|
Post by cheeesfreeex on Jan 4, 2017 2:06:38 GMT
I try to avoid abuse etc. But you're becoming a parody. "I struggled tonight"... ffs. Log off and drink some sterilised milk and watch 'Kelly's Heroes'. Sad state of affairs if you didn't enjoy the Stoke experience tonight. We made them look like the metaphorical kid in a play pen. imo. Read the board, it's not just me. It was atrocious. We have gone around in a circle and are back to where we ended under TP. If you want to watch that shit then that's your choice. I'd rather watch a side trying to play football. Like I said it was fucking atrocious and there was an undercurrent there waiting to seep out. Hughes has a massive job on his hands. I havn't got time to read it all, I will but then me responses will be out of time. I've responded to you Bayern because whilst negative, you're not a numpty. I thought Johnson, Ryan and Indi all played well, which gives loads of hope for the three we're perfecting, don't think Grant was left exposed. The midfielders all played well, Allen had a little more purpose to his 'popping up' and Afellay gives me a tingle. Crouchie was a fulcrum, outlet and footballer, {he's not the future but with his hunger I'm happy to have him as the present}. The system allowed us to get more activity around him, better than ever, bodes well. Similar with SJW fluffed a couple but did enough other good stuff and stood up to Watford enough to justify his pick.} Thought Diouf was mint and allowed us to press or switch to four at the back. We didn't do it all right but we fucked them up plenty enough. Like Hughes says "caused them problems". In short I don't get the doom. Not perfect, Arnie roamed a bit too much fost half. I will carry on watching it. saturday will be cheeky.
|
|
|
Post by Paul Spencer on Jan 4, 2017 2:41:45 GMT
For what it's worth PL I think you are one of the most level headed posters on this forum and I always hold your posts in high regard for being sensible and well considered but (with the greatest of respect) I think you're being very harsh here mate.
I thought the 'football' we played tonight was absolutely awful, we looked like a team of complete misfits with no discernable plan whatsoever, playing against a team with (thankfully) even less of an idea about what it was all about.
We won but jeez it's hard to take too many (any?) positives away from the performance.
After 2 very difficult fixtures it was important just to get 3 points. Now I know it was a total shitfest but give the manager some credit. I'm on the cusp of being very critical of the current regime but I think we owe it to him to have another window and a chance to regroup. Having said that Walters and Crouch on the pitch at the same time really does piss me off.
After 2 very difficult fixtures it was important just to get 3 points. Well it was definitely (of course) important to get 3 points but I'm not quite sure why you inserted the word 'just' there, is that offered as some kind of 'excuse' for us appearing to not know what we were doing out there?
Now I know it was a total shitfest No shit it was!
but give the manager some credit Eh? Didn't you just say that it was a total shifest?
I'm on the cusp of being very critical of the current regime Well of course that's your prerogative
but I think we owe it to him to have another window and a chance to regroup I agree.
Having said that Walters and Crouch on the pitch at the same time really does piss me off. When Hughes took over, if you'd suggested that four years into the future, with all the riches he'd have had available to spend, that he'd still have to resort to using Walters and Crouch as his preferred front two, you'd have been laughed off this message board as a raving lunatic.
|
|
|
Post by cheeesfreeex on Jan 4, 2017 2:58:58 GMT
After 2 very difficult fixtures it was important just to get 3 points. Now I know it was a total shitfest but give the manager some credit. I'm on the cusp of being very critical of the current regime but I think we owe it to him to have another window and a chance to regroup. Having said that Walters and Crouch on the pitch at the same time really does piss me off.
After 2 very difficult fixtures it was important just to get 3 points. Well it was definitely (of course) important to get 3 points but I'm not quite sure why you inserted the word 'just' there, is that offered as some kind of 'excuse' for us appearing to not know what we were doing out there?
Now I know it was a total shitfest No shit it was!
but give the manager some credit Eh? Didn't you just say that it was a total shifest?
I'm on the cusp of being very critical of the current regime Well of course that's your prerogative
but I think we owe it to him to have another window and a chance to regroup I agree.
