A little player review from last night!

[davejohnno1]

A great effort by the lads last night and I have to say, we didn't just set out to defend for 90 minutes. We did our share of defending of course, and did it damn well, but we tried to get forward and looked to cause them problems particularly on the break.

With a bit more quality from Jerome and Walters, this is actually a game we would have won comfortably with a performance reminiscent on Manures there a few weeks ago.

Anyhow, a little player rating review from me, which will probably give a better insight as to how I saw the game last night;

Begovic - Flapper extraordinaire under the high ball and but for Huth would have cost us a couple of times last night. For me, he is nowhere near as reliable as Tommy but his handling from shots was its usual excellent and his advantage over Tommy is that he is more likely to pull of an unbelievable save to win us a point or 3. Still to be convinced by him at the moment

Wilko - Once again rammed the doubters words down their throats. A superb display, keeping Bale pretty quiet, defending superbly and giving excellent support to Pennant throughout both on the overlap and in feeding him the ball.

Shawcross - IMMENSE - By far and away the best young centre half in the country and showed again that he can pass the ball and move forward with it when given the chance to do so.

Huth - IMMENSE - Is there a better centre half in the Country than this absolute rock of a man?

Wilson - Well, Well. His first half display was woeful beyond belief and every bit as abject as David Rowson's showing at Wigan all those years ago. Nothing he did, he did right. Improved slightly second half and to his credit did clear danger with one superb back post header second half.

Palacios - Excellent display but fitness caught him out a couple of times. Showed again glimpses of the fine player he is but we just have to hope the summer sees him return fit and firing. We will have one hell of a player on our hands if he does.

Salif - Brilliant for 28 minutes before retiring hurt.

Pennant - Looked rusty first half as he tried to get into the game. Second half he was magnificent in all aspects of wing play and produced arguably his best ever display in a Stoke shirt. Caused them problems, helped Wilko and kept the ball brilliantly in tight spaces. Was it a penalty at the end? Didn't look like it from my seat.

Jerome - Another goal but to be honest, he was rubbish. Headless chicken who ran in straight lines to little or no effect. Granted he is not a left winger and he put in another great shift. Really need to see him given an extended run up front to see what he can really do. Another worker with very little quality in his actual feet. Can't fault his goals ratio though and his pace means the opposition always have to be on their toes.

Crouch - Thought he played pretty well with absolutely no support from his strike partner and even less from the useless ref. Good effort though and put in a real shift across the front line.

Walters - Must have ran a near marathon with an unbelievable shift. Quality was somewhat lacking yet again and many a good opportunity broke down because of his inability to spot a pass or have the pace and touch to do something useful. Still think, that if he is to play, these are the games he should play in as he did a decent job in stopping their extra man in midfield. One break in particular, where he failed to spot Whitehead clean through, highlighted in particular his distinct lack of any talent.

SUBS - Whelan - excellent display carrying on the previous good work of Salif.

Deano - Excellent when replacing Palacios. Covered every part of the pitch and used the ball well. Arguably showing the best form of his Stoke career to date.

All in all a superb effort from the team where once again, the lack of a bit of pace and quality cost us a chance of winning and winning comfortably. For all of our good endeavours, and some neat passing moves, we still struggle to look a threat up top.

Chuffed to bits with the outstanding displays from Huth and Shawcross. They were immense. They really were and it was them I felt most sorry for when the equaliser hit the net...Jammy bastards!

If we approached games like this more often, I don't think you would hear too many complaints from travelling Stokies.

[jeycov]

Great post.
A bit harsh on Jerome - not sure where else a goal would have come from?
I do agree that he needs time to show what he can do, as I am not convinced how he will measure up against the top teams in this division.

Huth and Shawcross outstanding.
Final ball (excellent pass) to Van der Vart for their winning goal did split them, but the pass from Bale could have been closed down a bit more in my opinion.

Looking forward to this more positive approach in our remaining games.

[superjonnywalters]

Walters was same old, same old for this season. He doesn't have the belief anymore and I can't see where his motivation will come from if he is picked week in, week out, regardless of his form.

Huth and Shawcross were immense once again. Why on earth he messed with that partnership in the first place is one of lifes mysteries.

Jerome wasn't great but to his credit was in the right place for the goal and I think we'd see the best of him in a more central role.

Palacios looked very good at times too.

Very happy with the performance, especially the first 20 minutes or so.

[RAF]

I agree with most of that Dave, although Ryan did let Van De Fart in for that equaliser. I just think he lacks just a tad of pace, but apart from that he was as you say immense.
Great to see Wilko shove it up those who have been slating him and also Pennant showing exactly why people have been screaming for him to start. Once he gets a few games under his belt we could get to see some excellent displays.

What does make me really sad is that we know we can play like this when the right players are deployed, and had our manager not messed around earlier on in the season we could be looking forward to an even better finish in the league.


