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Post by mermaidsal on Dec 12, 2020 18:08:06 GMT
Be still my beating heart... but at least we got containment right this time and great to see Bursik gaining confidence, I want to believe in this mixed run of games we've got our defensive routines on the way to sorted again. And maybe looking like real promotion candidates was more pressure than we could handle this early in the season? Given what Mick clearly set out to do, I guess that counts as a good day at the office then...
7 from me
(add * if you managed to sneak in)
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Post by mermaidsal on Dec 8, 2020 22:14:16 GMT
Dammit the air at the top tasted so sweet for those few minutes Agreeing with what's been said, good line-up considering the lack of options (cheers Colin) but we can't be looking for promotion with such a negative gameplan against opposition like Baadiff. Getting deja vu again, I'm sure I was writing exactly these words about Tone more than ten years ago... 5 from me too
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Post by mermaidsal on Dec 5, 2020 17:18:55 GMT
That ref shouldn't be in the professional game and Colin wants hanging by his bollocks. That was a 3-0 performance if we hadn't been hacked off the park, I thought the way we held it together in the face of all that crap was amazing - could you imagine any other post-relegation Stoke side even getting near? Good selection. Defensive routines improving week on week. Getting confidence in our own creativity despite Colin and the ref (but, delighted to note we bossed the Fouls stats). It's a while since I've proper looked forward to an SCFC Christmas.
9 from me
* add * if by any chance....
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Post by mermaidsal on Nov 28, 2020 17:03:28 GMT
Tone hasn't lost his touch, he can still prevent football being played within a 30 mile radius. So, hardly like they threatened to overrun us but all the same, good for our confidence not to concede and we really were tighter. Beyond that, just thank the lord I didn't even have the option of an afternoon in Sheffield. As for Mick you can only play what's in front of you but we really could have gone for a bit more penetration than that against a relegation-haunted side?
6 from me
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Post by mermaidsal on Nov 25, 2020 17:40:30 GMT
Sorry this is late, nothing to do with the result just my rubbish time management. So, just plain old school caught cold first half - outplayed, outthought, our keeper situation exploited - not a lot Mick could do about the last of those but the first two, yes. But then a proper SCFC fighting second half when sadly we just had too much catching up to do. Norwich are a good side for sure but I don't see them as champs at the end of the season, we've had better opposition. 7 sound fair on balance? You forgot to put ‘* if you went’, Sal 😉 7 from me also Still convinced someone from the Oatie is secretly on the medical team or groundstaff or a player even and is getting in somehow Or even Mick, love you Mick... xx
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Post by mermaidsal on Nov 24, 2020 22:50:47 GMT
Sorry this is late, nothing to do with the result just my rubbish time management. So, just plain old school caught cold first half - outplayed, outthought, our keeper situation exploited - not a lot Mick could do about the last of those but the first two, yes. But then a proper SCFC fighting second half when sadly we just had too much catching up to do. Norwich are a good side for sure but I don't see them as champs at the end of the season, we've had better opposition.
7 sound fair on balance?
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Post by mermaidsal on Nov 21, 2020 17:06:41 GMT
Holy cow Mick doesn't make this easy. Huddersfield are a good side though and certainly weren't giving it away today so respect where it's due. We're loose at the back again, what's happened? At least it's now two steps forward and one step back not the other way round but, sorry to be a stuck record, we have to be able to close sides down and consistently stop them playing. I loved how we kept pushing on, I loved the game of football. Just don't scare me so much please?
On balance... 8 from me
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Post by mermaidsal on Nov 7, 2020 17:39:28 GMT
Just one word (well, number), been saving this up long enough:
10
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Post by mermaidsal on Nov 4, 2020 21:49:05 GMT
That was the most pathetic thread as well as stupidly sexist (even if some of it was meant to be tongue in cheek). Ange has forgotten more about this club and the game than most of us will ever know. She must be quite forgetful. Or fortunate. haha, too late now to go back and make myself clearer but you know what I mean (think she forgets almost nothing in fact)
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Post by mermaidsal on Nov 4, 2020 21:46:21 GMT
Just out of interest what happened to the Angela Smith thread ! A picture of Angela Smith was posted with an inappropriate comment considering she uses this message board. That was the most pathetic thread as well as stupidly sexist (even if some of it was meant to be tongue in cheek). Ange has forgotten more about this club and the game than most of us will ever know.
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Post by mermaidsal on Nov 4, 2020 21:20:27 GMT
Unlucky to lose to an absurd refereeing decision, or lucky to stay with a better team for so long? On tonight's evidence Watford are the best side I've seen in this league this season, lovely mix of flair and steel. They looked top two, we looked upper mid-table - about right then. We didn't play that well but for me that was more about them stopping us than our own shortcomings. Considering how successfully they choked us back, I was seeing character on the pitch and good strong management from Mick - it would have been a lucky point maybe but was an unluckier loss given the handball.