Having said that Walters and Crouch on the pitch at the same time really does piss me off. When Hughes took over, if you'd suggested that four years into the future, with all the riches he'd have had available to spend, that he'd still have to resort to using Walters and Crouch as his preferred front two, you'd have been laughed off this message board as a raving lunatic.
We're diametrically opposed on this stuff, don't wish to set up a bickerthing but it's the pejorative "resorting to" thing I'm responding to. I havn't fully researched it but I've started to look at the kind of players Hughes had to usurp to get game time during his footballing career, to see if that gives an insight into his appreciation of 'earning a place', 'squad rotation' etc. I'm backing him to fuck up a bit, but fundamentally he's got plenty of cred imo. Job very well done tonight.
|
|
|
Post by bassmaster on Jan 4, 2017 3:02:03 GMT
I'd forgotten we were Real Madrid. Cretins.
|
|
|
Post by cooper67 on Jan 4, 2017 3:12:36 GMT
Pace is beeded desperately in attack Crouch is still a handful give him service and use him well he is an asset but him and SJW has never worked if only Hughes had got Gale in the summer or something like him Have you been on the pop at this point Johnny?? Spelling and punctuation gone to pot.
|
|
|
Post by Paul Spencer on Jan 4, 2017 3:28:58 GMT
After 2 very difficult fixtures it was important just to get 3 points. Well it was definitely (of course) important to get 3 points but I'm not quite sure why you inserted the word 'just' there, is that offered as some kind of 'excuse' for us appearing to not know what we were doing out there?
Now I know it was a total shitfest No shit it was!
but give the manager some credit Eh? Didn't you just say that it was a total shifest?
I'm on the cusp of being very critical of the current regime Well of course that's your prerogative
but I think we owe it to him to have another window and a chance to regroup I agree.
Having said that Walters and Crouch on the pitch at the same time really does piss me off. When Hughes took over, if you'd suggested that four years into the future, with all the riches he'd have had available to spend, that he'd still have to resort to using Walters and Crouch as his preferred front two, you'd have been laughed off this message board as a raving lunatic.
We're diametrically opposed on this stuff, don't wish to set up a bickerthing but it's the pejorative "resorting to" thing I'm responding to. I havn't fully researched it but I've started to look at the kind of players Hughes had to usurp to get game time during his footballing career, to see if that gives an insight into his appreciation of 'earning a place', 'squad rotation' etc. I'm backing him to fuck up a bit, but fundamentally he's got plenty of cred imo. Job very well done tonight. We're diametrically opposed on this stuff, don't wish to set up a bickerthing but it's the pejorative "resorting to" thing I'm responding to. But you haven't actually said anything? He is resorting to using them, isn't he? When Pulis left we had the worst offensive record in the division and here we are now, after Hughes has had untold riches to spend and tried numerous alternatives (and that's the important bit) erm ... resorting (that's the best word I can think of actually) to using the strikers he inherited from his predecessor.
I havn't fully researched it but I've started to look at the kind of players Hughes had to usurp to get game time during his footballing career, to see if that gives an insight into his appreciation of 'earning a place', 'squad rotation' etc. Cool!
I'm backing him to fuck up a bit, but fundamentally he's got plenty of cred imo. Indeed. I said as much in the post that you quoted above.
Job very well done tonight. Very well? Really?
|
|
|
Post by potterpaul on Jan 4, 2017 3:46:28 GMT
So to sum up this thread Thank fuck for the 3 pts, that will do nicely but the performance hasn't exactly stemmed the overall feeling of 'Mark, WTF are you arsing about at' mentality
|
|
|
Post by cheeesfreeex on Jan 4, 2017 3:54:45 GMT
We're diametrically opposed on this stuff, don't wish to set up a bickerthing but it's the pejorative "resorting to" thing I'm responding to. I havn't fully researched it but I've started to look at the kind of players Hughes had to usurp to get game time during his footballing career, to see if that gives an insight into his appreciation of 'earning a place', 'squad rotation' etc. I'm backing him to fuck up a bit, but fundamentally he's got plenty of cred imo. Job very well done tonight. We're diametrically opposed on this stuff, don't wish to set up a bickerthing but it's the pejorative "resorting to" thing I'm responding to. But you haven't actually said anything? He is resorting to using them, isn't he? When Pulis left we had the worst offensive record in the division and here we are now, after Hughes has had untold riches to spend and tried numerous alternatives (and that's the important bit) erm ... resorting (that's the best word I can think of actually) to using the strikers he inherited from his predecessor.
