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Post by ted1965 on Mar 10, 2008 14:48:26 GMT
Its time we changed a few things in the side, the formation at the moment isn’t working and with games running out we need to find a plan B now.
The first change has to be Griffin swapping flanks I have been saying it since he came back, Andy Griffin is a left back and possibly on his day the best left back in the league. That isn’t an exaggeration, he has proved that many times last season. At right back he is for me at least 20 percent less a player. it’s time to take off the blinkers Tony and play Andy Wilkinson there and Griffin in his best position.
The centre of midfield we can all see that Salif just isn’t at the races right now, he simply hasn’t been able to make up for so little preparation and by the time he does it could be too late. He needs to be left on the bench for now and given games in the reserves to get more match time without the pressure situations on his game or form. We should either have Delap or Pugh partnering Whelan of the options we have available to us.
We have Gallagher here on loan, though rather than play him, he’s sat on the bench and Cresswell is ploughing a very forlorn furrow as a left winger, which he isn’t and as the season wears on he is becoming less and less effective in games. If he is to play, he should be up front with Fuller or the impact forward on the bench, far more effective the Parkin or god forbid Vincent.
The need for a forward has been there since last season, a real menace, someone who teams fear. I am afraid while Mamma is a hand full and defenders may hate playing against him, over all they certainly don’t fear him, his scoring record shows for all his qualities he fails on the one which all forwards need to thrive on, scoring goals. I don’t expect miracles from him but with playing so many games he should be on 7 or 8 goals to justify his inclusion in the side from the start each week. It’s good to hear the manager saying we need more firepower, though we have for a long time now.
The fact we have got this far with what we have is fantastic and even though I have doubted whether the manager had what it takes to finish the job, he has proved me wrong so far and I am delighted to admit it, though now things are becoming tougher, changes need to be made and he needs to display a little ruthless edge, loyalty is a great quality but there are times when it’s misplaced and at the moment certain players are not playing well enough to warrant such loyalty. Confidence is a such a brittle thing, we were flying a short while ago, now some players look scared of making errors, scared to take that chance to make a difference.
There needs to be subtle changes now, it’s too late for a dramatic change in emphasis but evolution can sometimes be painful and if we’re not to waste the last 7 months than the manager has to prove he has learnt lessons and can implement what he has learnt into team tactics and lay out.
So Tone take off the blinkers where some players are concerned and don’t allow this wonderful season to spiral downwards, this is our moment and with a little adjustment here and there we can still be celebrating in 9 or 12 games time depending which route we have to gain promotion by. I am not criticising anyone, now isn’t the time for inquests there’s everything to play for, we need to all pull together and drive this side into those final few games.
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Post by bayernoatcake on Mar 10, 2008 14:54:47 GMT
Hear hear!
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Post by mikeyb99 on Mar 10, 2008 15:20:39 GMT
Totally agree.
I would personally extend the shake-up to include Fuller - he needs competition, he just isn't doing the business at all at the moment.
The Griffin to LB (or out of the team altogether), and Pugh/Delap in CM to partner Whelan is a must, as is Gally in for Cresswell.
It all seems obvious, why is Pulis not doing it? We have the players not to have to play square pegs in round holes, or players who are underperforming. Is Pulis a good manager or a poor one? These final nine games will be conclusive: does he have the nouse?
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Post by potters11 on Mar 10, 2008 15:25:13 GMT
Good post Ted.
I feel that Griffin has done fairly well (up until the last couple of games) at right back, but he would suit the left back role better than Pugh currently does. As Ted say's there a few small changes, that could become major problems if they are not sorted out pronto! 9 games to left, all to play for, it's going to be exciting!
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Mar 10, 2008 15:48:46 GMT
Griff moving to left back would make it easier to bring Gally into the side, either starting or as a sub. I think part of Cressies role is to cover the left back. With a player of Griff's experience, this shouldn't be so critical.
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Post by mermaidsal on Mar 10, 2008 15:48:57 GMT
ted, I'm sounding like a stuck record but yet again for me that's all spot on, karma coming your way. As I've said in another thread, making this last and hopefully key evolution is ultimately down to TP's nerve under pressure. We all know he's got unbelievable nerve when his back's to the wall, I'd trust him with my life in a situation like that - now we tremble a bit and find out if he can do it when the pressure's about real achievement.
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Post by BraveSirRobin on Mar 10, 2008 15:51:29 GMT
Couldnt be arsed to read it but it sounds like something I would agree with!
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Post by Dallas Cowboy on Mar 10, 2008 16:00:16 GMT
From my distant outpost, it does appear that Stoke have become somewhat jaded of late and one point from three games is not the kind of form that wins championships or automatic promotion.
