Firstly I was disappointed with the home turnout. Secondly, TP was quite again - I commented on this a couple of gams back. It wasnt the greatest of games and although man City had the lions share they didnt look convincing. I thought Huth and Shawx were excellent, but to fair I cant think of any other Stoke player who made a positive contirbution. I have been highly critical of TP as of late for not playing with 2 wingers and full backs, but today he did which I was very suprised at. Sorenson will be disappointed to have been beaten at the near post like that and I cringed at the Whelan tackle. Although I didnt think he made contact at the time (The replay suggests otherwise) it looked full of intent and should have been a red. Walters got his 90 minutes... All in all a poor game in general. I also read that TP hasnt watch a re run of the FA Cup final against man City - explains alot!
Watched the game on TV Smithers and there were a lot of empty seats. Was that because of the weather or the fact that it was televised live? The game today as I saw it: TP appeared to select an attacking side with 2 wingers and Walters up front with Jones. However Kightly/Ethers did not get out wide and therefore crosses were non-existent and the service to Jones was poor. Kightly and Shotton were very poor and the tactics were negative despite his team selection. Full back recruitment is a priority. JP must be on his way out because he ought to have been on today to provide crosses. I don't know where we go from here.
Well said guys both of you. Not too dissapointed and your'e comments are spot on. We didn't have enough up front to hurt City but thought two CHs were excellent and Whelan should have walked, I've seen it again. Where do we go from here.. well hope for a win Tuesday night vs Wigan, be a lot more positive TWO wingers, Jerome starts and I hope the usual, after Xmas downward slide repeats itself. Did we deserve a replay? Not IMHO and Citeh will take some stopping, simply too good for us all over the pitch. Onwards and upwards please TONY. I know at least for folks near to me didn't make it becase the snow was too bad, I managed it but only just. GOOD luck to Man City too! EDIT I meant DOES NOT repeat itself..
A times we looked like we had 5 or 6 across the back. We had very little width and to be fair we didnt offer much as a unit so its difficult to highlight any individuals, but in all honesty I dont jusge our sucess or failure in reults against teams like these. On paper the line up was a positive one but in real terms it was 10 and at times 11 behind the ball. I do have my concerns that we will offer little agianst lower teams moving forward because we seem so stuck in our ways and set up but I hope to be proved wrong. I am really getting a bee in my bonnet of Walters now, I think he touched the ball half a dozen times all game, regardless or where TP shoe horns him into the line up.
Watched in my local pub, what a bloody embarassment - NOT because we lost but H OW we lost. Beaten before we started, thanks in no small part to the usual 'pep' talk from Pulis. Comments from the locals, no flair, no threat, no interest. Could only agree with them. Well at least we can concentrate on the league. At least it was a priviledge to play Man City. For that alone, Pulis should go.
I was surprised by the poor home turnout,especially at only £20 a ticket but I felt we just wanted it more than stoke in the stands and on the pitch. Stoke defended pretty well but I wasn't impressed with Pulis tactics at home of allowing us to have the ball and play in front of your box while hoping to pick up something from the odd break or set piece. For a team who don't travel well and therefore a replay was the last thing wanted,it was a strange set up. Crouch has scored so often against us in his career I was amazed he was in the bench. Couldn't see whelans tackle from where we were but I've heard it was a shocker Beginning of the end for Pulis,just get the feeling he's losing the fans?
Pulis lost the fans 2 seasons ago and is loing them even more every week. I didn't renew my season ticket this season and I am reluctant to do so until he either walks or is shoved. Didn't go today and didn't watch it either as I knew he would put on another cowardly display against a top side! Choice was take my family to Nantwich for a Civil war battle re enactment or watch my beloved Stoke be made to look stupid again by a gutless fool in a baseball cap. No competition really!
There were too many that didn't perform Walters and Shotton were an embarassment, Whellen and kightly not much better, not enough width and **** crosses when we did get anywhere down the sides. Wellen should have been sent off. Whatever happens we need a clear out before next season before the few decent players we do have upsticks and go somewhere they play football.
Just watched Whelan's tackle and yes it was defo a red card incident [video=youtube;79kC8OLfTgI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=79kC8OLfTgI[/video]
stokie i think them comments are strong to say the least ... Is whelan a dirty player ? NO did he look like he was trying to block the ball YES if it went wrong so be it but there is such as human error ... too much being made of it move on ffs
just watched Clarke Carlisle .. garth crooks love child of glass eye dropping talking about it on FA CUP no doubt he will now get a 3 match ban
Whelan was his usual averge = well pretty useless. IF he does get banned and he should have walked. We won't really miss him. Walters ran but that's all he does. I can't remeber him running towards their defence more than once. Paul YES Mr Clueless Baseball wearing cap Pulis lost me ages ago. Good luck to you in the next Rd. At least their Manager might show more ambition and actually turn up and give you a game.
Whellan will probably get a 3 match ban and we will probably get Whitehead in his place. TP, have we not suffered enough!!! Grow a pair and stop being such a marde arse over players that don't kow tow to your every doctrine. Just play the best players in a a balanced team in there proper places, play the best people for those positions not your favourites. As you have said Mr Pulis. no one person is bigger than the club, look into the mirror and say it Mr Pulis, just look into the mirror!!
The conversation on the way home was how strange it was to play at stoke and not feel as if they really wanted it. Normally you can feel it in the stadium,the passion from the stands lifts the players and as an opposition fan you just want to take the draw and get off Wasn't anything like that yesterday
The fans are drained to be honest. We keep constantly being asked in the local paper to be vocal and get behind the team and yet our reward is negative football, players that are better being left out becuase of our vindictive manager and other players that would be lucky to get into a championship side playing out of position. The fans are starting to vote with their feet now as they have had enough! Pulis has blagged his way through 5 seasons with the promise of better things to come. The lack of goals proves that he is talking b******t. What better motivation does a team need when they are up aganist a side that beat them in the FA Cup Wembley Final. I know had I been playing I would have give it my all. Pulis is always defeated before he starts when playing a bigger club. There is no reason why he should not have just gone for this yesterday as I think you were missing one of your best players in Yaya.
Agree Waddo, We could have really had a go at them we had a good opportunity to progress and get the league form monkey off our back, opportunity wasted because of the manager. TP could bottle his team selection as an aftershave and call it Defensive cowardice.