I havn't fully researched it but I've started to look at the kind of players Hughes had to usurp to get game time during his footballing career, to see if that gives an insight into his appreciation of 'earning a place', 'squad rotation' etc. Cool!
I'm backing him to fuck up a bit, but fundamentally he's got plenty of cred imo. Indeed. I said as much in the post that you quoted above.
Job very well done tonight. Very well? Really?
We know the amount, even counting Academy purchases. Like I said, late now, don't wish to get too circular. I'm really enjoying the swansong of Crouch and SJW and Adam, my opinion has been that they won't be here forever but there's still enough good juice to wring out of them to justify me entrance fee. Hughes has had a budget, and an expectation to filter through from the Academy, not to block too many pathways... in my head wringing out the old guard for now sets that model up for the summer.. I don't think it compromises us now. I'll leave it to the team to usher them out the door. I hope we can coincide it with them breaking records. And Whelan might get a goal too. And I'm on the pitch. Safe in the knowledge that there's now a bench that'll make yer blush. And quality players barging to get on {I hope}. It's progress and it's neither muddled nor any other flippant insult you care to chuck. We're a really smart outfit who gave Chelsea pause for thought and just broke an awkward opponent {at home} summat we've struggled with recently. Looking forward to the run in. Am I over stating your concerns? Any interesting tunes yer listening to?
|
|
|
Post by cheeesfreeex on Jan 4, 2017 4:03:28 GMT
So to sum up this thread Thank fuck for the 3 pts, that will do nicely but the performance hasn't exactly stemmed the overall feeling of 'Mark, WTF are you arsing about at' mentality More reasoned than the thread title. More acceptable imo if it had read "Absolutely Abysmal 2-0 win, three/six pointer thing"... People just don't understand....... The chaos is comical.
|
|
|
Post by thevoid on Jan 4, 2017 7:14:24 GMT
The support tonight was abysmal more like! We have truly become Premier League fans. It was cold, the game was shit and the line-up was Pulis 2012. What do you want, Ultra flags and jumping up and down bare-chested?
|
|
|
Post by thevoid on Jan 4, 2017 7:18:03 GMT
Great a man who's team wasted so much team at our place it was an embarrassment. Tonight they lose a 3-0 lead!? You're having a laugh. He wouldn't come here but you can't deny the job he's done there. They were non-league bound when he took them over.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2017 7:26:45 GMT
I have a feeling Hughes might resign at the end of the season
He seems like he wants a new challenge
I wouldn't be too disappointed either
|
|
|
Post by alster on Jan 4, 2017 7:51:19 GMT
I'll tell yer what Void - Technology is an absolutely fabulous fuckin thing. In my day we never had a phone, never mind an internet service provider. Oh my Lord, how times have changed. Void - a little word in your ear, me old fruit .... Give this new tech stuff a try ... nobody will laugh at you....honest ..... Strange how I can never get a reception on my phone in the stadium and your earlier posts seem have been logged when the match was still in progress. What tech have you got, a teleporter? My phone never works for data in the ground either but I can see people all around me using data on theirs. It would be helpful if they let us in on the secret because its bloody fustrating.