H

[davejohnno1]

Difficult for me to comment on their goal RAF because it was hard to tell from the game and i've not seen it on TV yet.

At the game, it looked like a good ball into the box where that dutch twat came in late and split the two centre halves. It looked a decent and well worked goal at the game but obviously I stand to be corrected.

Would it have been the centre halves job to track that run? Not so sure myself but would need to see it on TV I guess.

Good effort all round though and as I say, if we approached all away games like this, you wouldn't hear too many complaints, win lose or draw.

[sheikhmomo]

I thought Huth was at fault for the goal not Ryan. I have only seen it once though.

[superjonnywalters]

I thought it was Crouch's fault.

[Deleted]

The only thing I don't agree with Dave is Palacios. Was tidy enough on the ball but a liability off it. There's a debate to be had about whether it's worth sacrificing a bit of solidity in the middle in order to create more chances, but as it stands we can't afford our centre mids to just not bother tracking the runners. It nearly cost us a few times in the first half.

[manchesterpotter]

Mar 22, 2012 10:35:28 GMT @robvandeurzen83 said:

The only thing I don't agree with Dave is Palacios. Was tidy enough on the ball but a liability off it. There's a debate to be had about whether it's worth sacrificing a bit of solidity in the middle in order to create more chances, but as it stands we can't afford our centre mids to just not bother tracking the runners. It nearly cost us a few times in the first half.

I imagine a nice training regime in Switzerland will knock that out of him.

I think he'll come good for us in the end.

[Robo10]

It was Dave Kitsons fault. Come on chaps keep up.


Excellent performance, our passing at times (and on Sun) was really good, fast ans crisp.

We do get into great position then for whatever reason make the wrong pass or turn back (constantly!)

Really great point though, even if a bit of a sickener

[davejohnno1]

Rob...Isn't that exactly what I said re Palacios? Showed glimpses of the player he is and can be and hopefully pre-season will get him fit and firing.

He didn't track Modric twice and he fired narrowly wide both times, and he immediately held up his hand to say that it was him that had let Modric go. Perhaps these two faults mean that he wasn't excellent, but merely good with excellent potential!

He still did some great work off the ball and with it, but isn't fit enough to do it consistently. When points are needed, its easy to see why he hasn't played regularly.

That doesn't disguise the fact that again, he showed glimpses of the player we want and need him to be. In essence, your comments are in total agreement with my own!

[superjonnywalters]

I think Palacios is used to playing for Redknapp. i.e. go out, express yourself, try to open up the defence, try something a bit special etc.

For Redknapp if he tried something 10 times and got it right 6 or 7 times and got it wrong on a few others he was probably encouraged to keep playing that way.

For Pulis it is always keep it simple and if you are in any doubt the last thing you do is try and beat a player or try a pass that could endanger surrendering possesion in a key area of the field. If in doubt its a punt up to the front men for Pulis.

At times Palacios can play a ball that none of our other centre mids look capable off. Last night with only a few mins on the clock Palacios carried the ball 40 or 50 yards up the pitch, I can't remember the last time I saw one of our centre mids do that.

On the flip side, at times he will be under pressure and insted of hitting it long, playing percentages or keeping it safe he will try and beat a player or try a nutmeg or attempt a difficult pass and he will surrender possesion and put the team under pressure.

I think Tone will keep working on him to eradicate those mistakes until he trusts him enough.

Its a difficult one. Do you try and change him to suit out style and risk losing the top-draw player we signed or do you allow him to carry on the way he is and accept he might do something a bit special every now and then but he might also be a liability at times too?

I think I know which option Tone will go for!!

[RAF]

Mar 22, 2012 9:38:56 GMT davejohnno1 said:

Difficult for me to comment on their goal RAF because it was hard to tell from the game and i've not seen it on TV yet.

At the game, it looked like a good ball into the box where that dutch twat came in late and split the two centre halves. It looked a decent and well worked goal at the game but obviously I stand to be corrected.

Would it have been the centre halves job to track that run? Not so sure myself but would need to see it on TV I guess.

Good effort all round though and as I say, if we approached all away games like this, you wouldn't hear too many complaints, win lose or draw.

It was a great cross Dave no arguments, but Van de Fart who is about 2 ft 3 shouldn't be scoring an open header from the middle of our goal area. Saying that it's easy for me to say that when I wasn't playing.

H

[Deleted]

Mar 22, 2012 10:44:41 GMT davejohnno1 said:

Rob...Isn't that exactly what I said re Palacios? Showed glimpses of the player he is and can be and hopefully pre-season will get him fit and firing.

He didn't track Modric twice and he fired narrowly wide both times, and he immediately held up his hand to say that it was him that had let Modric go. Perhaps these two faults mean that he wasn't excellent, but merely good with excellent potential!