Wonder if I'll be top mark? From some of tonight's posts, could be. But I think a few people should get real:
8 from me
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Post by mermaidsal on Oct 31, 2020 21:35:33 GMT
When we went up last time I don’t remember that side playing everyone off the pitch? Keep us around the play offs with players to come back and a Jan window to come....keep the faith! Agreed, tempting fate but there's a lot about this season reminding me of the promotion season
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Post by mermaidsal on Oct 31, 2020 17:21:15 GMT
Ok made it, 3 points in the bag, no complaints or not exactly - and you have to say, a vindication for the pick your games rotation system that gave us the Swansea performance since injuries allowing we got the first X1 back for the winnable match. Infinitely better team selection was the basis of everything, which has been the story most of this season - but it was only Rotherham, they'll be fighting relegation all season I suspect, Mick really should have been after better than 1-0. 7 from me 8 - I enjoyed the game. The second half was much less exciting than the first, but him reverting to a back four was a good sign. We were very much a 'nearly' team. Broke fast with the ball, caused a few problems, never really looked like conceding (barring one cross come shot that hit the bar). You're right about the back four, that's a good sign fingers crossed
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Post by mermaidsal on Oct 31, 2020 17:16:48 GMT
xxx
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Post by mermaidsal on Oct 31, 2020 17:08:40 GMT
Ok made it, 3 points in the bag, no complaints or not exactly - and you have to say, a vindication for the pick your games rotation system that gave us the Swansea performance since injuries allowing we got the first X1 back for the winnable match. Infinitely better team selection was the basis of everything, which has been the story most of this season - but it was only Rotherham, they'll be fighting relegation all season I suspect, Mick really should have been after better than 1-0.
7 from me
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Post by mermaidsal on Oct 27, 2020 22:03:53 GMT
Can't wait much longer Sal. 3 from me dire from start to finish, shite negative tactics, shite team selection. Let's hope it's just a small blip eh. Gouranga. Cheers, I was too pissed off to start the thread honestly. That interview about collecting points had me worried already, you have to grab a game to win it. Like you say, weak tactics, poor selection, just couldn't see the quality tonight. Hopefully lessons learned but I'm not liking this pattern of one bad, one good but then slides straight back down again, lessons really don't seem to be staying learned. 4 from me
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Post by mermaidsal on Oct 24, 2020 17:12:01 GMT
Davies - 6 no chance with either goal Smith - 6 struggled against Henry Collins - 6 very quiet game Souttar - 7 commanding Chester - 5 he scares the shit out of me McClean - 7 close for man of the match Mikel - 7 great first 65 mins then disappeared Thompson - 6 didn't even realise he was on the pitch Brown - 6 poor outing Fletcher 6 - scored but didn't do much else Campbell - 7 MOM over Souttar (just) Vokes - 5 Oakley Booth - not on long enough Tymon - 4 what a piss poor sub appearance Chester and Souttar, bang on - lord help us without Harry
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Post by mermaidsal on Oct 24, 2020 17:09:11 GMT
You took the words out of my mouth, mind if I do a title change? x
I really, really like Mick's ability to take himself by the scruff of the neck as well as some players. After Barnsley, really good turnaround. Agreed about line-up and... formation is getting there but for me is more of a work in progress that's now capable of having good days. Brentford are a quality side no question. But a second successive home game where we ship 2 goals should be raising a few questions so it's:
8 from me
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Post by mermaidsal on Oct 21, 2020 21:28:41 GMT
Mixed, mixed and mixed. Really not sure how to rate tonight - how does ok after a brainstorm sound? In the end I felt like we held on well but wishing we could only play second halves and only play away games (and again have this sense of deja vu, these are things we were saying about Tone 10 years ago).
7 sound fair for MoN on balance?
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France
Oct 21, 2020 21:25:03 GMT
Post by mermaidsal on Oct 21, 2020 21:25:03 GMT
The 'woke elite' have cultural power. They have this because they know and understand useful stuff about how the world works because they've taken the trouble to learn it. They shape our world often, except when bonehead populists work on people to overthrow a culture led by ideas and understanding - Trump, Bolsonaro, to an extent Johnson (who's really just an old school charlatan) etc. The oligarchs etc have very little cultural power. They just have money. They don't influence the way ordinary people live except to make some of them greedy. The 'woke' causes are indicators of a free, liberal, inclusive culture. Is there some reason you don't want to live in a culture like that? We could probably do a whip round for a one-way ticket to Alabama or Ukraine if that would work better for you? Sorry? So you're suggesting you actually want to live in a world of woke, rich white kids being seen to be doing good, but not actually doing good? Wow. Edit: I assume your post is a joke? The Islington elite have cultural power because they understand the way the world works? That's a seriously dumb suggestion. No, not joking remotely. I'd be very happy indeed to live in a world influenced by empowered LGBT+, BAME, disabled and working class voices. What Islington has to do with that I'm not sure, have you ever lived there, do you know anything about it other than what you've read??
