A good result which I’d have settled for after the first 40 minutes, Wigan were outplaying us and should have had a couple of goals by that time, Ade’s goal was against the run of play and something we didn’t seem like doing (scoring) our passing seemed off key.
We came out in the second half a much better team and our passing game looked much better, I think we tried the chip over the top to Ade a bit too often though and the long ball started to creep back into our play.
I was disappointed that we didn’t make more of the player advantage and get the win which we should have done.
The ref was another useless lump when are we going to see some competence from the officials?
My match ratings 5 being average:
Cutler 8 made a couple of brilliant saves didn’t look he could do much about their goal.
Halls 7.5 had another good game, had a good scoring chance in the second half which he should have got on target.
Williams 7.5 a solid performance and made some excellent tackles, his lack of pace was a worry though.
Thomas 6 looked shaky at times.
Clarke 7 had a good defensive game but his inability to look up before lumping the ball forward was frustrating, almost every time he won the ball in the first half he hoofed the ball straight back to Wigan when there was time to pick his pass.
Hoekstra 7 showed some of his skills and came back to defend, we looked better when he switched to the right and was cutting inside causing Wigan a lot of problems.
Asaba 6.5 had a quiet first half and never really got into the game did better in the second half but seemed to be playing too deep when he was switched to GNW’s position.
Eustace 7.5 worked hard for the team (as always) even when things weren’t going Stoke way
Russell 7 played OK a good work rate some good support play.
GNW 5.5 shouldn’t have started he obviously wasn’t fit and was always struggling.
Akinbyi 8 MOM worked his socks off took his goal well had a couple of good chances as well which the Wigan keeper had to save. Does he ever stop running?
Subs;
Svard 6.5 did ok, looks a good player but I preferred him playing in the middle.
Commons 5.5 didn’t seem to get into the game.
Hill 6 wasn’t on long enough to make much of an impression.
Ref 3.5 another dismal referee, just how many inept refs are there?
The crowd/atmosphere 7 a good atmosphere form an average size crowd.
Gouranga.