He still did some great work off the ball and with it, but isn't fit enough to do it consistently. When points are needed, its easy to see why he hasn't played regularly.

That doesn't disguise the fact that again, he showed glimpses of the player we want and need him to be. In essence, your comments are in total agreement with my own!

I didn't feel you really addressed the defensive shortcomings Dave, that's all. Agreed with everything else you wrote. On the ball WP was very good.

It just worries me that a bloke who's always been a defensive midfielder seems a bit of a worry defensively. Hopefully he'll come good.

[Deleted]

Mar 22, 2012 10:55:20 GMT @superjonnywalters said:

I think Palacios is used to playing for Redknapp. i.e. go out, express yourself, try to open up the defence, try something a bit special etc.

For Redknapp if he tried something 10 times and got it right 6 or 7 times and got it wrong on a few others he was probably encouraged to keep playing that way.

For Pulis it is always keep it simple and if you are in any doubt the last thing you do is try and beat a player or try a pass that could endanger surrendering possesion in a key area of the field. If in doubt its a punt up to the front men for Pulis.

At times Palacios can play a ball that none of our other centre mids look capable off. Last night with only a few mins on the clock Palacios carried the ball 40 or 50 yards up the pitch, I can't remember the last time I saw one of our centre mids do that.

On the flip side, at times he will be under pressure and insted of hitting it long, playing percentages or keeping it safe he will try and beat a player or try a nutmeg or attempt a difficult pass and he will surrender possesion and put the team under pressure.

I think Tone will keep working on him to eradicate those mistakes until he trusts him enough.

Its a difficult one. Do you try and change him to suit out style and risk losing the top-draw player we signed or do you allow him to carry on the way he is and accept he might do something a bit special every now and then but he might also be a liability at times too?

I think I know which option Tone will go for!!

Harry used him mainly as a midfield stopper and arse kicker I think? To protect the likes of Modric?

[Stretfordpotterer]

I'm really not sure, if you have Diao, an out and out defensive midfielder, on the pitch, that Palacios was the one intended to pick modric up. Surely that was diao's job.

proof of this is surely that when Whelan came on and slotted into Salifs position, Modric, who'd looked a massive threat previously, did absolutely fuck all for the rest of the game, because Whelan tracked him properly.

[superjonnywalters]

Mar 22, 2012 11:31:09 GMT @robvandeurzen83 said:

Mar 22, 2012 10:55:20 GMT @superjonnywalters said:

I think Palacios is used to playing for Redknapp. i.e. go out, express yourself, try to open up the defence, try something a bit special etc.

For Redknapp if he tried something 10 times and got it right 6 or 7 times and got it wrong on a few others he was probably encouraged to keep playing that way.

For Pulis it is always keep it simple and if you are in any doubt the last thing you do is try and beat a player or try a pass that could endanger surrendering possesion in a key area of the field. If in doubt its a punt up to the front men for Pulis.

At times Palacios can play a ball that none of our other centre mids look capable off. Last night with only a few mins on the clock Palacios carried the ball 40 or 50 yards up the pitch, I can't remember the last time I saw one of our centre mids do that.

On the flip side, at times he will be under pressure and insted of hitting it long, playing percentages or keeping it safe he will try and beat a player or try a nutmeg or attempt a difficult pass and he will surrender possesion and put the team under pressure.

I think Tone will keep working on him to eradicate those mistakes until he trusts him enough.

Its a difficult one. Do you try and change him to suit out style and risk losing the top-draw player we signed or do you allow him to carry on the way he is and accept he might do something a bit special every now and then but he might also be a liability at times too?

I think I know which option Tone will go for!!

Harry used him mainly as a midfield stopper and arse kicker I think? To protect the likes of Modric?

That was my perception when we signed him.

I very much doubt Tony signed that kind of player and converted him to what we see now though.

I can only assume even if he was deployed as a defensive midfielder by Harry we was still given license to get forward and try to beat players, through balls etc.

[lordb]

thought Wilko struggled at Anfield,great to see him have a really good game against a top player too.

[Alvechurch Assassin]

what has impressed me is the greater control of possession we have demonstrated over the last 2 away games - let's hope we bring that to the home games with a bit more bite in attack

[Stretfordpotterer]

Mar 22, 2012 13:00:13 GMT lordb said:

thought Wilko struggled at Anfield,great to see him have a really good game against a top player too.

Wilko has always been at his very best when he comes against a player/players who try to take him on.

He seems to absolutely love the challenge, the better the winger, the better he plays. I was gutted when Downing played on the right for Liverpool as i knew having him on the left would bring the best out of wilko.

The amount of times he's had Ashley Young in his pocket is ridiculous, he's been subbed nearly every time he's come up against Wilko.

Also, having an out and out winger up against him gives him that little bit more room to exploit going forward.

