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Post by spitthedog on Aug 29, 2020 16:48:59 GMT
I thought he worked hard, but didn't really threaten. MON not exactly gushing about him - "I think If I'm honest, in the games, Benik still looks like he needs a lot of football and a lot of minutes" "He's back after a serious injury and we have to facilitate that and we have to get the best out of him. We made a massive investment in him 2 yrs ago and for Benik's sake and our sake, we have to get the best out of him" Hope he can - but he was 'fit' well before the end of lockdown, and was getting competitive minutes for Bristol City as far back as June. Important season for him with his contract expiring. but the service to him was absolutely dire today. He was making decent runs but the balls came in nowhere near his body. He cant create his own chances and Gregory is no help either.
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Post by Gary Hackett on Aug 29, 2020 16:54:10 GMT
I thought he worked hard, but didn't really threaten. MON not exactly gushing about him - "I think If I'm honest, in the games, Benik still looks like he needs a lot of football and a lot of minutes" "He's back after a serious injury and we have to facilitate that and we have to get the best out of him. We made a massive investment in him 2 yrs ago and for Benik's sake and our sake, we have to get the best out of him" Hope he can - but he was 'fit' well before the end of lockdown, and was getting competitive minutes for Bristol City as far back as June. Important season for him with his contract expiring. The only way he'll get better is to play the games. Having Fletcher alongside him would be a massive help.
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Post by FullerMagic on Aug 29, 2020 17:00:51 GMT
I thought he worked hard, but didn't really threaten. MON not exactly gushing about him - "I think If I'm honest, in the games, Benik still looks like he needs a lot of football and a lot of minutes" "He's back after a serious injury and we have to facilitate that and we have to get the best out of him. We made a massive investment in him 2 yrs ago and for Benik's sake and our sake, we have to get the best out of him" Hope he can - but he was 'fit' well before the end of lockdown, and was getting competitive minutes for Bristol City as far back as June. Important season for him with his contract expiring. The only way he'll get better is to play the games. Having Fletcher alongside him would be a massive help. If we were playing that system in a competitive league game ina couple of weeks, though, you'd start Fletcher and Campbell, wouldn't you? MON must be in a bit of a conundrum about what he does with him.
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Post by Gary Hackett on Aug 29, 2020 17:11:37 GMT
The only way he'll get better is to play the games. Having Fletcher alongside him would be a massive help. If we were playing that system in a competitive league game ina couple of weeks, though, you'd start Fletcher and Campbell, wouldn't you? MON must be in a bit of a conundrum about what he does with him. I think I'd go with Afobe and Fletcher in that system, we need to know if Afobe can be the player we all thought he could be and the only way to do that is to play him. If after 10 games it doesn't work out then that's the end of him.
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Post by gingerninja on Aug 29, 2020 17:13:36 GMT
I agree, Fletcher is a clever player and may pick out his runs, Campbell looks as if he isn't interested, his body language at the moment isn't good, imho.
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Post by march4 on Aug 29, 2020 17:14:28 GMT
If we were playing that system in a competitive league game ina couple of weeks, though, you'd start Fletcher and Campbell, wouldn't you? MON must be in a bit of a conundrum about what he does with him. I think I'd go with Afobe and Fletcher in that system, we need to know if Afobe can be the player we all thought he could be and the only way to do that is to play him. If after 10 games it doesn't work out then that's the end of him. The trouble is that would leave us playing catch up for the rest of the season.
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Post by Rt Hon Reverend Luvpump on Aug 29, 2020 17:20:15 GMT
Thought Afobe did ok today! him and fletcher up top with Campbell wide right for me thought Powell had one of his games when nothing he tries seems to come off hopefully it’ll click at Millwall.
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Post by lordb on Aug 29, 2020 18:03:52 GMT
Sounded like Powell had a stinker. As such unfair to judge Afobe today when the intended supply to him had an off day.
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Post by gingerninja on Aug 29, 2020 18:05:58 GMT
He would have buried the Gregory chance to be fair.
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Post by benjaminbiscuit on Aug 29, 2020 18:09:01 GMT
I thought he worked hard, but didn't really threaten. MON not exactly gushing about him - "I think If I'm honest, in the games, Benik still looks like he needs a lot of football and a lot of minutes" "He's back after a serious injury and we have to facilitate that and we have to get the best out of him. We made a massive investment in him 2 yrs ago and for Benik's sake and our sake, we have to get the best out of him" Hope he can - but he was 'fit' well before the end of lockdown, and was getting competitive minutes for Bristol City as far back as June. Important season for him with his contract expiring. but the service to him was absolutely dire today. He was making decent runs but the balls came in nowhere near his body. He cant create his own chances and Gregory is no help either. It’s an interesting comment on the investment given there are plenty of others Who we don’t seem to have the same view of where investment has been equally significant accepting he may be the only one prepared to play .
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Post by Gary Hackett on Aug 29, 2020 18:21:46 GMT
Sounded like Powell had a stinker. As such unfair to judge Afobe today when the intended supply to him had an off day. He played too deep, probably because Thompson wasn't doing his holding job properly. Oakley Booth was much better when he came on and was probably told to get forwards more to get a result.
