and it may be that my view is distorted because I can not watch us "live" but from 1 What I saw on my poor stream ( interrupted by Spanish adverts ) 2 Comments from Trevor Francis ( normally fairly balanced ) on the stream and 3 BBC stats We had slightly less possession ( at home against the poorest team in the league ) and could have lost if QPR had taken their chances Thus if my view is a fair representation then not a performance to inspire optimism but we may stay out of the bottom 3 because they are worse And WTF was Clulis doing replacing Adam with Whitehead Presumably his usual sad tactic of trying to hang on Does the sad T**T not realise that Deano can give away a pen or dangerous free kick at any time with his robust clumsy mistimed tackles but especially in the last few minutes if we are under pressure Will be very intested in the views of those loyal fans who paid hard earned money to be there SiS
SIS, from whay I heard from the BBC commentator at the Brit we were pretty uninspiring yet again. I was hoping for a strong attacking display, after all we were playing a poor team at home. Yes we won but scoring even against poor opposition appears to be hard work and I fear we will struggle all season with the current formation and tactics. I await to watch on MOTD and to read the views of supporters who were there today. A much needed 3 pts.
I thought at times today we played some great football. Unfortunately, those times were very few and far between. At least we didn't hoof it as much as we have in the last two games. QPR looked good with the ball until they approached our box when they suddenly looked inept and clueless. Begovic only had a couple of saves to make and while we had less chances than them, at least we made Cesar work a bit harder than Begovic had to. According to the BBC stats we had 51% possession, which surprised me as I thought they had more of the ball. I was worried when the substitutions were made, especially Adam coming off, but my mate told me he saw Adam limping after the final whistle, so maybe it was necessary. I'm just glad we got the three points and now have another win under our belts. There are glimpses of a good team who are able to play some lovely flowing football, but we still have a habit of giving away possession too easily. On the positive side, we have the best home defensive record of any team in the league and if that record continues we will be picking up more valuable points at home. I'm not worried about this season, yet, but I am slightly nervous!
SIS, I agree we need to be far more convincing at home against the less fancied teams in the prem. We just shaded posession but they had more shots and they missed a sitter by trying to chip the goalie just before half time according to my commentary at least. We could have lost that game as easily as won it so unless "that man" is trying to flatter to deceive fingers need to be pulled out.
QPR were shocking to be honest and their league position a fair assessment of where they should be. Cisse and Taarabt falling out going forward, Ferdinhand should have been arrested for sexual assault on Crouch as he was holding onto him that much. Their only decent player for me was Hoilett but Cameron coped with him well. Talking of Cameron he had 2 good runs forward and 2 shots on goal, 1 more than our forward Jonny Walters! Adams looked exhausted and totally unfit and looks like he could do with losing a stone to be honest. His legs had gone that's why the muppet Whitehead was bought on. Totally agree with the above as regards Whitehead he is a total liability and should be no where near our box. Booked within minutes of coming on! Jones is a disgrace to pull on a Stoke top and to take the wages he does he should be arrested for theft. Kightly could have put us 2 up and should have done to be fair. Cracking shot on goal that was blocked. Poor performance again with one or two neat little moves but hey ho we got the 3 points against probably the worst side in the prem. Song of the day for me was to Cisse " you're just a **** Balotelli" made me laugh that one followed by the one I was expecting all game "sacked in the morning" just have to love the Stoke fans!!! QPR are certain for the drop. Still think Stoke will be ok as we are picking up points so far this season where we didn't last season. I think if we got shut of Whelan and Whitehead and bought in two more quality midfielders, a left back and someone that can hit the net we will be ok!
Another poor game at home and the customary negative 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1 either way it doesn't work as can be seen by our lack of opportunities in front of goal. Although QPR look good on paper they are a terrible team which makes our performance all the more disappointing and there was a spell in the game where they could have scored a few if they had been more clinical! However, results count and we got 3 points so we can't moan - I for one am consistent when assessing and judging points/wins as the true barometer rather than some who hide behind "we are playing better football" bollocks! My continued concern would be the subs and whilst some have tried to justify with knocks, injuries or fitness the fundamental decision making of the manager is woeful! Starting with 1 winger, not subbing Walters for another winger, bringing a defensive player on for a Adam and allowing KJ on the pitch all at the expense of better alternatives reaffirms the cluelessness! At this stage points are all that matter so good job lads! Onwards and upwards but I doubt it.
As promised a few comments from yesterday. I thought that it was good to see that TP saw within 15 minutes that we were not balanced in midfield and tried to change things by moving Adam out to the right. Complete waste in my mind. However from that position he did score the winner. Did not agree with Adam's substitution. But we have all learnt to expect that! I am sorry but Walters just not read what Crouch will do with the ball. He lacks imagination and just does not get close enough to back Crouchie up. I also think that Crouchie was not given any sort of protection by the referee throughout the game. We did not create enough but there was some really good football at times. The interchange between Cameron, Adam and N'Zonzi creating the chance for Crouch was the best move of the whole game. Pity Ferdinand got his boot to it as I thought it was goalbound! the ball into Adam from which he struck a sweet leftfooted drive was another highlight of the first half which to be fair was scrappy. Just before half time I thought the team switched off and could have gone in a goal down. The second half was better and very pleased to see Adam get the monkey off his back with his first goal. TO be honest I thought that QPR deserved a point for the way they played. Their main problem would seem to be converting opportunities into goals. Same could be said for us though! I do think they will move up the table but with 2 away games coming up after their next game at home to Southampton they need points desparately. For Stoke, I thought there was a lack of confidence but trust that this win may well give them the boost they need to move forward. Yes it was not the best performance by a long way but I thought it Wilko, Cameron and Begovic played very well. It was also interesting to see Cameron play at left back in the second half. So moving forward to West Ham. A tough Monday night. They may be over confident after their win today. We are well overdue a win and I hope that this will be it! I will be there as a nice local game for me! Keep cheering the Potters on and SIS, as I have said before we will be supporting the Red & White stripes long after TP. PS I also thought it was very interesting article in the Oatcake about TP's 10 years!
Tenter, Good post as usual. I think we will be lucky to get much out of the West ham game in fact it would be optimistic to even think of a draw unless there is a vast improvement between now and then.
Jowler we wud do well to improve between now and then but it is clearly going to be a very tuff game ... west ham are doing well .. but if we could go out and play like we did at manure we wud stand a great chance ........... confidence is a wonderful thing This stoke team can play ... confidence cud decide the result They are clearly doing well away win at castle .. no easy task..i just wonder if the Europa is taking its toll on the given teams that are in it .. we all know how tuff it was for us last season . So perhaps castle result was a little easier for them .. i just hope we can av a go at em ... Its on sky !! Im avin a travel day off lol
Potter, You could be right about the Europe games, I hadn't thought of it to be honest, with a bit of luck they will be overconfident and we can nick it.
