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Post by chiefdelilah on Jun 1, 2015 22:53:18 GMT
Thanks to everyone who's read/enjoyed/recommended the blog to people this season. bit.ly/1GTzcYN |
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Jun 1, 2015 23:41:21 GMT
Fantastic read. I always enjoy your summaries, a kind of vicarious extension of the pleasure and pain I've experienced at the match or watching on the box. I don't always agree with the conclusions but I've gotta say this season's summary is the TRUTH. I hope we don't revisit set pieces, complacency and injuries, {and suspect subbing} too often next season. Brill, and thanks for your efforts Chief.  |
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Post by Olgrligm on Jun 2, 2015 0:20:35 GMT
I can't argue with a word of that, another excellent write up. Not exactly sure you should be admitting to finding a strange beauty in iron maidens though!  Putting aside the frustration at our injury record (and the crapitulations against Man City amd Blackburn that it prompted), it really has been a fantastic season, hasn't it? The very mention of Bojan's wizardry earlier in the year makes me giddy in anticipation for next year. The frightening thing is that we're a very, very good side right now and you can still see where we need to strengthen to improve the side. Just how good can we get with, say, a right back and centre back of Ryan Shawcross' standard, an upgraded destroyer and a couple of new wingers? |
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Post by harryburrows on Jun 2, 2015 5:09:38 GMT
Great read Rob as it's been all season , cheers
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Post by cousindupree on Jun 2, 2015 6:03:28 GMT
Congrats Rob an eruditious Tour de Force which summarises an amazing season quite perfectly.Thanks
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Jun 2, 2015 6:41:19 GMT
Excellent Rob. I don't know what you do for a living but, when you chose your career path, the world of journalism lost a potential legend.
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Post by Clem Fandango on Jun 2, 2015 7:04:19 GMT
Great read Rob it truly has been a very good season to achieve what we have.
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Post by cheekymatt71 on Jun 2, 2015 7:52:59 GMT
Nice Rob and I think your last point is a vital one about having Adam at home against the weaker opposition can make such a big difference.
Adam has contributed so many vital wins that its hugely important that we keep hold of him to help us unlock those stubborn defences from deep. He doesnt offer enough away against the bigger teams (just the odd 64 yard lob) but for all those supporters that say he doesnt FIT the system. Hes shown that if we tweak the system in certain games we can solve different types problems depending on the opposition.
Having different strings to our bow is vital and I think thats what sets the great managers from the good. The good managers find one approach that they are comfortable with. The great managers can tweak things using a deeper squad to outthink the opposition before a ball is kicked.
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Post by chiefdelilah on Jun 2, 2015 7:55:42 GMT
Nice Rob and I think your last point is a vital one about having Adam at home against the weaker opposition can make such a big difference. Adam has contributed so many vital wins that its hugely important that we keep hold of him to help us unlock those stubborn defences from deep. He doesnt offer enough away against the bigger teams (just the odd 64 yard lob) but for all those supporters that say he doesnt FIT the system. Hes shown that if we tweak the system in certain games we can solve different types problems depending on the opposition. Having different strings to our bow is vital and I think thats what sets the great managers from the good. The good managers find one approach that they are comfortable with. The great managers can tweak things using a deeper squad to outthink the opposition before a ball is kicked. I think it's good that we've looked at doing that Matt, but it also shouldn't be ignored that it's an experiment hasn't actually worked yet. Adam in Whelan's place means leaving the back door open and has yielded one point from six in winnable home games. We need to get the balance right. Maybe that will come if a slightly more dynamic holding midfielder comes in. |
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Jun 2, 2015 8:03:08 GMT
Nice Rob and I think your last point is a vital one about having Adam at home against the weaker opposition can make such a big difference. Adam has contributed so many vital wins that its hugely important that we keep hold of him to help us unlock those stubborn defences from deep. He doesnt offer enough away against the bigger teams (just the odd 64 yard lob) but for all those supporters that say he doesnt FIT the system. Hes shown that if we tweak the system in certain games we can solve different types problems depending on the opposition. Having different strings to our bow is vital and I think thats what sets the great managers from the good. The good managers find one approach that they are comfortable with. The great managers can tweak things using a deeper squad to outthink the opposition before a ball is kicked. I think it's good that we've looked at doing that Matt, but it also shouldn't be ignored that it's an experiment hasn't actually worked yet. Adam in Whelan's place means leaving the back door open and has yielded one point from six in winnable home games. We need to get the balance right. Maybe that will come if a slightly more dynamic holding midfielder comes in. Where do you stand on Cattermole, Rob? Unlike many on here I can see why Hughes covets him. He's a better player than many on here think and, in recent years, his red card excesses have been much reduced. Still likes his yellows but players in that position often seem to get more than their share. |
