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Post by robstokie on Aug 28, 2017 19:54:42 GMT
How would you rate us on the strength of our first 3 games?
I would give our start an 8 - considering how tough our opening set of fixtures have been, plus the fact we lost every fixture we have played last seasons.
Positives
Fletcher - I was sceptical about his signing, but he looks a class act. Can run our midfield single-handedly at times, can pass to a tee and was, in my opinion, the best player on the pitch at West Brom (along with Barry) by a mile.
Sparky - He has finally decided to stick with a system, and that decisiveness is paying off. We look like a very well organised and coherent unit, especially when we are defending.
The other new lads - Fletchers been covered, Jese has real quality and looks hungry to prove a point, Zouma is an absolute rock, we obviously know about BMI, Tymon looks like one for the future and Choupo puts in a shift - even if it hasn't quite come off for him just yet.
Return to form for Key Men - Both Ryan and Pieters look somewhere back to near their best. Im especially impressed by Pieters - I was sceptical that he could adapt to playing as a wing back, but has continued to look solid defensively, whilst simultaneously offered decent service down his flank. Add to that GCam has been outstanding both as a centre-half and at right-wing back (yes, it was his his mix up with Zouma that led to the West Brazil goal yesterday) but he was commanding at centre-half and defended his side of the pitch with little help from Shaq yesterday.
Negatives
No cover in midfield - If either Fletcher or Allen pick up an injury, we will be left exposed through the centre of the park and dependent on either Adam or Imbula - which is not a gamble I want to take. Bottom line is - Sparky needs to bust a nut to get in decent cover/competition for Fletcher/Allen
Cohesiveness up top - We have been guilty of overplaying at times, particularly yesterday, but hopefully, with a bit more time for our new boys to strike up an understanding, this wont be too much of a problem for too long.
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Post by riccyfuller93 on Aug 28, 2017 19:56:41 GMT
We've had a good first three games, but we have Man Utd next who will be a big test, think it will be a demolishing with their current form/players. Defensively we look a bit better, still struggling to see where goals will come from.
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Post by robstokie on Aug 28, 2017 20:05:40 GMT
We've had a good first three games, but we have Man Utd next who will be a big test, think it will be a demolishing with their current form/players. Defensively we look a bit better, still struggling to see where goals will come from. United will be a massive test for us but I also think we look like the best side they will come up against so far, it will be the kind of game United have to win if they are serious about going for the title and its at our place with hopefully the best part of 30,000 Stokies screaming blue murder at them, so I wouldn't write us off. |
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Post by alster on Aug 28, 2017 20:11:53 GMT
Definitely 7/8 I would have happily taken 4pts before a ball was kicked. I was sceptical about all our business now I'm just sceptical about most of it but we don't look like we are going to be a pushover. So things are better than I was expecting.
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Aug 28, 2017 20:15:26 GMT
Under cooked.
We'll be far better in the second half of the season.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2017 20:18:44 GMT
7
We look much more solid at the back but I'm still not convinced by the signings of Jese and Choupo.
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Post by swampySCFC on Aug 28, 2017 20:20:31 GMT
Berahino please start scoring. It might help
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Post by manchesterpotter on Aug 28, 2017 20:29:49 GMT
Certainly had better results than expected, but I'm not getting carried away.
We got lucky against Arsenal with their profligacy and the officials' decisions going our way. We've nicked a point from West Brom through a huge defensive error.
We could very easily be talking about three defeats on the bounce. I suppose we'll see how things are by the end of October when we've got through our tough start.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2017 20:34:50 GMT
We've done well up to now, no doubt. The players are getting to know each other quite smoothly. Three or four more games, and we'll have a better idea, plus the new signings coming in, must improve the squad. I honestly thought Mr. Hughes was on a hiding to nothing, but IMHO, things are looking a lot, lot better this transfer window. I get a bit carried away, because I want Stoke to win so much, but you have only to look at the other teams and their squads to realise how difficult this league really is.
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Post by kidcrewbob on Aug 28, 2017 20:35:39 GMT
Better points tally than expected for sure but still some worrying lack of urgency and/or cutting edge at times yesterday - work in progress 6 so far
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Post by CBUFAWKIPWH on Aug 28, 2017 20:40:27 GMT
If the front three of Shaqiri, Jesse and Choupa can get an understanding we've got the potential to unlock any defence, Fletcher and Allen look like a solid midfield 2 and the back three look pretty awesome. Pieters looks fine. A specialist RWB and another striker and we could have a cracking season,
I thought we'd made some decent signings and to be honest its looking better than I'd hoped.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2017 22:05:20 GMT
Assuming we're going to push Zouma forward into midfield and start Wimmer then I think we're looking strong at the back and better in midfield defensively.
