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Diao
Dec 2, 2011 11:30:20 GMT
Post by PotterEd on Dec 2, 2011 11:30:20 GMT
It's weird with Salif, because if he was playing in a team that keeps the ball well and plays patient, passing football, his performance last night would have been fine. But we don't play that way. The ball was played out to him from defence in a potential counter-attacking situation a number of times and he would put his foot on the ball, slow the game down and play it sideways or backwards. Again, if that's our style of play then it's fine but we're direct... he must know that, with Stoke, the ball needs to be played out wide quickly or up top. All that happened when he slowed it down or passed it back was that it ended up with Higgy or Huth who would thump it up the pitch and by that time, Kiev were in a position to defend. It was incredibly frustrating. On the other hand, I actually thought Palacios was a lot better than many are giving him credit for. He used the ball effectively and it was him getting ahead of the ball (shock horror, a Stoke midfielder breaking beyond the strikers!!) and getting a decent shot on goal that sparked us in to life in that second half. He will get fit and, alongside a more mobile player like Whelan, he will be crucial for us.
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Diao
Dec 2, 2011 11:35:45 GMT
Post by wednesburystokie on Dec 2, 2011 11:35:45 GMT
If we keep Salif purely for squad rotation then i think he can still do a decent job for us.
As for the Prem., then no, but he has a good experienced footballing head on his shoulders.
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laurie
Youth Player
Posts: 330
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Diao
Dec 2, 2011 11:48:53 GMT
Post by laurie on Dec 2, 2011 11:48:53 GMT
Thought Diao had a solid game last night. European slower paced matches suit his style and he's put in some v good performances in the Europa this season. Thankfully TP can assess our squads capabilities a little better than some of the so called supporters on this thread. Well done Stoke for qualifying and lets hope for a good draw in the play off round!
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