Despite the Rodwell fiasco ref Atkinson has been supported by his bosses and handed our weekend match against Stoke. Not at all sure how I feel about that. He's already dished out 36 yellow and 4 red in his 10 games this season, so arguably he doesn't stand any nonsense. Nor does he on the surface appear to favour the home team. But, what will his state of mind be come this game with all the adverse publicity? Also, a real concern was the number of really bad tackles he let go unpunished in the Everton v L'Pool game after he had dismissed Rodwell. So, equally arguably, he doesn't actually stamp his authority on a game. Clearly there is history between us and Stoke and despite the media hype that this is a 'new Stoke', I doubt if many of us has many allusions about how they will approach the game. Of course we haven't been innocents ourselves this year. Both Murphy and Sidwell are good place bets to attract Atkinson's aattention. All told, not happy about him being in charge. Not that it particularly reflects on this game, or indeed Atkinson, but the last game he was our ref, he sent Gera off (v Arsenal).
'New Stoke' ... I love that. If anything, Stoke is more Stokish than ever. No surprise they bought Peter Crouch as their new center forward. Let's see if I can predict how this game will go: Stoke will play a physical game, trying to out-muscle our boys and get on the end of throws, corners, long passes and free kicks. If I were Jol, I'd play Senderos along with Hangeland. I might even consider playing Ruiz on the right - he's big, strong and fast, which would be useful on the break.
Stoke have got more quality than they are given credit for, although I'm still expecting the game to be a battle for us. As for Senderos, I think he'd be a good pick for this game, but I think he missed Switzerland's game this week having picked up an injury in training. It may well be that he doesn't make it.
I'm aware about stats being misleading but a couple relating to Stoke are kind of interesting - 1. the ball is out of play for nearly 40% of the time in games involving them. The second, obviously contributes to this and I can't remember it exactly although it was attributed to Sky. It goes something like this - 2. in a game 12 of the 90 minutes were taken up by Rory Dulap preparing himself for throw ins. In isolation, doesn't suggest that they are free-flowing, passing team. Doesn't say much either for the value for money for the paying fan - 40% of your ticket price is wasted.
There's no secret to what Stoke does or how they do it. Yet, they give even the best teams fits. But I think their strength is also their weakness. They're big and strong, but not necessary pacy. I'd guess fast teams like Villa and Liverpool have good luck against them.
I am not interested in Stokes "stats". The 3 stats i am interested in are. No injuries. No cards. We take the 3 points.
LOL, good shout Val. Stoke are hardly a total football side, but they've added quality, that can't be denied.
Umm, it's an opinion Cottagecravens, not a fact. I don't disagree with it, I'd be happy for Baird to play, but it isn't a fact. Sorry, I'm in a pedantic mood this morning (no change there, then).
I think Stoke have change their style to a mixture of passing and long ball, having said that, I still think they deliberately target players for rough treatment, and with the crowd influence it's difficult for officals to take appropriate action. Atkinson being under the microscope for the Stoke game, I would think there could well be a fair few bookings and a couple of sending offs, knowing our luck probably mostly Fulham players.
I occasionally lurk on Stoke's board, I agree with the general assessment there that they have improved their playing squad. Many Stoke fans are frustrated with Pulis for his tactics (especially away from home) - that doen't stop them being formidable opponents. I think they're much better than the caricature commonly circulated, but still a work in progress.