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Post by FranktheRabbit on Aug 29, 2020 18:22:25 GMT
Sounded like Powell had a stinker. As such unfair to judge Afobe today when the intended supply to him had an off day. He was pretty crap to be honest yeh. Held on to the ball too long on more than one occasion, passing was off. I think you get that with him though. Sometimes he looks unplayable, others you don’t even know he’s on the pitch. Afobe worked hard and made some great runs, but your right, service was terrible. Lots seem to be slagging Gregory off but I thought he did well today. No one particularly stood out in particular apart from Davies, looks really solid.
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Post by Paul Spencer on Aug 29, 2020 18:29:34 GMT
Thought Afobe did ok today! him and fletcher up top with Campbell wide right for me thought Powell had one of his games when nothing he tries seems to come off hopefully it’ll click at Millwall. What formation would that be then?
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Aug 29, 2020 18:32:12 GMT
I think that was Powell's worst performance in a Stoke shirt. Hopefully just a one off but I'd give Oakley-Booth a start in our next friendly to get a few more minutes in his legs and let Powell know he isn't a shoe-in as a starter.
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Post by neddy on Aug 29, 2020 18:33:34 GMT
I don’t think he would be shoe in if and when Allen is fit....
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Post by lordb on Aug 29, 2020 18:38:38 GMT
Sounded like Powell had a stinker. As such unfair to judge Afobe today when the intended supply to him had an off day. He was pretty crap to be honest yeh. Held on to the ball too long on more than one occasion, passing was off. I think you get that with him though. Sometimes he looks unplayable, others you don’t even know he’s on the pitch. Afobe worked hard and made some great runs, but your right, service was terrible. Lots seem to be slagging Gregory off but I thought he did well today. No one particularly stood out in particular apart from Davies, looks really solid. Yes, not out to slaughter Powell One bad game no drama
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Aug 29, 2020 18:53:44 GMT
I don’t think he would be shoe in if and when Allen is fit.... Allen never looks creative enough in the number 10 role which is where Powell is at his best. I'd say Allen will have to battle with Clucas for the central midfield role when we play with 3 in midfield. That's why I'd like to see Oakley-Booth given more game time in pre-season to put pressure on Powell and possibly to start in his place if he proves up to it.
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Post by FranktheRabbit on Aug 29, 2020 19:02:04 GMT
He was pretty crap to be honest yeh. Held on to the ball too long on more than one occasion, passing was off. I think you get that with him though. Sometimes he looks unplayable, others you don’t even know he’s on the pitch. Afobe worked hard and made some great runs, but your right, service was terrible. Lots seem to be slagging Gregory off but I thought he did well today. No one particularly stood out in particular apart from Davies, looks really solid. Yes, not out to slaughter Powell One bad game no drama Nope. One of the best we have, he’s a joy to watch on his day.
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Post by Rt Hon Reverend Luvpump on Aug 29, 2020 20:24:19 GMT
Thought Afobe did ok today! him and fletcher up top with Campbell wide right for me thought Powell had one of his games when nothing he tries seems to come off hopefully it’ll click at Millwall. What formation would that be then? Haven’t got a clue think it would be mint though 😀
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Post by jarhead on Aug 29, 2020 20:28:52 GMT
I agree, Fletcher is a clever player and may pick out his runs, Campbell looks as if he isn't interested, his body language at the moment isn't good, imho. Totally agree.
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Post by pottersrule on Aug 30, 2020 7:32:32 GMT
Sounded like Powell had a stinker. As such unfair to judge Afobe today when the intended supply to him had an off day. He played too deep, probably because Thompson wasn't doing his holding job properly. Oakley Booth was much better when he came on and was probably told to get forwards more to get a result. There were plenty of times when Powell was in an offensive position v Blackpool and either wanted to much time,picked the wrong pass or simply passed straight to the opposition he was awful today.I really don't know what Thompson has done to be singled out.He was probably the pick of a woeful midfield today.Smith was invisible and McClean and Clucas both underperformed.
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Aug 30, 2020 7:44:01 GMT
He played too deep, probably because Thompson wasn't doing his holding job properly. Oakley Booth was much better when he came on and was probably told to get forwards more to get a result. There were plenty of times when Powell was in an offensive position v Blackpool and either wanted to much time,picked the wrong pass or simply passed straight to the opposition he was awful today.I really don't know what Thompson has done to be singled out.He was probably the pick of a woeful midfield today.Smith was invisible and McClean and Clucas both underperformed. On the subject of Smith, I thought his performance was weird. As a full back one of his strengths is his attacking play and he always looks happy when he is in the attacking third of the pitch. Yesterday I assumed he would fit easily into the role of a wing back. But most of the time he didn't even look as if he was playing at wing back. So we ended up with a right wing back who didn't attack and a left wing back (McClean) who didn't defend. No wonder we looked disjointed. If both are fit I'd be playing Edwards & Tymon as my wing backs if we use that formation on Tuesday.
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Post by neddy on Aug 30, 2020 7:49:18 GMT
Some signs he’s making good runs and the manager thinks he needs more time to get back up to speed.
