I thought first half we looked second best and we looked under the cosh for the majority of the second half. We played well on the counter attack but don't let that gloss over what wasn't one of the best performances we've seen this season.
I have an Elvis album called "The Ultimate Performance" where the record company have pieced together parts of different shows to create a fictitious "best show".
If we add together Stoke's first 30 mins against Newcastle with the last 30 minute against WHU, can someone suggest the best middle 30 minutes, or some other combination of games to create Stoke's "ultimate performance"?
(Just a laugh, don't take me seriously.)
Aaaahh... I bought that album for me Dad, the 'American Trilogy' on that is immense.
I can remember that but the short term memory is a lot fuzzier. So I could well have missed something.
I agree with the Newcastle first 30, and yesterday's last 30mins.
I thought for the last quarter of an hour against Man Utd at Old Trafford, including Arnie's genius free-kick, we looked awesome.
I also thought that for the first 15 mins of the second half of the Sunderland SoL game, although down to ten men, we came out looking like 'Ten Men'!
I'd also like the first 5 mins against Southampton, {Bego's goal} included please.
Seeing N'Zonzi against Man City at the Brit flicking the ball over Toure's head, seeing the passages of play when Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton absolutely were in disarray and confounded by us at the Brit could be segued in too. {That would include the Assaidi Chelsea strike.}
There's been a lot of cherries to pick from.
My tracklisting for such an imaginary comp would be.
Side 1:
Intro: Southampton at The Brit {Bego. 'We've got the best keeper in the land.' First 5 mins}
Newcastle away {Softening up 'Castle in preparation for the kill, until the sendings off}
Man Utd at Old Trafford {The Arnie show, last 15 mins of first half}
Side 2:
Sunderland Stadium of Light {True Grit}
West Ham at the Brit {'We are Stoke City we're passing the ball'*. Sublime.}
Chelsea at the Brit {'Assaidi. Boooooom!'}
That about covers everything for me, great keeping, great skill, passing and pressure, a fantastic set-piece, a bit of grit and determination, and great goals.
The great thing is that I've seen some breathtaking stuff this season,
It hasn't always looked so great, but I can make 'excuses' for most of the lowpoints, and hope they're gradually decreasing.
For a 'Worst of..'
I'd have segments from the first half vs Palace at the Brit, Norwich at the Brit, Everton and Spurs away, second half Man U at Old Trafford, second half Palace at Selhurst.
Fingers crossed that indeed the 'stronger second half of the season' thing comes true.