New management on both sides but same old same old on the pitch Mancini may be a distant memory but this turgid display epitomised the lack of fighting spirit which ensured the premier league title being rehoused back across Manchester Stoke were first to every ball, symptomatic of the Pulis years bringing stoke from the depths of the second division to a mid table premier league side,but now appear to be progressing football wise through Hughes into a hardworking good footballing side. The excellent Nzonzi and Adam made out ultra expensive midfield look simply inadequate at times and but for Nzonzi wearing moonboots when clean through and the profligacy of Walters & kenwynne Jones,a comfortable home win was squandered by stoke and we greeted the end of the 6 added minutes with a sense of relief and a decidedly undeserved point Clearly we were missing the craft of Silva and the dominance of Kompany at the back but as ever you need to win the battles to win the war and that performance was unacceptable The prematch meal in the Stanley Matthews suite was about the only palatable part of the day Such is life as they say but good to see superman stevie Ireland back on a football pitch,hope he gets his mojo back
Well I did think we would hear from you sir. You must have been a guest today to be in the 1863 suite. Yes Stoke deserved to win. Kenwyne Jones and Walters should have scored without any doubt. Yes Man City were missing players of the calibre of Clichy, Company, De Silva but why was Lescott left on the bench? Stoke seemed to be more up for it and I was delighted with the football we played. For me it was a good game for Stoke and disappointed we only got a point, but this is a much better start that all of us on here had expected. We should have got a point at Anfield and have 8 points now but before the start of the season I would have taken 5 points by now. I am of the view that Hughes was unfairly treated at Man City and that was after 3 top ten finishes with Blackburn. At Fulham he did a good job and in the 10 months at QPR he had overseas owners who pulled the purse strings and got in any player interested in large salaries. I think Hughes will build on the job Pulis did for Stoke during his tenure. Good to hear from you and that you enjoyed the hospitality. Try the Waddington suite next time as the food is much more superior. All the best
Presumably the swathes of empty seats are a product of people being fed up watching Pulis' brand of football? If Hughes continues to get them playing like yesterday it won't be long before those who've voted with their feet are back in the stands I could never understand Pulis' tactics away from home where stoke were only ever after a point at best,I'm sure Hughes won't be as timid Carvery food in the Mathews suite was spot on by the way
I think so and I'm glad to see it actually. Even though he's left, it does show how much he affected the fans' attitude towards the game. My dad will never stop going to the games, but I think people should vote with their feet / attendance or whatever