Still a bit frustrating when he gets caught offside just strolling back.
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Post by chuckrocky on Aug 30, 2020 7:54:26 GMT
Thought he did ok on the whole. Made some good runs that weren’t spotted and created two very good chances in the first half.
He also should have had a tap in but Powell overhit a simple cut back in the first half.
He’d definitely benefit from playing with Fletcher.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2020 7:57:36 GMT
I don’t think he would be shoe in if and when Allen is fit.... Allen never looks creative enough in the number 10 role which is where Powell is at his best. I'd say Allen will have to battle with Clucas for the central midfield role when we play with 3 in midfield. That's why I'd like to see Oakley-Booth given more game time in pre-season to put pressure on Powell and possibly to start in his place if he proves up to it. TOB would have to play exceptionally well to put pressure on Powell. Nick has got to be the first name on O'Neill's team sheet for the foreseeable future, so good was he last season in most games. The odd bad game is not going to change that. But the young man is obviously a real talent, if nurtured right, he could in time replace Powell, when he wanders off to greener pastures, as he surely will, if we continue to be as poor a team as we were yesterday and for a lot of last season, even after the changing of the guards.
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Post by skelman on Aug 30, 2020 8:03:12 GMT
Pleased to see Afobe back and getting minutes in a Stoke shirt again. He had a torrid time under previous managers, together with the personal tragedy his family had to live through. In May Benik said: “I’d give up football to get our little girl back. Hopefully he will rediscover his footballing form under MON - “I’ll be giving everything for her, my family and all my wonderful friends. Welcome back Benik.
Benik Afobe’s wife Lois is working with the Nephrotic Syndrome Trust to raise funds and awareness for research into the condition. For more info, go to nstrust.co.uk
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Post by Fred Ferret on Aug 30, 2020 8:06:37 GMT
I agree, Fletcher is a clever player and may pick out his runs, Campbell looks as if he isn't interested, his body language at the moment isn't good, imho. Campbell actually started quite well, typically though, he reverted to type starts a move them loses heart almost immediately. Let’s hope MON starts to read the riot act with some. Powell, is a great talent and has been our star for the last third of the season, but he seemed to lack focus yesterday. MON must impose himself, which I think he will.
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Post by robwahlmann on Aug 30, 2020 8:08:36 GMT
There were plenty of times when Powell was in an offensive position v Blackpool and either wanted to much time,picked the wrong pass or simply passed straight to the opposition he was awful today.I really don't know what Thompson has done to be singled out.He was probably the pick of a woeful midfield today.Smith was invisible and McClean and Clucas both underperformed. On the subject of Smith, I thought his performance was weird. As a full back one of his strengths is his attacking play and he always looks happy when he is in the attacking third of the pitch. Yesterday I assumed he would fit easily into the role of a wing back. But most of the time he didn't even look as if he was playing at wing back. So we ended up with a right wing back who didn't attack and a left wing back (McClean) who didn't defend. No wonder we looked disjointed. If both are fit I'd be playing Edwards & Tymon as my wing backs if we use that formation on Tuesday. McClean is hopeless when it comes to marking a player! Look at the highlights from yesterday when he allows his man a free header from around 7 yards, I really don't think he knows how to do it. I warmed to McClean last season and thought he was one of our better player during the season, but he must be one of the worst "defenders" in the league! The example from yesterday is not the only one unfortunately.
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Post by CBUFAWKIPWH on Aug 30, 2020 8:27:22 GMT
If we play with a front 2 they need to work as a partnership - Afobe had a good game first half and Gregory played well second half but there wasn't much interplay. Hopefully we can perm 2 from five that will work as a unit.
I thought Fletcher looked really sharp yesterday and was always trying to link up with players around him. Afobe makes some great runs off the shoulder of the defenders but we kept trying to pick him off with long hopeful balls from the back. Those runs could turn out more effective if he's got a player near him like Fletcher who is in a better position to take advantage of his movement.
It will be interesting to see how the front line evolves and who establishes themselves in it. For me the player who made the best case was Fletcher, Afobe second, Gregory did ok - apart from the glaring miss - and Campbell wasn't really at the races. But it's early days and it can all change quite quickly as the season ramps up.
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Post by greenhoff on Aug 30, 2020 8:47:52 GMT
If we play with a front 2 they need to work as a partnership - Afobe had a good game first half and Gregory played well second half but there wasn't much interplay. Hopefully we can perm 2 from five that will work as a unit. I thought Fletcher looked really sharp yesterday and was always trying to link up with players around him. Afobe makes some great runs off the shoulder of the defenders but we kept trying to pick him off with long hopeful balls from the back. Those runs could turn out more effective if he's got a player near him like Fletcher who is in a better position to take advantage of his movement. It will be interesting to see how the front line evolves and who establishes themselves in it. For me the player who made the best case was Fletcher, Afobe second, Gregory did ok - apart from the glaring miss - and Campbell wasn't really at the races. But it's early days and it can all change quite quickly as the season ramps up. Campbell is a fantastic finisher. His application worries me.
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