We all know we lack a finisher up front the so called focal point but I think we have the players and it's just up to one of them to grab the spot and become the hero.
Still were toothless so 6/8 for me a job half done so far.
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Post by bayernoatcake on Aug 28, 2017 22:14:06 GMT
We've got to blend a way of attacking in to the solid defensive base he's made.
Hopefully that will be addressed in the next few days.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2017 22:18:41 GMT
8/10 for me.
Deserved something at Everton.
Used up a bit of luck to beat Arsenal.
Deserved a win at WBA, on balance.
We look defensively organised. We look like we are playing with a plan, a purpose.
The one key link right now, that we're missing, is that striker who has a bit of everything. And everyone is looking for one of those.
We could do with a little cover here and there, but overall, if last season was the step back that we needed to take to make LMH "wake up and smell the coffee" I'll take that.
The start of this, and the end of last, season are chalk and cheese.
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Post by Gob Bluth on Aug 28, 2017 22:21:49 GMT
I think the main thing is the change in tactics, I think it's a massive positive that we've stopped the half hearted attempts to defend higher up the pitch. I think we look stronger at defending set pieces and for me these were the two most pressing issues from last season.
With regards to personnel, I think Fletcher is a straight swap for Glenn. I think Zouma has contributed to improvement at defending set pieces. Jesse looks exciting, very composed on the ball both offensively and defensively and an improvement on Arnie.
Looking at the formation I think we look even more comfortable than we did last season. Last season it felt like we sometimes had 4 offensive players and the rest defenders and there was a giant gap between the two, this was why I think we struggled going forward. This season it looks much more fluid, Eric's bombing forward and Jesse is back defending.
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Post by Gods on Aug 28, 2017 22:33:35 GMT
We have done better than I expected, I think a proper pre-season helped with that.
Only 2 goals conceded against good opposition in 5 hours of playing time is an excellent effort, but only 2 goals scored as well.
So the fundamental challenge hasn't changed, score some more goals without screwing up the goals against column. If we can somehow square that circle we're in business.
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Post by daveuppercut on Aug 28, 2017 23:42:46 GMT
How would you rate us on the strength of our first 3 games? I would give our start an 8 - considering how tough our opening set of fixtures have been, plus the fact we lost every fixture we have played last seasons. Positives Fletcher - I was sceptical about his signing, but he looks a class act. Can run our midfield single-handedly at times, can pass to a tee and was, in my opinion, the best player on the pitch at West Brom (along with Barry) by a mile. Sparky - He has finally decided to stick with a system, and that decisiveness is paying off. We look like a very well organised and coherent unit, especially when we are defending. The other new lads - Fletchers been covered, Jese has real quality and looks hungry to prove a point, Zouma is an absolute rock, we obviously know about BMI, Tymon looks like one for the future and Choupo puts in a shift - even if it hasn't quite come off for him just yet. Return to form for Key Men - Both Ryan and Pieters look somewhere back to near their best. Im especially impressed by Pieters - I was sceptical that he could adapt to playing as a wing back, but has continued to look solid defensively, whilst simultaneously offered decent service down his flank. Add to that GCam has been outstanding both as a centre-half and at right-wing back (yes, it was his his mix up with Zouma that led to the West Brazil goal yesterday) but he was commanding at centre-half and defended his side of the pitch with little help from Shaq yesterday. Negatives No cover in midfield - If either Fletcher or Allen pick up an injury, we will be left exposed through the centre of the park and dependent on either Adam or Imbula - which is not a gamble I want to take. Bottom line is - Sparky needs to bust a nut to get in decent cover/competition for Fletcher/Allen Cohesiveness up top - We have been guilty of overplaying at times, particularly yesterday, but hopefully, with a bit more time for our new boys to strike up an understanding, this wont be too much of a problem for too long. Interesting use of the phrase "bust a nut" but I'm struggling to see how it would help us get cover for Fletcher and Allen  |
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Post by Staffsoatcake on Aug 28, 2017 23:54:42 GMT
I had us finishing in the bottom 3,in the Premier league forecast,a few weeks ago,I no longer think that,going by our first 3 games,I can see another top 10 finish.
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Post by pottarius on Aug 29, 2017 0:19:31 GMT
The side looks like it knows what it is supposed to be doing & coupled with a sensible and focused pre-season we have hit the ground running. Getting shot of the old war-horses was always going to be controversial but it immediately gave the squad a fresher feel, a feeling that we are progressing at last
Kudos to Hughes for his sudden change to a plan (and sticking to it so far), and kudos to the CEO/owners as I thought LMH was lucky to survive at the end of last season but they stuck with him. Hopefully the owners will give Hughes the dosh this week to make the side from solid mid-table into one that can aim for the top-8
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