http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/dec/02/west-bromwich-stoke-city-match-report? Whatever anyone says about Stoke City â and the majority of football fans are anything but complimentary â it is hard not to have some respect for a team who have kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League. Their latest shutout was not pretty to watch â there should be a BBC investigation into how this game avoided the graveyard slot on Match of the Day â but the fact is that Stoke are playing winning football. A fourth victory in five games lifted them to within three points of third-placed Chelsea and gave Tony Pulis plenty to smile about afterwards, including the sight of his club above Arsenal in the table, as well as a first Premier League away win in 17 attempts and the news that Ryan Shawcross is close to agreeing a long-term contract with the club. "It's not far away," the Stoke manager said. Shawcross confirmed he has made up his mind he wants to remain with the club he joined from Manchester United, initially on loan, back in 2007. "The main reason I want to stay is the gaffer," he said. "He's been great to me throughout my time here and made me captain at a young age. I feel like he's improved me every year â and he got me into the England squad." Robert Huth has also aided his development, the German's experience at the heart of the defence helping to turn the pair into what Pulis described as "the best, or one of the best, partnerships in the Premier League". They are a rugged, uncompromising duo yet it is hard to argue with their effectiveness. With Shawcross and Huth ever-present, Stoke have conceded only 12 goals in 15 matches, a record second only to Manchester City. It was certainly a frustrating day for West Bromwich, who became the seventh club to fail to score against Stoke this season. Steve Clarke, the head coach, defended his decision to make six changes after back-to-back away trips but the end result was that Albion, with James Morrison and Peter Odemwingie on the bench, lacked creativity and penetration. Stoke offered little going forward, which has been the case for a while â they have 14 goals in those 15 games and were the Premier League's lowest scorers last season â but Dean Whitehead was ruthless when it mattered most, the substitute sweeping home after Jonas Olsson's mistake. "Some credit should go to Stoke as they do what they do well and their defence is organised and stops the other team," Albion's Hungary midfielder Zoltan Gera said. "We're disappointed but we have a chance to pick up points in our next game. I think it will be easier for us to play against Arsenal than it was to play Stoke." It is difficult to argue with that.
Last season one of my main concerns was our negative goal difference and I used this as an example of how has a team/club were not evolving, but potentially going backwards, which was supported by our low league position and -17 goal difference. However, this term we seem to have overcome this and got back to excellent defensive ways (makes you wonder even more what TP's justification was for messing around with the best CD partnership in 2011/2012?????), and if you keep a clean sheet, you cant lose, however unispiring this may seem to either Stoke fans or the generall football fan/pundit! Its hard to establish whether this defensive record is down to the defence (i.e. Back 4 & GK) or whether its down to the whole team which could be argued is set up to defend rather than score - but that is another debate for when the results don't justify the tatctics.
Well right now... The results are there and me? I'm well happy to be sitting 9th in the table and, playing more FOOTBALL to boot! Re the CD pairng surly is the nail hit squarly on the head Smither's. We all knew that Huthy and Ryan were as good, if not better than most in the league. So it's proving so far it is. Add to that, Adam and more so N'Zonzi's brilliant form. Onwards and upwards. We don't seem to sit back as deep as we used to. Which takes a lot of pressure off of Ryan and Huthy. And, Huth was, and never will be a fullback. Maybe, just maybe Tony Pulis has found more or less, out best 11 plus subs. Most of the time the subs are done at the right time and using the right player's in their best/most effective position too! Re Whitehead came on for Adam I think? and he scores, does not just sit back and hold on for what would usually be a pt. It's difficult because I will never work TP out!
It's particularly impressive considering how there's a much bigger focus on attack now. Look at most clubs and their style is based on chances / goals. Even Man United have a terrible defence.
We are having much more possession in matches which helps the defence, the new recruits are fitting in nicely.
it would nt be ugly if other teams were doin it its all about ridin the waves and seein what comes out the other end ! As for us bein above Arsnil after 15 games ... I simply dont av admiration anymore for AW .. his bleating and being such a bad loser seems to be biting him on his own arse !! What a top manager !!!! but im sorry .. other teams do av a rite to win regardles how they play .. these last few yrs all he does his moan if they lose .. i can understand that but give grace ffs
Holt, what a complete load of bollocks! Sorry to the genuine fans for using the foul language. Mod's just ban the little **** from this board. PLEASE