|
|
|
Post by bayernoatcake on Jan 4, 2017 8:00:26 GMT
Read the board, it's not just me. It was atrocious. We have gone around in a circle and are back to where we ended under TP. If you want to watch that shit then that's your choice. I'd rather watch a side trying to play football. Like I said it was fucking atrocious and there was an undercurrent there waiting to seep out. Hughes has a massive job on his hands. I havn't got time to read it all, I will but then me responses will be out of time. I've responded to you Bayern because whilst negative, you're not a numpty. I thought Johnson, Ryan and Indi all played well, which gives loads of hope for the three we're perfecting, don't think Grant was left exposed. The midfielders all played well, Allen had a little more purpose to his 'popping up' and Afellay gives me a tingle. Crouchie was a fulcrum, outlet and footballer, {he's not the future but with his hunger I'm happy to have him as the present}. The system allowed us to get more activity around him, better than ever, bodes well. Similar with SJW fluffed a couple but did enough other good stuff and stood up to Watford enough to justify his pick.} Thought Diouf was mint and allowed us to press or switch to four at the back. We didn't do it all right but we fucked them up plenty enough. Like Hughes says "caused them problems". In short I don't get the doom. Not perfect, Arnie roamed a bit too much fost half. I will carry on watching it. saturday will be cheeky. Wow. I thought Johnson looked like a bag of nerves. He was awful. His touch was all over the place and he just didn't look comfortable. The system left way too many gaps and if we were playing someone good they would have exploited it. And I know you're being overly positive because of your stance on 3 at the back but last night it just didn't work. Only when we shifted to a back 4 did the mistakes go away and passes were crisper all 4 of them just looked far more at ease. It isn't working. This will go down like a ton of bricks too. Allen played well but showed he still lacks the discipline to really play in the two. He kept going past the ball in defensive situations. His tenacity and speed over 5 yards got him out of the mess time and time again but he shouldn't have been in that mess in the first place. Crouch played well. It was the worst display I can remember from Walters. I'm sure there's worse but we might as well played with 10 men. He did nothing bar hide. Afellay was excellent and positive, which is what I want to see from him. Their keeper barely had a save to make in all of that. We won easily but we didn't really cause them problems. I just thought it was a horrible game of football to watch between two sides playing badly.
|
|
|
Post by baltipiesmuggler on Jan 4, 2017 8:04:31 GMT
Too many black or white views amongst our fans. Twas ever so.
For me, I still think the starting 11 wasn't right, the system (or more accurately, total lack of one) caused more problems than it solved and a better side than Watford would have most likely left us struggling.
That being said, I think it was fair of Hughes to point out Watford's game plan - they came to spoil and it was working for most of the first half. Slowed it down, put in niggly fouls etc. Stopped us getting any momentum.
Clearly there are positives to take away - 3 points, clean sheet, goal in the home end (finally) and a number of positive performances - particularly pleased to see how sharp Affelay is looking - could be like a new signing.
In short, tonight was simply a needed result, but tells us nothing. The next 3 or 4 will demonstrate if we can turn a corner or not.
Sent from my SM-G928F using proboards
|
|
|
Post by ryan4england on Jan 4, 2017 8:18:38 GMT
We won. All i'd like to say is if our two record signings were succesful they would be making impact by now. Even so I won't complain with 3 points
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2017 8:27:30 GMT
Strange how I can never get a reception on my phone in the stadium and your earlier posts seem have been logged when the match was still in progress. What tech have you got, a teleporter? My phone never works for data in the ground either but I can see people all around me using data on theirs. It would be helpful if they let us in on the secret because its bloody fustrating. Mine used to work last season but now, especially at half time, I really struggle. Same phone, same network.
|
|
|
Post by Mint Berry Barks on Jan 4, 2017 8:28:11 GMT
So has anyone coined the new replacements for the terms "Wankstains" and "Rimmers" yet?