It is impossible for me to say quite what the cause of this recent malaise is but it needs to be rectified and rectified soon. For several seasons, it has looked as though we don't do March. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this year will be different.
It is very much down to Pulis to sort things out and get Stoke back on track but, at times, he reminds of the old definition of madness: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome.
It is now down to you Pulis as to whether you truly are the messiah, as some claim, or simply a false prophet. Remaining in this division for another season is not an option.
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Post by Titan Uranus on Mar 10, 2008 16:09:51 GMT
100% with you there Dallas
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Post by Dr Oetcake on Mar 10, 2008 16:10:55 GMT
agreed!!
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Post by Dr Oetcake on Mar 10, 2008 16:11:21 GMT
Minus 1??? Bastards!
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Post by frasier37 on Mar 10, 2008 16:13:19 GMT
Ted, i can't be bothered to read that yet but, all i can say is i totally agree and you're spot on, i'm sure. ;D
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Post by jezzascfc on Mar 10, 2008 16:18:30 GMT
Nail on head, Ted, nail on fucking head (sorry RAF!).
Have some Karma, my good man.
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Post by sheikhmomo on Mar 10, 2008 16:26:42 GMT
I don't think you can sya he hasn't changed anything since the genuine poor form crept in Dallas. He's dropped an ever present goalkeeper and brought in a new centre half. Unfortunately I would have prioritised these changes way below some others that are required.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2008 16:34:05 GMT
Nice that we can have some constructive criticism on here without being labelled rimmer/hater.
Good points Ted, to a man were were all in agreement on Saturday those very same points. Lets cross our fingers and hope TP can see it too.
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Post by Claus_SCFC on Mar 10, 2008 16:38:07 GMT
okeydokeystokie2 is right; moving Griff to leftback would make it possible to play Gally at leftwing.
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Post by Not_Nick_H on Mar 10, 2008 16:40:00 GMT
Teams are now wise to the threat of Fuller - the minute he gets the ball, there are at least 3 defenders swarmmg round him. This could be used to our advantage though as long as Fuller has the nouse not to just plough on, but pass to one of the players either side of him while the bulk of the oppo back 4 is focusing on him. This needs work in training, but if they develop the "Plan B" quickly it could be a winner.
Burnley were no great shakes - just faster and sharper at times. We just have to be faster and sharper still if we are to get back on track for auto promotion.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2008 16:43:58 GMT
Agree Griff needs to move to left back or be dropped. Also think that he should not be captain but thats for another day.
I thought that Diao had his best game so far against Burnley and after the way delap turned his season around, I won't be knocking him anytime soon!!
Cresswell should be up front with fuller and gally on the wing with sidibe warming the bench. Hate to say that as I am a fan of Sidibe but we need results.
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Post by chrispk76 on Mar 10, 2008 16:50:58 GMT
100% agreed ted.
i've been saying what you mentioned since gally came
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Mar 10, 2008 16:51:59 GMT
We've also got to trust Tony's judgement. This season he's earned our trust.
I like Pulis, but have gone on record as saying I was beginning to doubt when Higgy was sold. Ryan who? Rory Delap?! Will Cressies knees hold up?? I thought we were going to go backwards.
But fair play to him. Ryan Shawcross could well go on to be one of the best signings in the club's history. Nobody in the team has worked harder than Richard Cresswell. (Where are the Hull fans and their consultant now?) And Rory Delap has been a revelation as the games have gone on. Whatever flavour Lucozade Liam drinks, make mine a pint, because he looks a different player this season. (Anybody want Luke Chadwick back?) Add to that he finally got Salif and Glenn Whelan, and I think its fair to say he's done a cracking job.
He knows what's going on in training and in the dressing room. Together with the players, they've got us into a position that was beyond my expectations. Maybe we should trust him to finish the job, and back his judgement.
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Post by kinnell on Mar 10, 2008 17:27:11 GMT
He's achieved nothing yet and therefore earned nothing.
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Post by Paddypotter on Mar 10, 2008 18:28:03 GMT
TP has signed some good players, like Cresswell who I think is a good striker but why did TP buy him? why didn't he buy a winger if thats what was required. Pugh, why not buy a left back?
The problem as I see it is we only have one system of playing irespective of the players available. If we did get promotion how would this system fair against the big boys?
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Post by chrispk76 on Mar 10, 2008 19:45:05 GMT
paddypotter
think we shown how we'd do in the prem when we played a castle team that can't buy a win
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Post by Ariel Manto on Mar 10, 2008 20:05:31 GMT
Paddypotter - that's precisely what worries me, at times.
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