|
|
Post by chiefdelilah on Sept 22, 2014 0:15:48 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by mcf on Sept 22, 2014 7:53:17 GMT
Yep, at the end of the day it's a good point. I thought the front 3 were really good too. Just need to make it happen at home. |
|
|
|
Post by devondumpling on Sept 22, 2014 8:50:54 GMT
Agree with most of that. Thanks.
|
|
|
|
Post by j3st3r on Sept 22, 2014 8:53:12 GMT
Agree with most of that Rob although despite his improvement... I'm not sure I'd ever consider Whelan as undroppable. I think he'll play a big part this season both away from home and against the top half sides... But I'd like to see us try a more attacking setup sacrificing the holding midfielder (Nzonzi + Adam) at home against those teams that set up to counter attack us. I think Mondays game against Newcastle will be a big test as I'm sure that's the tactic they'll be looking to deploy....
|
|
|
|
Post by scfcno1fan on Sept 22, 2014 9:39:25 GMT
Agree reference Moses. He really is a fantastic player, I'm sure his performances are not going unnoticed in the Stoke hierarchy and also further afield.
|
|
|
|
Post by stokerstayinup on Sept 22, 2014 10:17:34 GMT
I suspect the honeymoon for ‘Mark and his team’ will pretty soon be at an end.
What do you mean by this?
|
|
|
|
Post by Gods on Sept 22, 2014 10:34:56 GMT
What would happen if Rob woke up one morning after match day with the realisation that he had 6 conclusions to make or worse still only 4  |
|
|
|
Post by foster on Sept 22, 2014 10:40:29 GMT
What would happen if Rob woke up one morning after match day with the realisation that he had 6 conclusions to make or worse still only 4 Then he just throws in ones from the week before. That's what he does most of the time anyway isn't it?  |
|
|
|
Post by cheekymatt71 on Sept 22, 2014 11:01:32 GMT
Very good and balanced report Rob. I also could totally understand the Sidwell substitution at the time as the most like-for-like replacement for Adam who couldnt last the 90 minutes. Also Moses had cramp so had to be replaced.
I dont think it was a case of Hughes shutting up shot, but more he was forced into the changes that combined made us a bit weaker in an attacking sense.
A bit quiet on the full-backs though Rob. I felt they were both weak-links on Saturday - Pieters giving away free-kick after free-kick, and Bardsley just looked nervous on the ball for whatever reason I dont know.
|
|
|
|
Post by stokemark on Sept 22, 2014 11:33:46 GMT
I didnt go so there is always that risk that in commenting on what you saw on TV you could be well off the mark but I dont get the Charlie Adam special recognition
I thought he was average - Gave the ball away far to often and lacked the mobility that is required at this level to really stamp his mark on the game. His tackling was actually much improved (given who the ref was, my son and I had a side bet on how many minutes before Charlies first yellow) and that was pleasing to see but given the opposition, given the two substitutions QPR were forced to make and given that Karl Henry played nearly 45 minutes I thought that he would have run the midfield 'Cambiasso style' - He didnt.
|
|
|
|
Post by thestatusquo on Sept 22, 2014 11:58:16 GMT
Good read APU.
|
|
|
|
Post by chiefdelilah on Sept 22, 2014 12:02:27 GMT
Agree with most of that Rob although despite his improvement... I'm not sure I'd ever consider Whelan as undroppable. I think he'll play a big part this season both away from home and against the top half sides... But I'd like to see us try a more attacking setup sacrificing the holding midfielder (Nzonzi + Adam) at home against those teams that set up to counter attack us. I think Mondays game against Newcastle will be a big test as I'm sure that's the tactic they'll be looking to deploy.... I disagree J3. Not convinced cramming attacking players in anywhere automatically makes you more attacking - you need that solid base and that balance to hold the team together. |
|
|
|
Post by chiefdelilah on Sept 22, 2014 12:04:31 GMT
I suspect the honeymoon for ‘Mark and his team’ will pretty soon be at an end. What do you mean by this? I mean if we don't stop giving silly goals away and throwing away points then fans are going to start asking questions about the management team. |
|
|
|
Post by sheikhmomo on Sept 22, 2014 12:18:23 GMT
Does Steve Sidwell's name get lazily get prefixed with the word "liability" for the rest of his Stoke career now? It was certainly more of a liability challenge than I can ever remember Charlie committing which has nevertheless seen him wear the label for the pas 18 months.
