Season Review

[Smithers]

End of season review.

Now that the season has finished I thought we could review the season as a whole. I think we should try and look at the positives as well as the negatives and analyse what worked and what didn’t. In a year in which we skirted with relegation (as did many others), was this the point in which we were found out or did we just not “get the luck we deserved”?

Below is the historical information for our premier league journey and how the 5 year plan has developed.

Season Pos Pts Wins GF GD Pts Clear GF Pos
2008/2009 12[SUP]th[/SUP] 45 12 38 -17 +9 15[SUP]th[/SUP]
2009/2010 11[SUP]th[/SUP] 47 11 34 -14 +17 19[SUP]th[/SUP]
2010/2011 13[SUP]th[/SUP] 46 13 46 -2 +7 14[SUP]th[/SUP]
2011/2012 14[SUP]th[/SUP] 45 11 36 -17 +9 20[SUP]th[/SUP]
2012/2013 13[SUP]th[/SUP] 42 9 34 -11 +6 19[SUP]th[/SUP]

The above makes interesting reading, and I suppose it’s no coincidence that we won more games (13) in 2010/2011 when we scored our highest amount of goals (46) and had our best GD (-2). It also highlights that we have reverted to our equal lowest GF since we entered the league (34) and given the money that has been invested in the forward line in recent years this would indicate a fundamental flaw in our philosophy.

So, if you would kindly rate the season and point out the positives and negatives, it would be interesting to see what the general consensus is.

 

[Smithers]

Its difficult to be constructive and critical at the same time, especially trying to put emotions to one side - here goes.

Positive:
Nzonzi - Excellent player with real potential, and held us together at times. Looked almost too good for Stoke at times and I think we may struggle to hold onto him if the midfield issues are not resolved. A typical TP type player, but this one worked and we could build on him even under TP.
Begovic - Kept us in games at times and kept the results respectful at others. Grown in stature and is destined for big things - Great buy by TP (even though we alomost lost him in his first year) but likely to move on.
Huth & Shawx - On their day still one of the best CD pairings, but starting to be exposed due to our insistence on inviting pressure and our resistence as a club to play out from the back. They will likely attract interest in the Summer as clubs try and take advantage of any player/manager unrest.
Jerome - Didnt like him when he played for Brum and felt it was a waste of 4 million quid. However, he was one of very few forward players (if not the only one) to inject pace and direct runs on the opposition and as a team we looked more likely to score when he was on. Often played out of position and left isolated at times and will probably look elsewhere in the summer to get more first team football in his natural role.
Cameron - Looked good early season (when we were playing well) and was probably our only defender who could/would carry the ball forward. Overlapped well (when allowed) and looked the part. Obviously feel out of favour with TP and will proabably be dissapointed to not finish the season how he started.

I think we played much better (in general) against the so called bigger teams and when we played - we played well and we looked like the team of old.

Negatives:

I am not going to go through individual players because its pointless.
We lacked creativity and some players just didnt perform or didnt get their opportunity.
Ethrington/Pennant/Adam either not being fit, not being selected or being played out of position technically ruined the DNA of how Stoke have played since being promoted.
Lack of corners and hence the lack of dead ball set plays.
34 (0.89 per game) Goals scored is horrendous and was only bettered by QPR who finished bottom. It is equal to our first season campaign and highlights the fundemental issue we have. We have spent the best part of 40 million since promotion on our forward line and responsibilty has to be taken by the manager. All the strikers cant be ****, if they were then the managers buying policy is wrong.
Still no Full backs or young players being given the opportunity. The game has moved on and we lack pace - we need to adapt to be competitive.
Tony Pulis's lack of empathy (or respect depending on how you view it) with the fan base.

 

[nickyb]

That is an excellent summary Smithers.

As I have been unable to see them 'live' for a long time now, I don't feel comfortable about giving a detailed overview as yourself.

From what I have seen on live streams, I wouldn't argue with your positive/negative remarks. You are correct, there is no point in 'slamming' the usual suspects, nor the manager. Nothing more to be said.

The player who impressed me the most (albeit on the TV) apart from Begovic & Nzonzi was Wilson. He looks a very good player, if played in his correct position I think he will get even better.

Tin hat time, I thought that Walters had a half decent season, scored some good goals at vital times and never gave less than 100%.

3/10 (as voted) - Must try smarter, not harder

 

[Redandwhite12044]

Its been a weird season because even when we were on that unbeaten run b4 xmas I still thought it was flattering us and in sum games it was more luck than judgement that we got pts from it.
As has be repeated for months I cant say I have enjoyed watchin us this season , the only exception was the Liverpool game where I thought on the night we were great. We just never recreated anything like that level of intensity for the rest of the season. After the villa game I thought we were certain go down but fair play the lads stuck in there to drag themselves over the line.
One,things for sure a lot needs doin in the,closed season with lots of changes needed to just keep us in the league nxt season. I do feel we have,quality in the squad but some wellknown weaknesses.if we can add to that and get a balanced team for once plug a,few holes we can play better quality football and hopefully improve. We just need the right direction

 

[Smithers]

The player who impressed me the most (albeit on the TV) apart from Begovic & Nzonzi was Wilson. He looks a very good player, if played in his correct position I think he will get even better.

