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Post by expectedtoulouse on Apr 13, 2008 21:37:05 GMT
First of all, it would be good to find out which position griff prefers best.
Griff has been unfortunate this season. When he joined us it appeared from the stands that he lacked confidence due to Derby's results up until January. When he came into the Stoke team, I think everyone expected him to play like he did last season at left back when he made those storming runs and scored a few cracking goals. Due to high expectation levels from us Stokies then I think that Griff has been subject to some unecessary criticism. Its never good to see any player get injured, but maybe it can turn out well for him in the long run. When he recovers he will have a good pre-season infront of him and will be able to focus on how to play the Stoke way and will hopefully have recovered from his Derby set back and will be fully fit to rediscover his tremendous form of last season. If we do go up then his experience with Derby will be vital to helping Stoke steer clear of relegation.
Let's support him next time he plays. Imagine how he must feel getting injured with 3 games to go.
Good Luck Griff
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Post by davejohnno1 on Apr 13, 2008 21:40:28 GMT
I think that if you asked him, Griff would tell you that he is a FULL BACK and doesn't mind which side he plays.
I may be wrong!
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Post by jonnyp on Apr 13, 2008 21:49:59 GMT
The recent criticism of Griff has been way over the top. Yes, he has been poor for a while now but Griffs best performances in all his spells at Stoke have come at left back and not right back. The defence should be shuffled to get Griff in at left back and if that was done Im sure we'd see the Griff performances of last season. Dicko has a lot of potential but Griff is still certainly the better player and better bet at left back currently IMHO.
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Post by Jamo on the wing on Apr 13, 2008 21:53:43 GMT
As I have always said form is temporary and class is permanent. He'll still be a top player for us but he needs to play at left back, the position he has ALWAYS been top drawer in.
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Post by smirny72 on Apr 13, 2008 22:05:51 GMT
Good luck Griff and hope u have a speedy recovery soon
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Post by griffsmrs on Apr 13, 2008 22:17:17 GMT
Yes Griff would say he was a fullback, but i'm sure he would play up front if he was asked to do so. I don't know what the whole Derby thing did to him, but he has to live with his decisions and bare the consequences (which is what he is doing) He most definetly has not lost his confidence or self belief, he has played infront of 50,000 at wembley for goodness sake, he certainly isn't fased. I think it has to do with peoples perceptions, they wont forgive him (which is fine) but because they hold that grudge they jump onto the least little thing. I've sat in the stands and seen and heard it myself. Others make mistakes little is said! He isn't as fast as when he was 17 but who is? I so wish that they had prozone here at stoke, the games are annilised, and so is each players performance. Would be interesting to look at Griffs current stats, his successful pass completion, tackles won interceptions etc, i think you would find that he isn't the weak link that some say he is! Anyway opinions regarding football is ok, its when he gets called a p***k and a c**t that is out of order. Do they know him? ?
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Post by daverichards on Apr 13, 2008 22:19:43 GMT
I thought we had Prozone, we used to ... sure of it, be right up Pulis' street that kind of thing
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Post by Pretty Little Boother on Apr 13, 2008 22:28:45 GMT
Yeah I'm surprised they don't have it, that seems like it'd be one of Tone's most precious tools...
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Post by Parksy on Apr 13, 2008 22:29:18 GMT
There's a cracking article disputing the use of Prozone, written by David James some time ago: blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/12/30/i_love_my_stats_but_you_need_h.htmlLove the bit about Schmeichel proving how dumb the system is by running backwards and forwards across his line for the entire match ;D I'd rather have a manager pick a player on performances and not stats anyday. |
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Post by griffsmrs on Apr 13, 2008 22:58:02 GMT
Managers shouldn't use the likes of prozone to pick the team, but it can be a useful tool, it's useful for the players to look at their performance in a reflective manner.
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Post by Parksy on Apr 13, 2008 23:11:40 GMT
Agree with you Mrs G, but just pointing out that certain managers prefer its output rather than it's use.
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Post by expectedtoulouse on Apr 14, 2008 14:50:52 GMT
People just seemed to have and still have too higher expectations for Griff. I wasn't doubting his self-belief and when I said "focus on how to play the stoke way", I meant that Derby and Stoke have different ways of playing football. Stoke play a very direct style, and since Griff has come back he seems to play the ball across the defence and back to the keeper more than he did last time. This may boost his pass completion percentage, but some Stokies feel that he should play it forward more as these types of passes, put the defender and/or the goalkeeper under pressure. Also it seems that he comes inside to the centre backs position and leaves a big gap for the winger to take advantage of.
Whereas when he played at left back last season, he seemed to play the ball up to Sidibe more and look for the knock down or the second ball and he played more directly.
To clear up the situation about fans views reagrding his move to Derby. We all accepted that it was a great chance for him to have another crack at the Premiership again, and that he deserved his chance from his excellent form last season. What we didn't like was Lee Hendrie going around many local newspapers saying it would be great for him to join Derby, Sheff Utd, Leicester etc trying to earn himself a better contract than the one he was offered at Stoke.
It was only a minority that didn't want Griff back in January.
Finally,we want the best for Griff and for the team, so maybe fans highlighting areas of weakness or need for improvement comes across as constant criticism.
Many other players have their faults, for example Sidibe who get their fair share of criticism for their weaknesses.
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10 Pint Potter
Youth Player
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Post by 10 Pint Potter on Apr 14, 2008 14:54:47 GMT
I don't understand why people think he is much better at left back anyway surely as a full back you do the same job in both positions, jsut on the other side of the pitch PLUS griff is right footed so why would he be much better at left back, when it's the same role but on his weaker foot. also i wouldnt say he scored a few cracking goals, just the one  |
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Post by serpico on Apr 14, 2008 14:55:39 GMT
testing
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2008 14:58:34 GMT
Andy Griffin used to go in the Swynnerton Arms, Rough Close for a bit of snappin when he was here last year. His performances were good.
This year I hear he has been using the Cherry Tree. His performances are not so good.
The solution is obvious.
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