|
|
|
|
Post by mcf on Sept 22, 2014 14:22:24 GMT
Does Steve Sidwell's name get lazily get prefixed with the word "liability" for the rest of his Stoke career now? It was certainly more of a liability challenge than I can ever remember Charlie committing which has nevertheless seen him wear the label for the pas 18 months. one thing that surprised me most about Sidwell is that he looks smaller now he's playing for us. |
|
|
|
Post by stokerstayinup on Sept 22, 2014 14:22:44 GMT
I suspect the honeymoon for ‘Mark and his team’ will pretty soon be at an end. What do you mean by this? I mean if we don't stop giving silly goals away and throwing away points then fans are going to start asking questions about the management team. I think their honeymoon period ended after last seasons start,and they proved the doubters wrong.Surely finishing in the top 10 entitles them to a bit more respect from us fans especially as it's individual errors that seem to be costing us. |
|
|
|
Post by jezzascfc on Sept 22, 2014 14:56:06 GMT
I didnt go so there is always that risk that in commenting on what you saw on TV you could be well off the mark but I dont get the Charlie Adam special recognition I thought he was average - Gave the ball away far to often and lacked the mobility that is required at this level to really stamp his mark on the game. His tackling was actually much improved (given who the ref was, my son and I had a side bet on how many minutes before Charlies first yellow) and that was pleasing to see but given the opposition, given the two substitutions QPR were forced to make and given that Karl Henry played nearly 45 minutes I thought that he would have run the midfield 'Cambiasso style' - He didnt. I agree with that - the stats may back Rob up, but stats can be used to back up any argument if you choose the right ones! Charlie always seems a better player when he is not playing, yet when he starts he fails to impress me. He is simply not mobile enough and has dubious ability in the tackle for a central midfielder. Is he worth a regular start for those odd occasions when he plays a decent pass for the strikers or pops up to score? I'm not convinced. His all-round game is not strong enough. |
|
|
|
Post by robstokie on Sept 22, 2014 15:03:22 GMT
Excellent read again, Chief. One point I might have elaborated more on was the potential subs that Sparky could have made (eg. When Charlie came off, he could have bought Assaidi on, Dropped N Zonzi back alongside Whelan and played Diouf in the no 10 role, with possibly Assaidi and Moses dropping back a bit to cover their full backs) but, like it always is with your blog, it was well thought out, clear, articulate and, not least, enjoyable to read.
|
|
|
|
Post by chiefdelilah on Sept 22, 2014 15:23:02 GMT
I mean if we don't stop giving silly goals away and throwing away points then fans are going to start asking questions about the management team. I think their honeymoon period ended after last seasons start,and they proved the doubters wrong.Surely finishing in the top 10 entitles them to a bit more respect from us fans especially as it's individual errors that seem to be costing us. IF it carries on, and we keep throwing points away as a result, isn't it the manager's responsibility to take steps to address that? |
|
|
|
Post by chiefdelilah on Sept 22, 2014 15:23:33 GMT
Excellent read again, Chief. One point I might have elaborated more on was the potential subs that Sparky could have made (eg. When Charlie came off, he could have bought Assaidi on, Dropped N Zonzi back alongside Whelan and played Diouf in the no 10 role, with possibly Assaidi and Moses dropping back a bit to cover their full backs) but, like it always is with your blog, it was well thought out, clear, articulate and, not least, enjoyable to read. Cheers Rob. |
|
|
|
Post by mcf on Sept 22, 2014 15:35:33 GMT
I mean if we don't stop giving silly goals away and throwing away points then fans are going to start asking questions about the management team. I think their honeymoon period ended after last seasons start,and they proved the doubters wrong.Surely finishing in the top 10 entitles them to a bit more respect from us fans especially as it's individual errors that seem to be costing us. He never had a honeymoon period from myself as the stakes are too high and he definitely proved me wrong as never thought we would be knocking the ball around like we were at the end of last season. I'm much more relaxed as a result this season but we need to ease away from the bottom as soon as we possibly can. Things can go against you pretty quickly in this league. I thought we did well at the weekend though and that was more to be happy about than not. |
|
|
|
Post by mrcoke on Sept 22, 2014 16:37:13 GMT
Excellent write up; totally agree with all that you said. I particularly concur with your Sidwell comments. There is far too much harsh criticism of him IMO.
