I'm not blaming him, its just so frustrating to see how little confidence we have away from the Brit at times, I dont think any fan should be happy to see the team go into a game just to keep the score down which is what we did last night, we are better than that. I completely accept how hard it was last night but we could have played a lot better , thats the frustration
This thread does hint at trouble ahead doesn’t it. A season like this, which, let’s face it, was a massive over achievement when you look at our squad will probably raise expectation beyond what is reasonable. I hate the analogy but I’m going to say one word. Charlton.
Finishing with 2 extra points (most likely) than last season and losing in the cup to the first team that we met that we can genuinely say are better than us isn't exactly a massive over achievement.
As much as I disagree with the original post you're over-egging it a bit.
I'm not blaming him, its just so frustrating to see how little confidence we have away from the Brit at times, I dont think any fan should be happy to see the team go into a game just to keep the score down which is what we did last night, we are better than that. I completely accept how hard it was last night but we could have played a lot better , thats the frustration
I didn’t see it that way.
I was reasonably happy at half time. I accept we made it way too easy for Tevez for the goal and there was some poor defending from Ryan and Wilko but we actually played some half decent stuff at times.
Considering the team we had out (i.e. no wide men) we got it down and passed it around pretty well in periods. We had a couple of chances of note, the Walters shot which deflected off Richards head, the Shawcross header from the corner, the Whelan effort from the edge, the ball from Walters out right which was just begging to be finished off, we were very much in the game for my money.
My biggest criticism at half time was that we didn’t commit enough men forward when we did break on them (see above, the Walters cross from the right) but considering the starting XI lacked wingers on either side and any genuine pace that was probably to be expected.
The second half we didn’t play as well but neither goal should have happened as neither was a free kick. People will say the Tevez free kick is up there with the best this season (and it was) but it doesn’t change the fact it was never a free kick in the first place.
Once we’d gone 2-0 the game was over, the Ref didn’t help us one bit last night.
But that’s football, credit to the lads for picking themselves up and giving it a go.
I certainly don’t think we went their and just rolled over.
This thread does hint at trouble ahead doesn’t it. A season like this, which, let’s face it, was a massive over achievement when you look at our squad will probably raise expectation beyond what is reasonable. I hate the analogy but I’m going to say one word. Charlton.
Finishing with 2 extra points (most likely) than last season and losing in the cup to the first team that we met that we can genuinely say are better than us isn't exactly a massive over achievement.
As much as I disagree with the original post you're over-egging it a bit.
I would not say rolled over , the effort was there but as you say we did not commit enough men forward , we are a different team home and away and its just frustration , hopefully the summer will see players coming in the help deal with the problems we have away.
Last night's team was all about Sunday's game and rightly so.
Going forward, however, TP does need to look at the away form and we really do need to improve it. Andy Townsend was a pundit on whatever stream I watched the game on last night and he made a valid point in asking how long we can prosper in the premier league with such a poor away form. It only takes one season for our home form to suffer and we could be in trouble.
...But the flip side is that an improvement in away from would really consolidate us as a top 10 team.
Post by Cityfullergoals on May 18, 2011 11:59:10 GMT
Cant really think of any other approach to the game to be honest given the team we put out last night
I thought the lads tried as hard as they usually do, and made it as difficult as possible against a very slick, committed and confident side
I"ve shelled out for EVERY away game this seaon, and have seen worse performances than that (Fulham, West Ham and Liverpool), when points DID matter
Thought Salif in particular showed a lot of commitment, as did the usual suspects, and considering we had 75% of the usual midfield missing, came away disappointed as I always am when we lose, but certainly not disheartened
However, I do expect a rousing send off on Sunday, and at the start of the season, a ninth place finish and an FA Cup final was not something I would have predicted
As many have said, away form next season must improve if we are to maintain progress, but I for one forgive last nights showing after a physically and mentally draining few days (and thats just for me)
I slagged Tone off after the Liverpool away debacle but I fail to see what else he could have done last night. ==================================================== I had no problems with TP's team selection last night and I went fully expecting to lose. However, I disagree with Whydelilah and agre with Luke 45. Stoke were on a training exercise yesterday..they had no intention in trying to win this game from the 1st minute. Once Tevez had scored the first it was damage limitation. There is no excuse in my book for not testing the GK when you have the chance. There was a 5 min period in the 2nd half when Shawcross, then Walters and then someone else (can't remember who) had chances to get shots off in the Man City penalty area. Not one of them showed any inclination to do so, preferring to slow the play down and try and pass it square. It was this lack of ambition when in forward positions that pissed me of last night not the overall negative approach. As for the comment that we passed the ball around quite nicely. We did until MCFC players chose to close us down and then we shat ourselves because we have no confidence on the ball and promptly gave the ball away so easily. After 7 games or so I think Man City have now got the measure of how to beat us and it is as simple as just hustling us and closing us down at the earliest opportunity. If they don't want the ball they sit back and let us toss it off until the long ball is knocked forward. If they want possession they just go out and hustle us until we give up the ball.....pretty simple really. I hope other sides with skilful players don't catch on.
This thread does hint at trouble ahead doesn’t it. A season like this, which, let’s face it, was a massive over achievement when you look at our squad will probably raise expectation beyond what is reasonable. I hate the analogy but I’m going to say one word. Charlton.
Finishing with 2 extra points (most likely) than last season and losing in the cup to the first team that we met that we can genuinely say are better than us isn't exactly a massive over achievement.
As much as I disagree with the original post you're over-egging it a bit.
Great, FA Cup final and a (probable) top half finish isn't overachieving for a team in the league for 3 seasons.
Don't know about the other few that went last night but I felt totally humiliated by what or what didn't happen at Eastlands.
The selection, the performance and the following was very poor, not what I expect from all associated with Stoke City Football Club.
To be surrounded by thousands of Man City fans laughing at you and taking the piss is very hard to take when your own team doesn't show and give you something to grab onto.
Yes, I'm well aware of the Cup after-shock syndrome but I put it behind me by Monday ready to get on with 'business' for Tuesday night and I expected the management and players to do likewise. However it's looks like my half day off work plus £38 ticket money plus £30 odd travel/food expenditure was a complete waste of time.
Despite the pre match comments "We have seen what a good side Man City are, but that doesn't stop us showing real spirit" from the manager, the 'spirit' was nowhere to be seen.
For me it was very end of season from the team and the turnout and I will not be bothering to go to the last game on Sunday, it really pissed me off last night, a very humiliating experience.
That said,what I will say though is a massive thank you to Tony Pulis and all concerned at Stoke City for a great, great season.
Have a good long rest before we start out on our European tour.
I was there tuesday night and yes i appreciate that with injuries Tony had little choice of putting the white flag out and attempting to minimise the damage.
However, my concerns are similar to what some have suggested and that is the issue of shots and intent. 1 lousy shot on target from salif diao (a nothing shot) is diabolical quite frankly, even if it was a "b" team we must do better than that. I don't expect stoke to win every game away, but I do expect some sort of challenge for the technology counting the shots at the very least!!!!
There is no need to panick as it was a nothing game, straight after losing the final; but some SERIOUS issues must be addressed about our away form. There is no hiding from it, its dreadful. We just cannot expect to have top 6 form at home every season, it's unrealistic.