Tin hat time, I thought that Walters had a half decent season, scored some good goals at vital times and never gave less than 100%.

3/10 (as voted) - Must try smarter, not harder

Wilson has been solid since his arrival and it was a shame he picked up that injury when he did. Would prefer to see him play has a holding midfielder with Nzonzi wher his lack of pace wouldnt be expossed. Re Walters - its dificult to slate someone who has been run into the ground for the last 3 seasons, but finishing as Stoke top scorere on 8 goals (and the designated penalty taker) reflects our issue as a club and with the quality or lack of we have in certain areas. Super Jon for effort but not so super for quality - not his fault - he just isnt good enough or fast enough to play every minute of every game (more or less). He is a model professional and would probably be in my squad and play in the cup runs.

 

[Pottermouth 328]

Smithers
That is a brilliant summary IMHO..
Positives!
Begovic for me, the best keeper in the League because so many times he has kept us in games and some of his saves were simply "World Class"
Wilson, I worried when we first signed him but to be asked to play full back he did a great job and only a couple of times did he let the team down.
N'Zonzi Our best outfield player by a long way without him, Beggers and Wilson I think we would have gone down this season. He is "A class above the rest on his day"
We stayed up!
Jerome It no coincidence that for 3 games running he played with Crouch up front and we beat QPR, Norwich and drew with Sunderland?

Negatives.
Where to start I'm with Stokie lad never did I think we would get of the the BLIP we we're in? Since the QPR game I can't really complain. But the question for me is still the same. WHY could be not perform like that for so long? I put it down to one man Tony Pulis. He is too negative and I want him to leave ASAP because I want to renew my Season Ticket. Like Stoke Lad I want to see more football.
We need at least one full back TWO out and out wingers and maybe if Crouch/Jones leave another goal scorer.... a Stein like player who knows where the net is. Not a six ft plus giant. This would mean we could play it wide or through the middle via N'Zonzi and Adam... just my thoughts overall I'm voting for No 3/10

 

[jowlermonkey]

Well said Smithers, think that would be the view of most fans, What Potts said is good we need to have the right players in the right positions fullbacks and wingers to create more opportunities. I think we need to get some youngsters on the pitch, and a good clear out starting with Pulis.

 

[ricc full]

To be honest I cant be arsed with stats etc, I go off what I watch with my own eyes and this season apart from a couple of games we have been terrible and in my eyes the worst team in the prem. Its embarassing to watch a lot of the time. I have said on here and always will that its performances that will move the club forwards and with how tP sets up we will never get performances. Another manager would have got us to 50 points this season im certain, and we have only just managed to limp to 42. At the moment we are a joke of a club and need a massive change in management or face another woeful season and If TP stays I think we will be one of the favourites to go down. Yes my post is very negative especially considering that we have stayed up, but to think that I have got to watch another season like that depresses the **** out of me.

 

[Smithers]

I think its valid mate, sometimes it is best to go on what the eye sees and how you feel - I have no arguments with that mate. I feel as concerned as you mate that if significant changes are not made we will be struggling from the off next season. In relation to stats the fact that we won 3 games less and scored 4 goals less than in our first year shows how far we havent come.

 

[koskikabow]

I am in a generous mood so 3/10
From an enjoyment angle , how many games from this season would you want to watch again ? . . . .EXACTLY!

Bookies don't take chances , so because "better the devil you know" , I think Cluelis will still be here next season.

If that is so , even he must realise that this close-season is a time when he MUST make good buys , ( and prefarably a goodbye )

But , failing the last phrase , most urgent is that he attends a football skills training course , a use of substitutes training course , a match tactics training course , a man-management training course , an anger-management course , and a public-relations training course so that he can appreciate the fans, ( who ultimately pay his wages )

Pulis out!

 

[ricc full]

I am in a generous mood so 3/10
From an enjoyment angle , how many games from this season would you want to watch again ? . . . .EXACTLY!

Bookies don't take chances , so because "better the devil you know" , I think Cluelis will still be here next season.

If that is so , even he must realise that this close-season is a time when he MUST make good buys , ( and prefarably a goodbye )

But , failing the last phrase , most urgent is that he attends a football skills training course , a use of substitutes training course , a match tactics training course , a man-management training course , an anger-management course , and a public-relations training course so that he can appreciate the fans, ( who ultimately pay his wages )

Pulis out!

this I like!!

 

[drewstoke]

Difficult team to watch this yr .caught between two different ways of playing,players playing out of position.too many times resorting to defending a1-0 lead.strangelyplayed well against big teams was this motivation issues.some players simply not good enough.with the current system i could not see the wisdom of not playing proper wingers.hope for some improvement in the clubs dealings in the transfer market. youth and pace required to play well in the modern game. positives were begovic immense goalie.Nzonsi shows class and composure on the ball.

 

[Smithers]

Drew - Welcome and good constructive comments - hope you keep posting.