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Post by cheekymatt71 on Jun 2, 2015 8:12:13 GMT
I think it's good that we've looked at doing that Matt, but it also shouldn't be ignored that it's an experiment hasn't actually worked yet. Adam in Whelan's place means leaving the back door open and has yielded one point from six in winnable home games. We need to get the balance right. Maybe that will come if a slightly more dynamic holding midfielder comes in. Where do you stand on Cattermole, Rob? Unlike many on here I can see why Hughes covets him. He's a better player than many on here think and, in recent years, his red card excesses have been much reduced. Still likes his yellows but players in that position often seem to get more than their share. For the Whelan replacement I would go for someone like Dembele at Spurs. He has the passing range plus a good shot on him. He started as a box-to-box midfielder but has become a holding midfielder and his positioning is good enough to protect the back 4. He is a good tackler whenever Ive seen him Not quite as defensive at Whelan or Cattermole but better in that position than we can get from Sidwell/Nzonzi who are classical central midfielders |
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Post by chiefdelilah on Jun 2, 2015 8:20:35 GMT
I think it's good that we've looked at doing that Matt, but it also shouldn't be ignored that it's an experiment hasn't actually worked yet. Adam in Whelan's place means leaving the back door open and has yielded one point from six in winnable home games. We need to get the balance right. Maybe that will come if a slightly more dynamic holding midfielder comes in. Where do you stand on Cattermole, Rob? Unlike many on here I can see why Hughes covets him. He's a better player than many on here think and, in recent years, his red card excesses have been much reduced. Still likes his yellows but players in that position often seem to get more than their share. I really like him LP. I think he's disciplined (positionally if nothing else) and he uses the ball well, and he's a bit quicker in thought and deed than Glenn too. I can't see Sunderland letting him go to a rival though after staying up. I like Dembele as a player but can't honestly say I've ever seen him play as a proper holding mid. Whenever I've seen him his instincts have been to drive forward and I don't think you can have your holding player do that too much - they've got to be the one to plug the gaps when the others go forward. |
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Post by jaybee on Jun 2, 2015 8:39:05 GMT
Great stuff as always .... #pedant mode# 4th paragraph towards the end about Charlie "vengeance on everyone and everyone" ... everything?  |
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Post by chiefdelilah on Jun 2, 2015 8:40:52 GMT
Great stuff as always .... #pedant mode# 4th paragraph towards the end about Charlie "vengeance on everyone and everyone" ... everything? It should indeed say 'everything', thanks will change that! |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2015 8:46:40 GMT
Good write up that. You need to stop worrying so much about Diouf's touch though.......... |
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Post by foster on Jun 2, 2015 8:57:45 GMT
Rob, good summary.
I have a question in regards to this statement on Adam...
"He has never started more than 22 games in a single Stoke City season, yet the number of points he’s earned us in that time with vital goals and assists is frightening."
Do you actually know the number of points he earned us? I was expecting to see a figure here.
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Post by Kjones9 on Jun 2, 2015 9:04:26 GMT
Here's to top 4 next season.
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Post by redstriper on Jun 2, 2015 9:07:24 GMT
Excellent and insightful as always, I hope you continue to sum up the individual games with the 5 conclusion format as it complements the standard reporting of games those of us who don't get there every week rely on from the national press.
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Post by Clayton Wood on Jun 2, 2015 9:11:14 GMT
Good read. Not sure about that 64-yard lob at Stamford Bridge. That conjures up a vision of an underarm toss of a stone into a pond, a delicate cushion chip in tennis. Charlie's certainly wasn't that. The injury toll when you see it laid out like that, including the few weeks here few weeks there type ones, bring home the season's achievements. Next season's review should be a belter, I hope!