Personally I am prepared to give MH a lot longer yet to get the team into top form. 5 games into the season is far too soon to draw conclusions apart from obvious ones like Stoke aren't scoring enough. With just a few breaks Stoke could be sitting in second place in the Prem. like Southampton and Villa. That would be just as false a position as their present 13th in terms of representing the quality of the squad. Although things haven't gone our way during the 5 matches bar 1 outstanding performance, I am still as confident as I was before the season started that Stoke will be a top ten side. Maybe not 8th as I think Southampton are proving me and a lot of other people wrong, and are much better than expected after their loss of players and manager.
|
|
|
|
Post by chiefdelilah on Sept 22, 2014 16:59:55 GMT
Excellent write up; totally agree with all that you said. I particularly concur with your Sidwell comments. There is far too much harsh criticism of him IMO. Personally I am prepared to give MH a lot longer yet to get the team into top form. 5 games into the season is far too soon to draw conclusions apart from obvious ones like Stoke aren't scoring enough. With just a few breaks Stoke could be sitting in second place in the Prem. like Southampton and Villa. That would be just as false a position as their present 13th in terms of representing the quality of the squad. Although things haven't gone our way during the 5 matches bar 1 outstanding performance, I am still as confident as I was before the season started that Stoke will be a top ten side. Maybe not 8th as I think Southampton are proving me and a lot of other people wrong, and are much better than expected after their loss of players and manager. I wouldn't advocate sacking him or anything daft, I more meant that there's (rightly) very much a pervading 'in sparky we trust' vibe which might start to wobble a bit if we don't start getting the basics right... |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2014 17:02:28 GMT
Good review again!
|
|
|
|
Post by stokerstayinup on Sept 22, 2014 17:08:10 GMT
I think their honeymoon period ended after last seasons start,and they proved the doubters wrong.Surely finishing in the top 10 entitles them to a bit more respect from us fans especially as it's individual errors that seem to be costing us. IF it carries on, and we keep throwing points away as a result, isn't it the manager's responsibility to take steps to address that? Of course,and I have every confidence that he will sort it and would be surprised if the majority of fans don't feel the same.To suggest theyr'e in a honeymoon period is a bit disrespectful. |
|
|
|
Post by chiefdelilah on Sept 22, 2014 17:21:18 GMT
IF it carries on, and we keep throwing points away as a result, isn't it the manager's responsibility to take steps to address that? Of course,and I have every confidence that he will sort it and would be surprised if the majority of fans don't feel the same.To suggest theyr'e in a honeymoon period is a bit disrespectful. I don't see why. I'm not saying they haven't earned it with their great work last season. I'm just saying that warm, fuzzy glow will increasingly wear off if fixable problems aren't fixed. |
|
|
|
Post by march4 on Sept 22, 2014 17:42:24 GMT
Of course,and I have every confidence that he will sort it and would be surprised if the majority of fans don't feel the same.To suggest theyr'e in a honeymoon period is a bit disrespectful. I don't see why. I'm not saying they haven't earned it with their great work last season. I'm just saying that warm, fuzzy glow will increasingly wear off if fixable problems aren't fixed. I think you are right Rob. We have achieved 3 pts in our toughest fixture of the season and yet only got 2 pts from 4 of our easier games. |
|
|
|
Post by Linx on Sept 22, 2014 18:39:23 GMT
Intelligent writing and comment makes for intellligent responses and a proper discussion. It's good to see a thread free from personal abuse.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2014 18:46:37 GMT
Good write up again Rob.
I don't think you've done Nzonzi's miss justice though,it was an absolute must score chance.
I agree when you say that there wasn't much quality in the game,they were shockingly bad and we gave the ball back to them far too often and far too easily.
Glad you gave Crouch good praise as he was my MOM and him and Diouf look good together and seem to be forging a decent partnership.
|
|
|
|
Post by thepremierbanksy on Sept 22, 2014 19:27:16 GMT
Didn't see the game as I was in Pembrokeshire all weekend. Can anyone tell me what sort of shape the midfield was with Adam in there? Rob's write-up says he played the deeper role, but surely Glenn was still shielding? So was Adam kind of alongside him with N'Zonzi up front or was Adam the middle of a more vertical line of three like we usually play?
|
|