I thought we were toss first half but second half were alright. Walters could (and maybe should) have done better with the three big chances he had.
|
|
|
Post by cheekymatt71 on Jan 4, 2017 8:34:13 GMT
So has anyone coined the new replacements for the terms "Wankstains" and "Rimmers" yet? I thought we were toss first half but second half were alright. Walters could (and maybe should) have done better with the three big chances he had. please dont go there. A lowpoint in Oatcake history using names straight from the school playground.
|
|
|
Post by ryan4england on Jan 4, 2017 8:39:44 GMT
My phone never works for data in the ground either but I can see people all around me using data on theirs. It would be helpful if they let us in on the secret because its bloody fustrating. Mine used to work last season but now, especially at half time, I really struggle. Same phone, same network. I've used them all and find virgin mobile by far the best for reception & internet access everywhere not just in the stadium. 3, 02 I wouldn't use for half the price
|
|
|
Post by alster on Jan 4, 2017 8:42:11 GMT
So has anyone coined the new replacements for the terms "Wankstains" and "Rimmers" yet? I thought we were toss first half but second half were alright. Walters could (and maybe should) have done better with the three big chances he had. Dreamers and pragmatists maybe? I'm an unashamed dreamer as far as football is concerned. Its a release its not about the daily grind, thats why I'm so pissed off with our direction of travel.
|
|
|
Post by alster on Jan 4, 2017 8:46:55 GMT
Mine used to work last season but now, especially at half time, I really struggle. Same phone, same network. I've used them all and find virgin mobile by far the best for reception & internet access everywhere not just in the stadium. 3, 02 I wouldn't use for half the price Thanks for the info. Can't really change to virgin as I have a caravan in North Wales I spend a lot of time at and you can only get signal there on Vodafone or EE even then only 2g and slow as hell.
|
|
|
Post by adamsson on Jan 4, 2017 8:48:37 GMT
Great a man who's team wasted so much team at our place it was an embarrassment. Tonight they lose a 3-0 lead!? You're having a laugh. He wouldn't come here but you can't deny the job he's done there. They were non-league bound when he took them over. He wouldn't come you are right but Bournemouths rise is more to do with Maxim Demin's millions/billions.
|
|
|
Post by shrewspotter on Jan 4, 2017 8:49:03 GMT
was the greatest performance I grant you that, but we did the job and looked ok I thought
|
|
|
Post by andrewguk on Jan 4, 2017 8:52:39 GMT
The support tonight was abysmal more like! We have truly become Premier League fans. It was cold, the game was shit and the line-up was Pulis 2012. What do you want, Ultra flags and jumping up and down bare-chested? I'm just sick of some 'fans' who only support Stoke when we're winning. Nothing in life is guaranteed but some of us on here turn up at the match, sit on their hands for 90 minutes and expect us to win. The atmosphere was awful last night.
|
|
|
Post by WhyDelilah on Jan 4, 2017 8:55:06 GMT
I think anybody would struggle to make a coherent case to suggest Hughes knows what he's doing right now, and the longterm direction he's taken us into.
He's spent around £40m or £50m on players and doesn't appear to know what to do with them whatsoever. And if you put the big money signings to one side, you've got the free transfers, lower fee and loan players he's added who all appear surplus to requirement.
Imbula - 18 mill. On the bench or not even in the squad Shaqiri - 15 mill. In and out of the team. Often at the expense of Walters. Ramadan - the 5 mill wonderkid. On the bench or not even in the squad. Sometimes at the expense of Walters Joselu - 5 mill. Bit part player then shipped out on loan. Diouf - the centre forward he chased for 18 months. Played out wide, then dropped before finding his place at right wing back Bojan - into the wilderness Muniesa - see above Bony - as above Haugard - Jesus fucking wept Tex - won a raffle
If that guy knocked on your door asking for more money, you'd be tempted to tell him to utilise the assets he's already acquired first.
And then there's the football. It's regressed to dull as dishwater. All entertainment is gone. We only appear capable of beating poor sides. And even then we're too negative to actually try and kill the game and get the 3rd or 4th goals.
