Griff's red card (joke) Simmo and Sidibe

[Danstoke82]

Ok...ok, that red card yesterday. I don't think D'Urso could get it out quick enough. I've seen more dangerous tackles go unpunished...but a straight red? hmmm....ok then. There is no doubt that that card should be squashed out, it wasn't even a bookable offence in all honesty, seeing as though in the second half, their boy Rowlands chopped down Liam I think from behind and actually made contact, the ref however didn't even book him. But we all know what a disgraceful decision it was, I'm surprised Liam and Griff didn't deck the twat.

The red card however cannot hide a pretty pitiful performance from the whole side. Diao is just way off the pace and got caught out on the ball too many times. QPR were playing it to the pacy Ephriam and tricky Buszaky. Pugh and Griff were finding it hard to keep them quiet and as for Vine, well...he chased down everything. We were just not at the races yesterday and it showed. Although I have to take my hat off to Tone. He was cool and collected in the post match interview. Usually tossers like Neil Warnock cannot resist a rant and a rave at an undoubtedly ridiculous decision by a referee many regard as a top flight ref. Its easy to see why he don't ref many matches up there anymore, but again, it wasn't down to the ref as to why we lost yesterday.

Some blame Simmo. All in all, Simmo has shaky moments at the back, you have your heart in your mouth when he goes to catch a ball. But Simmo has been a true professional for us, ok, so he hasn't had much competition for his place, but he has been steady for us and on his day he is one of the best. He had no chance with either of the Leigertwood goals, they were great strikes and really the Buszaky goal was pretty much beyond him too. Simmo's flaw is he is not present enough in commanding his box, he needs to shout more and get stuck in. However, the problem lies in defence. Now I will never criticise anything about the team and without doubt, Shawcross and Cort are two very strong and capable defenders. Shawcross is still learning his trade and is a huge prospect, the problem is, as they are such a new partnership, there is no instant understanding between them, no communcation, that was evident yesterday. They both like to get forward and therefore if we mess up a set piece, both have to bolt it back. This was so clear yesterday with the third goal when Gally...GALLY!!...who is one of our best attacking weapons, was tracking back, with Cort trying to get back. There is very little communication between the two and it is conceding too many goals. Leigertwood should never been allowed to run in on his own for his second goal.

I cannot condemn what Cort and Shawcross have done this season, but if we are realistic about our chances then they need to sort their acts out. I love the fact they score goals for us, but I'd love it even more if they would keep them out the other end. Simmo needs to shout at them, tell them where to be and command his area. If this can be rectified then we might have a chance.

As for Mama Sidibe, well I've always tried to keep an open mind on him. I cannot doubt the fact that the guy works his arse off for Fuller, but surely, thats not enough. One goal all season for a striker trying to fire his side to automatic promotion. It simply is not good enough. I know Tone loves him, but he has to release that if Fuller is having an off day or a dry patch, then the goals just will not come from Sidibe. I would of loved to see us bring in an Agyemang or Adebola, but whilst Mama is fit, Tone has complete faith in the guy. Work rate is one thing for a striker, but scoring goals is another and just the one strike all season is not enough. Even Beast has one more goal than him. Fair enough, yesterday Mama had a go, although I thought he may lob the keeper when he intercepted that mistake by their defender Connolly, I'd rather seen Riccy on the end of that one and that is how bad the confidence is with some fans regarding Mama. Some love him, some hate him. I will never begrudge his work rate, but the whole head it on to Riccy thing sometimes just dont work.

The question is whether Tone is strong enough to make that change and drop Mama, Gally or Cressy would relish that chance up there, Gally more so as he shouldn't really be on the bench. We all know Fuller has his days when he looks totally disinterested, yet he gave it a shot upfront on his own. With a player with the trickery and eye for goal like Gally or the fox in the box type presence of Cressy upfront, it may give Fuller that kick up the arse. If Mama struggles to score in the Champ, then what will happen to him up against players like Terry, Ferdinand and Gallas in the Premiership?.

One thing is for certain, Stoke like to do things the hard way, thats how we have learned to deal with things all these years, I do hope that all the hard work they have done is not in vain however, as this is our best chance at achieving our goal of top flight football.. I will always believe, but it's now down to Tone and Mark O'Connor to make some real big decisions which will in turn, shape the outcome for the rest of our season.

BE LOYAL, BE PROUD, BE STOKE!!

GOARRRNNNN YOU MIGHTY POTTERS!!!