1st Term Report

I think it’s fair to say that it has been a disappointing start to the season. Whilst 8 points from 7 games isn’t catastrophic (it would equate to circa 44 points on the season), given the opposition we have faced I don’t think there would be many a Stoke fan that were over the moon.

Having faced Aston Villa, Leicester & Newcastle at home – most would have expected 7 (ish) points, but the reality was a nervy 3 points against Newcastle and only 1 home goal so far in the league. The away form seems better on paper, having faced Hull, Man City, QPR & Sunderland and acquired 5 points. However, if we take into account that Hull were down to 10 men and we held a lead at QPR (who I feel will be relegated) it could probably be viewed more as 4 points dropped.

We have to be realistic, having spent practically zilch (Net) in the transfer window we are effectively continuing with the backbone of a team which is ageing in an ever competitive league and with weak links that probably wouldn’t make into any of the other premier league teams. Is this an excuse, probably not – but it is a reason and one that we need to take into consideration.

The new additions have been positive but I do feel a sense of apprehension coming over me. Assaidi and Arnie have yet to settle back in, and Moses and Diouf look to be out for 4 weeks – maybe even longer. Their strength is the creation and pace they bring the team and without it I can foresee a struggle – which reiterates that we should have achieved more from the opposition we have faced to date.

What can Hughes do? The possession stats are good and we are in general creating more opportunities than in years gone by – we simply can’t convert. Maybe he should put on a pair of boots himself – I don’t know? Defensively there are no excuses, a team doesn’t forget how to defend and he must address this issue ASAP. We have the players, we have the ability and we can probably play a choice of defensive line ups yet he has retained Shawx & Wilson at the centre of what I would call a traditional back 4. We need Huth back to sure up a defence that must be weakened mentally by the goals they have conceded.

It’s time for him to find his best eleven and stick with it like he did last year.

 

A reasonable summary of the season so far, Smithers. On paper I thought the squad was an improvement on last seasons with the additions of Diouf, Bojan and Moses. However injuries to Moses and Diouf are a blow and Bojan has not, as yet, settled to life in the PL. We have played some good football and had lots of possession but failure to take chances created have cost us points and defensively we don't seem to be as solid as we ought to be and we have concede some soft goals as a result. A great win at the Etihad has been cancelled out by defeats against Villa/Leics at home and Sunderland away last week-end. Whilst we cannot be expected to get a result every game, we need to do better against the teams around us and we perhaps could have gained more points by now. Having said that we are just one win from 4th spot currently, so not too concerned at the moment. However, when do the 'early days' finish? We have the squad to avoid being in a relegation fight but when do we expect things to fall into place? Thoughts welcomed.

 

Yup...that works for me Smithers

My main criticism is that Hughes still does not appear to know his best team.

Considering we are lumbered with the 'flying'W's

Wilson, Whelan and Walters who would not get into any other PL team.
Chuck in Bardsley - I thought we were over signing Sunderland has-beens and Sidwell we are carrying 5 pretty useless performers - in my opinion.

Hey ho...it's never been easy supporting Stoke

 

I have said for a long time that we have aquired a number of players who struggle at this level. I do believe that both Hughes and the club would have liked to off load several players. but its very difficult to trim a squad with little or no enquires for the said players.

Whilst the Bardsley signing was not a step forward and seemed strange considering Geoff's performances todate, there does appear to be something bumbling behind the scenes it may have been just a simple cover signing - I do agree that the Sidwell signing was a pretty pointless one though.

My concern is that we will struggle to add value in the next transfer window because of the over inflated prices.

 

Ain't that the truth mate.

Hopefully soon the bubble will burst and we can get football back that is FOR the fans and.not SKY etc

 

Being a Stoke supporter means you have a cross to bear. That cross is to accept that our team will , times without number , raise your hopes , only to dash them with an unwanted performance. What results were we reasonably expecting before the games against Villa , Leicester , Sunderland - Win , Win , Draw , but instead of 7 points we got 0. Against Hull and QPR , we could reasonably have expected 4 points , we got 2. Add the 10-man Hull result to Newcastle and we get 2 expected results from these 6 matches.
The other match we have played also gave us an unexpected result , but that win against M. City , was only a preparation for us to be let down in later games.
Yes we have a cross to bear , but it's worth it , for the privilege of being a Stoke supporter - BY FAR THE GREATEST TEAM , THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN

 

I sometimes think that over the years KKB, that Stoke have been privileged to have the supporters that we are !!

My old adage mate; it is ALWAYS the hope that kills you.

 

.....but without hope there is nothing!

 

Hope springs eternal from the human breast