[johnsmithsupper]

Mar 22, 2012 8:58:29 GMT davejohnno1 said:

A great effort by the lads last night and I have to say, we didn't just set out to defend for 90 minutes. We did our share of defending of course, and did it damn well, but we tried to get forward and looked to cause them problems particularly on the break.

With a bit more quality from Jerome and Walters, this is actually a game we would have won comfortably with a performance reminiscent on Manures there a few weeks ago.

Anyhow, a little player rating review from me, which will probably give a better insight as to how I saw the game last night;

Begovic - Flapper extraordinaire under the high ball and but for Huth would have cost us a couple of times last night. For me, he is nowhere near as reliable as Tommy but his handling from shots was its usual excellent and his advantage over Tommy is that he is more likely to pull of an unbelievable save to win us a point or 3. Still to be convinced by him at the moment

Wilko - Once again rammed the doubters words down their throats. A superb display, keeping Bale pretty quiet, defending superbly and giving excellent support to Pennant throughout both on the overlap and in feeding him the ball.

Shawcross - IMMENSE - By far and away the best young centre half in the country and showed again that he can pass the ball and move forward with it when given the chance to do so.

Huth - IMMENSE - Is there a better centre half in the Country than this absolute rock of a man?

Wilson - Well, Well. His first half display was woeful beyond belief and every bit as abject as David Rowson's showing at Wigan all those years ago. Nothing he did, he did right. Improved slightly second half and to his credit did clear danger with one superb back post header second half.

Palacios - Excellent display but fitness caught him out a couple of times. Showed again glimpses of the fine player he is but we just have to hope the summer sees him return fit and firing. We will have one hell of a player on our hands if he does.

Salif - Brilliant for 28 minutes before retiring hurt.

Pennant - Looked rusty first half as he tried to get into the game. Second half he was magnificent in all aspects of wing play and produced arguably his best ever display in a Stoke shirt. Caused them problems, helped Wilko and kept the ball brilliantly in tight spaces. Was it a penalty at the end? Didn't look like it from my seat.

Jerome - Another goal but to be honest, he was rubbish. Headless chicken who ran in straight lines to little or no effect. Granted he is not a left winger and he put in another great shift. Really need to see him given an extended run up front to see what he can really do. Another worker with very little quality in his actual feet. Can't fault his goals ratio though and his pace means the opposition always have to be on their toes.

Crouch - Thought he played pretty well with absolutely no support from his strike partner and even less from the useless ref. Good effort though and put in a real shift across the front line.

Walters - Must have ran a near marathon with an unbelievable shift. Quality was somewhat lacking yet again and many a good opportunity broke down because of his inability to spot a pass or have the pace and touch to do something useful. Still think, that if he is to play, these are the games he should play in as he did a decent job in stopping their extra man in midfield. One break in particular, where he failed to spot Whitehead clean through, highlighted in particular his distinct lack of any talent.

SUBS - Whelan - excellent display carrying on the previous good work of Salif.

Deano - Excellent when replacing Palacios. Covered every part of the pitch and used the ball well. Arguably showing the best form of his Stoke career to date.

All in all a superb effort from the team where once again, the lack of a bit of pace and quality cost us a chance of winning and winning comfortably. For all of our good endeavours, and some neat passing moves, we still struggle to look a threat up top.

Chuffed to bits with the outstanding displays from Huth and Shawcross. They were immense. They really were and it was them I felt most sorry for when the equaliser hit the net...Jammy bastards!

If we approached games like this more often, I don't think you would hear too many complaints from travelling Stokies.

Did you enjoy it Dave, because i am struggling to ascertain whether you did or u didnt? ;D ;D ;D

Credit due to you and i think we are all proud of a team and manager who will keep producing performances like this with now just league position to play for.

[dingdongbell]

i have to say, aving just watched the game on match choice my views on palacios have not changed . his poor positional play and terrible distribution make me think that he is just an expensive version of ray wallace ( great servant of the club in LOWER divs ) , but not up topremier standard , thought wilson had a mare, but huth, shawcross, pennant, wilko looked superb, dont think jerome should be slated, he does what a stiker should do SCORE !

[ned]

Can't agree with the 'jammy bastards' comment. Spurs are a bloody good side, a bit soft in terms of results, but very talented. They really did put us under a lot of pressure for long periods of the match.

Hence, their goal. Talented players who have superb timing can always nip onto superb crosses and they did - very hard to stop, especially when you've been defending like hell for long periods of the match.

We did well, very well to come away with a point against one of the most skillful teams in the Prem. It would have been a really good thieving job if we'd won. I'd have taken that with joy, utter joy, mind.

Cracking job, Stoke.

Now let's do an even better job against the money-bags. If my memory serves me right, it was against them when the visceral roar that led to the 'bear pit' started: when we beat the buggers with only 10 men.

Come on Stoke, let's rip into the rich bleeders.