant, I guess it was something n nowt as per usual. Glad to hear that the lad made an inpact, at least it shows he cares and well done to him. As reagards Ehters going down the tunnel having a hissy fit as reported. T.P. said, I like players who don't like being taken off. Hope as T.P. said.. I had OT in mind and matty unknown to TP was carrying some niggle but Dave Kemp told him during the game.... Nice one the team management team NOT!
Chaps, Re Pennant- he was one of the first to come to the Stoke fans at the end of the game (OK only to the edge of the Penalty area,) but he was definiteley there applauding the fans - whether TP then made him return I did'nt notice, but he certainly did not go down the tunnel without previously acknowledging the fans.
Swervy Thanks matie.. NICE to hear that WELL done Jermaine Pennant. Our comm Nigel "the voice" Johnson was confusing me/us again. Swervy I didn't know wheather he was coming or going tbh.. thanks for the inside info on the game too! Hope you get your'e ticket for the Crawley game YOU deserve ONE.. heard our lot singing all game.. fantastic as ALWAYS!
Thanks Potts, I think it may be a struggle to get a ticket for Crawley - I believe it's pretty close to Gatwick, so if we can get tickets it will be a bit of a day out; to be fair I rckon the guys who went to Gillingham should be offered first opportunity to the Crawley tickets ( I did not go to Gillingham!). I see that TP is "bemoaning" the tough draw- well, he needs to motivate the players to make sure that there are no slip ups - or perhaps he would have preferred Chelsea away?
