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Post by SuperStokie on Feb 21, 2004 21:06:43 GMT
First and foremost, Wigan are probably the best team that have been to The Brit this season. They passed the ball well, looked balanced and strong and were a potent attacking threat all the way through. For the money they have spent however, I sure would hope they play well!
First three quarters of the first half we were, admitedly poor. Our passing was non-existent and bar Ade, our attacking threat was hopeless. You could tell we'd been knocked for six (quite literally) last week.
The last 10 minutes of the 1st half though we picked the pace up and started to cause Wigan a fair few problems. Our goal, yes underserved, wasn't a shock however and we lead 1-0 at the break.
We played pretty well second half considering we were under a fair bit of pressure, although if we put in an away performance like Wigan did today, I'd probably travel back disappointed that we hadn't taken the full 3 points!
Some good individual displays however:
Cutler-7 Still a bit dodgy, a fantastic 2nd half save though.
Halls-8 Bloody mustard this lad!
Williams-7 To be fair, not a bad game. Still prefer him NOT to play though!
Thomas-6 Looked better with Taggart alongside him-a confidence thing methinks.
Clarke-7 Not bad, needs to talk more as a captain should.
Asaba-6 He needs to slow down a bit, it's almost like he's trying to shoot, pass, dribble, head in one movement!
Russell-7 Full of running and energy, good game.
Eustace-8 What can I say, bloody superb!
Hoekstra-6 Pretty ineffective, disappointing to be honest, as we know he can do better.
Noel-Williams-5 Didn't look fit to me, still don't like how he goes to the dressing room after being subbed. Just something that pisses me off slightly!
Akinbiyi-8 Cracking finish from Ade, lucky to have him.
Commons-6 Didn't really do a great deal to be honest.
Svard-6 Ditto
Hill-6 Good to see him back.
And so, we can't grumble tonight can we. A point is a good result against a muti million pound team who are the best team we've come across, in my opinion, this season!
Jon
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Post by neutron on Feb 21, 2004 21:39:11 GMT
Disagree about a few of the remarks on the players to be honest mate.
Cutler - I thought he was superb, the kicking may not have been all that but still the saves he was pulling off were excellent and he really kept us in the game, Ill give him an 8
Halls - Looked a bit shaky at times but really came on in the 2nd half and was making so many positive runs forward so why not Hallsy can get an 8 as well.
Thomas - Agree with what youve said, has looked shaky of late, give him a 6
Williams - An improvement but the guy aint up for it, its time to ship him off. The only bad Pulis buy, I just dont think he is up to it anymore, the fact he looks like it takes a shoe horn to get his shorts on bothers me. 6/7
Clarke - The way he moved his head out of the way of a shot that narrowly missed did worry me, but he is looking the business lately, maybe becoming the player we knew he could be? 7
Asaba - I think the guy is great but today, not sure, I hope we can play him consistantly as in my opinion thats what he needs! 6/7
Russell - After he went through that patch he is looking excellent again! 7
Eustace - Seeing him limp off, covered in mud at the end shows the reason that he is loved at Stoke, he gives it his all! 8/9 MOTM
Hoekstra - Really disagree with you here mate! I thought he was brilliant again, he frightens the life out of opposition and looked sharp today 7
Akinbiyi - Maybe should have had 2? But I cant knock the big man, another example of the bargain we have had! 7/8
Subs
Ditto on the subs mate! Dont think Commons was really "all that" today though....
I think Svard is really coming on and apart from a dog awful cross I was pleased with his contribution.
Special note to the Pulis speech! It was like the voice of god from above! Triffic really is a top bloke and I think he is the man for us!
Goooooooooo Arrrrrrrrrrn
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Post by neutron on Feb 21, 2004 21:40:42 GMT
Totally forgot Gifton!
The man gets 6/7 today, would have preffered maybe Ade and Asabe to start up front as he just didnt look fit. I dont like him walking off either!
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Post by SuperStokie on Feb 21, 2004 21:44:38 GMT
The only one we really disagree about there is Hoekstra?
He's just got so much talent. I think I perhaps expect slightly too much off him? The Reading game was his benchmark.
Just thought he seemed to be ineffective and thats why TP took him off. He wasn't bad, not by any means. just not as good as what we know he can do.
Jon
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Post by neutron on Feb 21, 2004 23:02:50 GMT
Just Hooky and Cutz that we disagree on me thinks.
Hoekstra played okay today and the fact that he can terrify the life out of opposition defences is all part of his game. The Wigan backline looked worried when he was running at them.
As for Cutler, I feel that when he has a bad game he looks well dodgy and then a week later he is superb as he was today, the saves he made really kept us in it.
Bonza
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