Because we can't change the penalty decision and I'm pissed off just thinking about it...
I've got a few things:
- we weren't bullied at all today, which was impressive- I thought it was interesting that Lambert removed our two most creative (and smaller) players, to make sure we could match up physically. That showed in the number of chances we created, but realistically was just the sort of tactic needed and should have won us the game
- defensively I thought were all great (Naughton a highlight, especially in the first half when he was able to attack more). Ayala was wobbly on his debut, but it was the worst possible timing for him.
- strikers: Morison didn't feature (but I thought was solid) and Holt was good, but may rapidly become the most hated striker in the league for how easily he goes to ground. Sometimes I thought he should have stayed on his feet and not stop the flow of the game. Also, his touch still isn't up to scratch and he gave the ball away more than anyone else I can think of. Chris Martin was obviously picked because he's a bit of a psycho and I thought he was our best striker today. Felt sorry for Jackson as he just chased hoof-ball to the corner.
- midfielders were good. First half Bradley Johnson looked in complete control of the game and was amazing, but second half wasn't so obvious (did anyone else think he picked up a bit of a knock after a couple of hard tackles on him and he faded after that?) I thought Pilkington and Bennett were great and losing Pilkington to bring on Ayala, while obviously necessary, meant we lost a player who caused the Stoke defence different sorts of problems than Holt/Morison. Just goes to show the impact a sending off has on all parts of the pitch. Surman worked well with Tierney, but obviously didn't get a chance to do much as we were just defending (the elbow in his head was a definite foul though).
- My main criticism today would be our game plan after the sending off. I thought for most of the match we looked assured in possession, so I'm not quite sure why we kept hoofing the ball up the pitch (this mostly happened in the last fifteen minutes). All it seemed to do was allow Stoke to throw another attack in quickly and I wasn't surprised that eventually they did find the net because of the sheer number of times they got it into our penalty area. I would have preferred it if we'd knocked the ball around a bit in midfield/defence to waste more time and then only got rid of it if under real pressure. Having said that, the way we shut the game down after the sending off was admirable- and sets us apart from Blackpool last year- showing that with eleven men I have no doubt we'd be able to hold onto a winning position when needed.
What's everyone's thoughts on my assessment?
I've got a few things:
- we weren't bullied at all today, which was impressive- I thought it was interesting that Lambert removed our two most creative (and smaller) players, to make sure we could match up physically. That showed in the number of chances we created, but realistically was just the sort of tactic needed and should have won us the game
- defensively I thought were all great (Naughton a highlight, especially in the first half when he was able to attack more). Ayala was wobbly on his debut, but it was the worst possible timing for him.
- strikers: Morison didn't feature (but I thought was solid) and Holt was good, but may rapidly become the most hated striker in the league for how easily he goes to ground. Sometimes I thought he should have stayed on his feet and not stop the flow of the game. Also, his touch still isn't up to scratch and he gave the ball away more than anyone else I can think of. Chris Martin was obviously picked because he's a bit of a psycho and I thought he was our best striker today. Felt sorry for Jackson as he just chased hoof-ball to the corner.
- midfielders were good. First half Bradley Johnson looked in complete control of the game and was amazing, but second half wasn't so obvious (did anyone else think he picked up a bit of a knock after a couple of hard tackles on him and he faded after that?) I thought Pilkington and Bennett were great and losing Pilkington to bring on Ayala, while obviously necessary, meant we lost a player who caused the Stoke defence different sorts of problems than Holt/Morison. Just goes to show the impact a sending off has on all parts of the pitch. Surman worked well with Tierney, but obviously didn't get a chance to do much as we were just defending (the elbow in his head was a definite foul though).
- My main criticism today would be our game plan after the sending off. I thought for most of the match we looked assured in possession, so I'm not quite sure why we kept hoofing the ball up the pitch (this mostly happened in the last fifteen minutes). All it seemed to do was allow Stoke to throw another attack in quickly and I wasn't surprised that eventually they did find the net because of the sheer number of times they got it into our penalty area. I would have preferred it if we'd knocked the ball around a bit in midfield/defence to waste more time and then only got rid of it if under real pressure. Having said that, the way we shut the game down after the sending off was admirable- and sets us apart from Blackpool last year- showing that with eleven men I have no doubt we'd be able to hold onto a winning position when needed.
What's everyone's thoughts on my assessment?