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Post by chiefdelilah on Jun 2, 2015 9:37:09 GMT
Rob, good summary. I have a question in regards to this statement on Adam... "He has never started more than 22 games in a single Stoke City season, yet the number of points he’s earned us in that time with vital goals and assists is frightening." Do you actually know the number of points he earned us? I was expecting to see a figure here. Not an exact science Fozz but I make it 29 points over three seasons. |
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Post by mrcoke on Jun 2, 2015 16:38:18 GMT
A great essay as usual that covers all the bases succinctly and with which I would find nothing to take issue. Many thanks again for your efforts.
I particularly liked part 4 about "the right DNA", which for me sets Stoke apart from many clubs. I can understand why MH wants to bring Cattermole into the "family".
The drop off in performance at set pieces I attribute to lack of practice, but I can understand that if MH is seeking more explosive and spontaneous match play and not wanting to tire players or induce staleness by too much time on the practice field.
The increase in injuries is in part IMO due to the change in style of play to a faster, quick changes in pace, and more rapid cadence. This can only be minimised by an improved fitness regime and more thorough warming up.
You say the next level is not too far away and then refer to it being "mythical". IMO the next level for Stoke is to emulate the team immediately above them, Swansea, and not lose to any teams at home that are below them in the league and not lose away to teams that are in the bottom quarter. If Stoke were to do this and continue to be a "graveyard" for the visiting top teams then European football is achievable.
Finally, I think we fans have to broaden our views on team selection. We all like to indulge in our favoured "XI", but the reality is top teams need to have two top quality players challenging for each position and players need to be interchanged seamlessly depending on fitness, availability (e.g. suspension), and nature of the opposition. So I think talk of Whelan's heir is misplaced, what we need is two top half Prem proficient DMs, either of whom can be selected.
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Post by PotteringThrough on Jun 2, 2015 16:54:32 GMT
Great read.
I do agree the injuries issue does need scrutiny however I also think it's just been a really unlucky one for us as well. I can't remember us suffering that much last year however maybe they didn't come in and change everything straight away and this season has been a culmination of niggles.
It is something that needs addressing though, especially in defence. We need to get consistency there so Ryan and Muni in particular need to overcome the personal injuries they've had.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2015 16:57:51 GMT
Your best work of the season
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Post by hartzchoco on Jun 2, 2015 16:58:45 GMT
Damn fine read, as always. Could have done without the pic of Bojan after his injury, however. Heart went straight to my throat.  |
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Post by Kjones9 on Jun 2, 2015 17:23:17 GMT
I feel quite down after reading that tbh.
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Post by onlyonesirstan on Jun 2, 2015 18:20:59 GMT
Thanks again for another brilliant report. On behalf of both my dad and myself, much appreciated.
Have a great summer off, and we look forward to reading your reports next season.
Cheers Mate
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2015 19:49:40 GMT
Top stuff again Rob.
Towards the end of the season I was a bit flat and was thinking that we could have done so much better, but the Liverpool game finished the season on a real high, and then reading that has made me remember that it has indeed been a superb season under the circumstances.
Can't wait for the new season now and if we can keep hold of our top players and add a few quality faces to the squad who knows where we can finish.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2015 20:00:22 GMT
Thanks to everyone who's read/enjoyed/recommended the blog to people this season. bit.ly/1GTzcYNOutstanding piece of writing mate. Really enjoyed that. Great stuff. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2015 0:43:41 GMT
Super piece, hard to believe it's Stoke that is the subject under focus. I'd add one thing. Jack Butland - a revelation. Thanks mate.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Jun 3, 2015 6:39:41 GMT
Thanks Rob, enjoyed your blog again this season.
You've touched on the biggest challenge next season. After battering Tottenham and Liverpool, how many teams are going to come to Stoke and take us on? Maybe only the current top 4. Everybody else will get men behind the ball, frustrate us and try to nick something.
It's a compliment of course, but we have to find a way to break teams down and get that early first goal at home. If we could do that consistently, the sky's the limit.
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