Something dramatic needs to change over the next 5 months.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2017 9:10:18 GMT
I havn't got time to read it all, I will but then me responses will be out of time. I've responded to you Bayern because whilst negative, you're not a numpty. I thought Johnson, Ryan and Indi all played well, which gives loads of hope for the three we're perfecting, don't think Grant was left exposed. The midfielders all played well, Allen had a little more purpose to his 'popping up' and Afellay gives me a tingle. Crouchie was a fulcrum, outlet and footballer, {he's not the future but with his hunger I'm happy to have him as the present}. The system allowed us to get more activity around him, better than ever, bodes well. Similar with SJW fluffed a couple but did enough other good stuff and stood up to Watford enough to justify his pick.} Thought Diouf was mint and allowed us to press or switch to four at the back. We didn't do it all right but we fucked them up plenty enough. Like Hughes says "caused them problems". In short I don't get the doom. Not perfect, Arnie roamed a bit too much fost half. I will carry on watching it. saturday will be cheeky. Wow. I thought Johnson looked like a bag of nerves. He was awful. His touch was all over the place and he just didn't look comfortable. The system left way too many gaps and if we were playing someone good they would have exploited it. And I know you're being overly positive because of your stance on 3 at the back but last night it just didn't work. Only when we shifted to a back 4 did the mistakes go away and passes were crisper all 4 of them just looked far more at ease. It isn't working. This will go down like a ton of bricks too. Allen played well but showed he still lacks the discipline to really play in the two. He kept going past the ball in defensive situations. His tenacity and speed over 5 yards got him out of the mess time and time again but he shouldn't have been in that mess in the first place. Crouch played well. It was the worst display I can remember from Walters. I'm sure there's worse but we might as well played with 10 men. He did nothing bar hide. Afellay was excellent and positive, which is what I want to see from him. Their keeper barely had a save to make in all of that. We won easily but we didn't really cause them problems. I just thought it was a horrible game of football to watch between two sides playing badly. I agree with a good portion of that Bayern, although I think your propensity to dislike the back 3 colours your judgement almost as much as cheese's cheerleading in favour of it. Whilst we do look more comfortable with a back 4, to say that the mistakes went away and passes were that much crisper just doesn't ring true imho. There were fewer gaps though that's for sure, and I still prefer a back 4 considering the players we have available - Diouf is wasted out there as a RWB and personally thought he had his worst game in that position since he was asked to perform it; he got caught out a lot of times and his crossing was terrible. Pieters looks to have grown into it a little more on the left, but I'm not convinced he offers anything more to us as LWB than he does at FB. And it also hamstrings (excuse the pun) Johnson's main asset to the team, and that is overlapping on the right. As well as he might play in that back 3, he is of much (much) better use to us as a team as a marauding FB. Crouch, Afellay, Allen and SJW - agree for the most part with those assessments. For whatever stick Shaq gets for his poor performances, such as what he turned out at Stamford Bridge, it is still better than what Walters put in last night; he really was that poor. (Fewest touches out of any outfield player that started the game, 50% pass success and fluffed his lines completely when in front of goal). Re. the continual refusal to give Bojan any time or at least a decent shot at working his way back into form. I understand people saying that he's hardly set the world alight since his return from injury, but just who has in this Stoke team over the last 12 months, other than say Arnie? He was also central to probably what has been our best half of attacking football this season (1st half v Leicester) but was summarily dropped like a brick. He is one of the few natural goalscorers in a squad that is hardly blessed with them but yet can't seem to get any game time. It just seems odd imho, considering just how many others that 'have hardly set the world alight' seem to get way more opportunities than he has had. Having said all that, the truth is I'm pretty happy this morning We desperately needed to get the points tally ticking over again against a team in our mini-division, and regardless of how poor Watford were (and, boy, were they poor) the truth is we won without really breaking a sweat. It was comfortable despite creatively being stifled a bit by the team selection. It was a fully deserved win and I'm hopeful we can have a good January and February and consolidate ourselves in the upper part of the mid-table, close the gap on 7th place, and rediscover some form and consistency. Afellay back, Muni, Jack and Cameron returning, Grant signing permanently and potentially getting BMI full-time gives reason to be optimistic for the 2nd half of the season. If LMH persists with 2 up top, then bringing someone in this transfer window would be the icing on the cake (or a necessity, depending on how you look at it )
|
|
|
Post by sheikhmomo on Jan 4, 2017 9:11:46 GMT
The only thing Hughes 'resorted to' last night, was winning a game of football fairly easily. The agendas on this thread surpass anything witnessed on here this century.
