STOKE v LOWER POSITION TEAMS?

[PMac]

The run in to the end of the season shows we have BCFC and Watford to play (big 6 pointers) but mainly lower positioned teams.
People ask if (after 2 scrappy defeats) we can still make automatic promotion.

I'd love to think so but we are (again) faced with games to play against (on paper) teams with less ability and results.
This is my personal worry about Stoke.

Again, we have shown we don't perform against these teams who seem more prepared and organised and put that bit more effort into their games against us.

Why is that?
Why can we play fantastic football against the better teams (West Brom - Wolves away - Charlton) yet let ourselves down against lower positioned teams?

Games like Sheff Wed away and Blackpool at home should have most of us penning "3 points" on our predictions for the run in, based on their current League positions?
Yet these games are the most frustrating and often scrappy affairs where we're all left ruing our chances and leaving the grounds with huge question marks over our heads.

This is the most crucial chance the club have had in some 23 years of playing football and yes, the club have actually spent money and put something substantial behind our Premiership aspirations - so what is it that seems to be undoing the good work we've put in lately?

Bad luck?
Team selection?
Arrogance?
Tactical awareness?
Fear?

I for one do like the way Pulis has gone about his role this season - even on Sunday in front of the TV cameras he was cool and collected when questioned about Griffs red card. He was logical and sensible with his answers when most people who saw the challenge were spouting hot steam from their ears - Including Chris Kamara!

So TP seems to be keeping a cool head - fine. But is this enough to get the team back together and believe the way "they" play is good enough to earn Stoke City a £30+ MILLION windfall that would change the club in the immediate future?

He MUST concentrate on the ability of each player and get them back to their supporting roles of each other. Shoot on goal when the time is right (like that lad did from QPR), take our chances and not be too nervous when a scoring opportunity presents itself.
Get Fuller back on track and don't play the likes of Diao when he's not 100% fit.
Inspire the likes of Gallagher and Lawrence who, on their day, are among the best players in the Division.

Nest 3 games WILL decide the season in terms of Auto Promotion, then the two against Bristol and Watford will be HUGE Cup finals that could open countless riches or - close the door on our dreams.
Thoughts?

Thanks,

Mac

[mumf14]

Guts, determination, pride,will to win....That's all that is needed from Stoke City.

11 FIT PLAYERS, AND TWO GOALSCORERS UP FRONT.. MIGHT HELP TOO.!

[PMac]

Ok,
So what is it that so clearly changes between matches?

I know we can't win EVERY game, but after the recent winning streak - to go to the last two performances where we concede 5 goals for none in reply say something about the teams approach and possibly attitude during the games?
At 2-0 down at half time on Sunday I didn't think we were down and out - But to concede a third and have players on he pitch doing things wrong was alarming to say the least.

There's not being able to put chances away and having a plan in terms of approach play.
What went wrong against Preston and QPR that cost us so heavily?

[JoeinOz]

What went wrong against Preston and QPR that cost us so heavily?

Shyte defending PMac. Shyte defending. The first at QPR was a great strike BUT they broke with the ball and had it for ages without a substantial challenge. The second was awful from our perspective. Ball into the box breaks and none of ours are anywhere near the ball. Again, good strike but nobody checked his run and we'd let a second ball go. That is just wank. The third (offside) came from our free kick and they went through us like a knife through margarine. Being a man down is a slight excuse BUT the players out there failed to do their job. A free kick as wank as that one was is asking for trouble.

Our defence has been rubbish for a while. As far ago as letting in a late daft goal at Blackpool then a late daft one at home to Brazil. Those things are coming home to roost and need rectifying NOW.

[Deleted]

Joe that is spot on, I mentioned in my Pulis rating for that Blackpool match that he did everything right apart form stamping out these silly mistakes. The fact is he hasn't. Tony then finally gets a game against Ipswich that yeids a clean sheet, so lo and behold the next game he just has to put Danny Pugh back in and break that clean sheet keeping defense. I most certainly would change that defense around for the Burnley match. I would go with Wilko(Griff if card is recinded) Riggot Shawcross and Dicko(I think he will play Buxton) moving Pugh back into the middle to cover the loss of Whelan.

[soicowboy]

We were poor and made an ordinary team look good


First goal came from our corner- third from our free kick.


If we played anywhere as near well as we can we would beat QPR- sadly today we didn't.


Have to pick ourselves up for Saturday and forget about it.

[JoeinOz]

A win at home to Burnley will blow some of these cobwebs away. With two fiddly away games coming up a win would be most appreciated.