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France
Oct 17, 2020 19:33:48 GMT
Post by mermaidsal on Oct 17, 2020 19:33:48 GMT
Nah the woke elite are on much higher horses than us 😉 There is no such thing as a woke elite mate. The type of people that make up the elite, in the traditional sense, are Arab sheikhs, Russian oligarchs, Chinese and Indian billionaires, the upper classes and so on... not really the type of people who have ever been much into yogurt knitting, transsexual rights, BLM or any of the other “woke” causes that generally get knickers in such a twist on here. You’re still entirely wrong about contempt of court laws but I apologise for my tone earlier. I was brutally hungover It was patronising you’re right, and that’s bad posting. Again, I’m sorry fella. You seem a good bloke but I would politely suggest that when you have a string of posts liked by carpslayer, it should serve as a wake-up call. Your enemy’s enemy is not necessarily your friend. He’s the friend of no one with decency. He’s far right, racist and full of hate. Beware The 'woke elite' have cultural power. They have this because they know and understand useful stuff about how the world works because they've taken the trouble to learn it. They shape our world often, except when bonehead populists work on people to overthrow a culture led by ideas and understanding - Trump, Bolsonaro, to an extent Johnson (who's really just an old school charlatan) etc. The oligarchs etc have very little cultural power. They just have money. They don't influence the way ordinary people live except to make some of them greedy. The 'woke' causes are indicators of a free, liberal, inclusive culture. Is there some reason you don't want to live in a culture like that? We could probably do a whip round for a one-way ticket to Alabama or Ukraine if that would work better for you?
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Post by mermaidsal on Oct 17, 2020 16:05:41 GMT
If it wasn't for the entire first half I'd be reaching for my first 10 of the league season, whatever Mick did at HT was pure magic (why does this feel like rating a TP game 10 years ago?? drives you mad while not conceding, then suddenly we wake up). And must admit I loved putting one up Nate, I don't understand what's got them top six other than a lucky start. One more proud to be a Stokie day, got to be good. So that makes: 6 first half, 10 second half plus 1 for doing Nathan Jones = 9 from me I keep saying add * if you somehow were there, one of us must surely be on the medical team or something, or a player who'll admit to reading the Oatie... you on a promise tonight Sal your early haha depends what time he gets back from Luton....
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Post by mermaidsal on Oct 17, 2020 15:56:45 GMT
If it wasn't for the entire first half I'd be reaching for my first 10 of the league season, whatever Mick did at HT was pure magic (why does this feel like rating a TP game 10 years ago?? drives you mad while not conceding, then suddenly we wake up). And must admit I loved putting one up Nate, I don't understand what's got them top six other than a lucky start. One more proud to be a Stokie day, got to be good.
So that makes: 6 first half, 10 second half plus 1 for doing Nathan Jones = 9 from me
I keep saying add * if you somehow were there, one of us must surely be on the medical team or something, or a player who'll admit to reading the Oatie...
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Post by mermaidsal on Oct 4, 2020 16:21:20 GMT
But still a way to go with the league side - not a desperately worrying performance but it was like we forgot to put our teeth in today. It's not like us to commit only half the fouls Brum did, to win we consistently need to be equal or ahead on that stat, we're a combative side - whereas we had loads of possession but didn't convert it and only rescued a point late on.
Who's this one on? For me it felt like system, manager and players about equally. Something just not connecting right today and it's only the number of other sides making hesitant starts that leaves us mid-table.
6 from me
please add * if you sneaked in
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Post by mermaidsal on Oct 1, 2020 20:57:29 GMT
We officially have a cup run - also a strong, fluent, assured football team. Not just a team but, given the changes for tonight, a system, an identity as SCFC I feel like I haven't seen since Tone. Long way to go yet but feeling great about being a Stokie again.
9 from me
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Post by mermaidsal on Sept 27, 2020 11:36:37 GMT
see at last someone else sensible
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Post by mermaidsal on Sept 26, 2020 17:11:27 GMT
In haste, complicated day here (!) - that was just such an important win, so many things done right that we'd have messed up a year ago. Without playing that well, we converted the dominance (which we may well have had with 11 of them on the pitch), having got the lead we held onto it, clean sheet, 3 away points - and all that after a not great league performance last time out. Proper good management Mick.
9 from me
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Post by mermaidsal on Sept 23, 2020 21:48:39 GMT
It should have been easy tbh... good performance, dominated all through, didn't really need to get out of third gear so we didn't... we're learning so much about the squad this way and, never know, there could be a real live cup run here.
8 from me
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Post by mermaidsal on Sept 20, 2020 22:19:21 GMT
Sorry Sal you snooze you lose a bit like Stoke today. 4 from me a poor defensive formation that he never looked like changing even when we looked like we had zero threat or zero pace or zero creativity. Fox looked awful, Mikel not much better, Powell should have been subbed and the defense was back to it's shit worst again. Zero chances on target and zero chances created. It was fucking awful to watch and painful to take. Gouranga. Sal loves O"Neill nothing you can do or say will stop the love Wouldn't be so sure about that tonight
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Post by mermaidsal on Sept 20, 2020 21:57:12 GMT
Cheers Albs.
Way too negative at home. I've no idea if we could have played better than v Milwall, no-one seemed confident enough to try. It was like something choked the lads today. Above all tho MoN was badly outthought by a visiting manager - Brizzle are a decent side but never should be two goals better than us at home.
A generous 4
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