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Post by Jamo on the wing on Dec 9, 2007 18:32:01 GMT
Very good point and one I'd have gladly taken before kick-off. Not a great game but we certainly matched (and indeed bettered) the team currently sitting top having just come down from the Premiership. Thought Pugh was exactly what we needed in the middle today, he got stuck in covered a shit load of ground and chipped in with some good probing passes. While on the subject of midfield it would be unfair not to recognise Delap's efforts this afternoon, I haven't been his biggest fan but thought he did well today and it was probably his best outing to date. Zak came in and again let nobody down and Dicko also did a good job at full-back, to be fair we defended pretty well as a unit and that was very encouraging with Cort looking more assured. Up front and Ric was obviously a constant menace although as we saw perhaps his recent goal drought is affecting his confidence a bit as I'm sure he'd have tucked at least two of those chances away a few weeks ago. He needs a goal and we all want him to get back in scoring form to match his overall excellent efforts. Alongside Ric, Mama was having a very tough afternoon to be honest, he hardly won a header and was pretty much a peripheral figure. I think he needs a rest if only to take some of the pressure off him that comes with not finding the net all season. At the minute the only option is to play Dicko and push Pugh back wide to allow Cress to go up top as it appears that Demar isn't ready or isn't good enough in the management teams' eyes. Just a quick word on the officials as I'm sick of having to comment on these buffoons week in week out but these were again wank with all the 50-50's going Watford's way and those penalty shouts looking very legitimate. So to sum up although it wasn't a classic but I thought we showed a lot of heart, worked exceptionally hard and created much the better chances and if either team deserved to win it was undoubtedly us. Roll on Blackpool and please God don't let it rain  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2007 18:36:52 GMT
very accurate summery
thought the main trouble with the ref was he was whistle-happy
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Post by nathan on Dec 9, 2007 18:43:11 GMT
I disagree naughty.
The main issue with the ref was his inconsistency. Prime example of this being how he was being pedantic as to where throw ins were being taken. Not exactly pleasing, but it would of been something had he done the same to Watford who were equal offenders on this front.
One of the lino's was a ditherer. Be decisive, christ.
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Post by 5ManBack4 on Dec 9, 2007 19:48:30 GMT
Good point against the league leaders,but we still miss the class we need in midfield as the excellent liam lawrence IS our midfeld everything creative comes off him.ricci needs a goal but nothing to worry about there,overall a very good 2 weeks for us stokies....bring on blackpool and the baggies!!.  |
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Post by Olgrligm on Dec 9, 2007 19:55:02 GMT
The referee was poor. It was always going to be a physical game and he'd decided to be very precious. I don't think that Wright looked up to it either, I'd be much happier with Wilkinson there.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2007 19:55:44 GMT
see your point nath but didn't you see the ref seeming to not let the gane flow
the linesnan, on the left where I was sitting, in the boothen (when Stoke were attecking the Boothen) seemed hopeless
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Post by bogus on Dec 9, 2007 20:11:37 GMT
jamo, we seem to watch a similar game and I agree with most of that.
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Post by Jamo on the wing on Dec 9, 2007 22:16:44 GMT
Bogus,
I thought people would be hard pressed to be too upset about today and can only assume that it is due to their disappointment that we didn't go on and win. I was gutted but it doesn't detract from the fact that the players but in a very good shift this afternoon and it was a good display with two first XI regulars missing.
If I have one tiny gripe then it would be the decision to pick Pericard as well as Parkin on the bench ahead of Phillips (unless he was injured) as in those late stages I would have liked to see a winger have a go at their very dodgy looking right back.
Other than that I couldn't really fault anything else from selection to performances.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2007 22:30:38 GMT
Nice summary Jamo, I know the game is all about opinions just glad to see that quite a few saw the same game as me today.
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Post by Jamo on the wing on Dec 9, 2007 22:37:44 GMT
It's all about balance sidders, I've been critical at times this season (and I still stand by everything that I've said) but when I see a good effort then I will be as definite in my praise as I am in my disappointment.
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Post by bogus on Dec 9, 2007 22:50:00 GMT
The bench was the only thing that I would find complaint with today, jamo. Parkin aside, I can't really think of anyone who was on there other than for a complete emergency to cover for injury. You wouldn't really bring the others on to change a game would you?
I suppose it shows just how much we are short in numbers of players of the required standard. A couple of injuries/suspensions and we're terribly thin on the ground. The manager must have some responsibility for that, of course, and must do something about it in January.
Phillips? I don't know why he wasn't there. Maybe he was injured or maybe the manager thought that he might have been struggling against a very physical Watford.
I couldn't honestly fault the players on the pitch today. Like yourself, I thought they gave a very tough Watford side a very tough game.
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Post by Jamo on the wing on Dec 9, 2007 23:40:04 GMT
You're right bogus, we do look very thin on the ground so it's important to keep picking up results like today and then hope the cavalry ride in during January. Who knows what will happen if the right players come in and make us stronger, the divison is certainly even more open than last year so we would have every chance.
Over to PC and TP.
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