|
|
|
Post by bayernoatcake on Jan 4, 2017 9:24:26 GMT
Wow. I thought Johnson looked like a bag of nerves. He was awful. His touch was all over the place and he just didn't look comfortable. The system left way too many gaps and if we were playing someone good they would have exploited it. And I know you're being overly positive because of your stance on 3 at the back but last night it just didn't work. Only when we shifted to a back 4 did the mistakes go away and passes were crisper all 4 of them just looked far more at ease. It isn't working. This will go down like a ton of bricks too. Allen played well but showed he still lacks the discipline to really play in the two. He kept going past the ball in defensive situations. His tenacity and speed over 5 yards got him out of the mess time and time again but he shouldn't have been in that mess in the first place. Crouch played well. It was the worst display I can remember from Walters. I'm sure there's worse but we might as well played with 10 men. He did nothing bar hide. Afellay was excellent and positive, which is what I want to see from him. Their keeper barely had a save to make in all of that. We won easily but we didn't really cause them problems. I just thought it was a horrible game of football to watch between two sides playing badly. I agree with a good portion of that Bayern, although I think your propensity to dislike the back 3 colours your judgement almost as much as cheese's cheerleading in favour of it. Whilst we do look more comfortable with a back 4, to say that the mistakes went away and passes were that much crisper just doesn't ring true imho. There were fewer gaps though that's for sure, and I still prefer a back 4 considering the players we have available - Diouf is wasted out there as a RWB and personally thought he had his worst game in that position since he was asked to perform it; he got caught out a lot of times and his crossing was terrible. Pieters looks to have grown into it a little more on the left, but I'm not convinced he offers anything more to us as LWB than he does at FB. And it also hamstrings (excuse the pun) Johnson's main asset to the team, and that is overlapping on the right. As well as he might play in that back 3, he is of much (much) better use to us as a team as a marauding FB. Crouch, Afellay, Allen and SJW - agree for the most part with those assessments. For whatever stick Shaq gets for his poor performances, such as what he turned out at Stamford Bridge, it is still better than what Walters put in last night; he really was that poor. (Fewest touches out of any outfield player that started the game, 50% pass success and fluffed his lines completely when in front of goal). Re. the continual refusal to give Bojan any time or at least a decent shot at working his way back into form. I understand people saying that he's hardly set the world alight since his return from injury, but just who has in this Stoke team over the last 12 months, other than say Arnie? He was also central to probably what has been our best half of attacking football this season (1st half v Leicester) but was summarily dropped like a brick. He is one of the few natural goalscorers in a squad that is hardly blessed with them but yet can't seem to get any game time. It just seems odd imho, considering just how many others that 'have hardly set the world alight' seem to get way more opportunities than he has had. Having said all that, the truth is I'm pretty happy this morning We desperately needed to get the points tally ticking over again against a team in our mini-division, and regardless of how poor Watford were (and, boy, were they poor) the truth is we won without really breaking a sweat. It was comfortable despite creatively being stifled a bit by the team selection. It was a fully deserved win and I'm hopeful we can have a good January and February and consolidate ourselves in the upper part of the mid-table, close the gap on 7th place, and rediscover some form and consistency. Afellay back, Muni, Jack and Cameron returning, Grant signing permanently and potentially getting BMI full-time gives reason to be optimistic for the 2nd half of the season. If LMH persists with 2 up top, then bringing someone in this transfer window would be the icing on the cake (or a necessity, depending on how you look at it ) Probably so but I think between that change and bringing Afellay on it did improve. Johnson's complete and utter lack of remembering he was a footballer for a good portion of the game is one of the biggest things that stumped me last night. Agree re Diouf and Pieters. I'm not unhappy, I think we've been this bad for a while. I just hope we can sort it out.
|
|
|
Post by bayernoatcake on Jan 4, 2017 9:25:05 GMT
The only thing Hughes 'resorted to' last night, was winning a game of football fairly easily. The agendas on this thread surpass anything witnessed on here this century. No agendas. I just thought it was wank to watch.
|
|