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Post by chuffed on Mar 4, 2008 23:35:51 GMT
I know its a bit of psychology bull but the fact is the pressure of being on top is ridiculous, I reckon were better off sitting in 2nd or 3rd until say last match or so of the season, let Watford and West Brom have the runny bottoms for a few weeks !!
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Post by realstokebloke on Mar 4, 2008 23:40:19 GMT
Mmmm...
Points in the bag are worth two in the upcoming fixtures and all that...
But fairychuff, we didn't, in all honesty, make a good fist of being top though did we?
Hope you're right fella: sneak up on the rails and go top on the last day - more exciting that way. ;D
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Post by prem4stoke on Mar 4, 2008 23:40:27 GMT
Your only top for one reason, and that is your the best team so far. So if you can't stay top your not the best team. It's quite simple really but.. we have a hope of the a few changes in the squad which could change things, we will see??
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Post by JoeinOz on Mar 4, 2008 23:50:41 GMT
Good sides enjoy being top and the 'pressure' of being the side everyone has to beat. We didn't handle it too well at PNE and QPR but there's time yet.
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Post by mermaidsal on Mar 4, 2008 23:53:04 GMT
Tables don't lie this far into the season, we were briefly the best team in the Championship, sadly we just proved that was temporary, the good news is no-one else is head and shoulders best either. So, we know we've managed it once and with a bit of luck we'll do it again.
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Post by JoeinOz on Mar 4, 2008 23:58:42 GMT
This league is a bit mental and it could all be decided on the last day.
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Post by Dallas Cowboy on Mar 5, 2008 0:06:16 GMT
What pressure?
Are we talking about professionals here or a bunch of schoolgirls?
Get a grip!
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Post by JoeinOz on Mar 5, 2008 0:09:38 GMT
I know exactly what you mean Dallas BUT footballers are different. They have led strange lives.
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Post by miffmister on Mar 5, 2008 0:30:14 GMT
Id prefer to be top by 4 points come the last match against leister
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Post by PMac on Mar 5, 2008 0:51:13 GMT
Agreed  I'd rather be 1 or 2 points off the top slot and then get the results in the last 2 or 3 games.... Pinching it at the en. W've just witnessed how other teams cope with us when we're there to be knocked off. It's definitely a psychological thing for the players to maintain as its always harder to maintain than challenge as the incentive is greater to reach the top than stay there. We can still afford a couple of losses as long as the "crucial" goal difference get's no worse.... We'd be second if we hadn't have conceded 5 in the last two games. +16 instead of +11GD Got to admit it's the most tense finish I've ever seen as a Stokie. |
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Post by bloody56 on Mar 5, 2008 1:47:43 GMT
Unfortunately, if Leicester wins and we win we could be top again next week.
We lost on Sunday, because we did not work hard enough. When we loose the ball we need to channel back and close players down quicker.
The secret of winning football matches is very simple; if you are not winning you keep trying harder and harder until you are winning. When teams and players raise their game against you, you have to raise your own game to compete. Now that we have lost the advantage of surprise we need to be sharper. Don't panic automatic promotion is still a possibility, especially now only West Brazil has a game in hand on us, I for one wouldn't be too proud to runner up to them.
Keep the faith and imagine what Scunthorpe thought when they heard the cheer when Stoke returned to the field for the second half two goals down. Let’s greet the team on Saturday with the same enthusiasm.
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Post by powchirper on Mar 5, 2008 1:59:07 GMT
Well said 56, come saturday at 2-55 lets give the lads one hell of a cheer and show them we are their 12th man.
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Post by tuum on Mar 5, 2008 2:10:34 GMT
I would rather be top full stop...and by 26pts or more at this stage of the season. However, that is not to be.
Being top now gives you a cushion, albeit a small one, if you stumble a little. I would rather be in Bristol's position at the moment than ours. If we draw or lose on Saturday what happens then? So there is just as much pressure on us now in our current position than if we were top with 3 more points.
I don't think the footballers feel the pressure when they are playing. Maybe, the first few minutes and the last few minutes but for 80mins they are absorbed in the game. The manager will be more aware of it and he has to make hard tactical decisions during the course of a game with the added distractions of referees decisions, players performance, fans comments behind the dugout all planted consciously or subconsciously in his mind.
If we want to ease the pressure on the team then now is the time to get behind them & to offer nothing but positive encouragement LOUD positive encouragement for the full 90mins for each and every game!
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