Just back, ratings

[Olgrligm]

Simonsen - 6
Wright - 6
Cort - 5
Shawcross - 6
Pugh - 6
Lawrence - 6.5
Eustace - 6.5
Delap - 7 MOTM
Cresswell - 6
Parkin - 5
Sidibe - 6

Dickinson - 6
Pericard - 5
Zakuani - 6

Awful home performance, we played like an away team and just didn't turn up. Despite this, we could easily have won and certainly had the chances. One throw in was cleared off the line just after the goal, Wright, Parkin and Sidibe managed to balls up an open goal between them, Pericard went clean through and fell over (maybe a penalty?) and there was a chance for someone to put in a winner right at the death. That said, we were fortunate that Hull didn't go for the kill. They're a poor side, but we allowed them to play around us and play tippy-tappy-going-nowhere-nosebleed-in-the-box West Brom crap. There was very little pressure on any of our players in if anything our players looked lead footed and low on strength.

Abominable defending on the far post in the 6 yards box for the goal AGAIN. Worse still, 5 minutes later we let Windass hit the bar from the same position. Cort and Pugh were weak at the back and I can't help but think that Cort is a liability. Yes, he got us a goal, but he could easily have cost us more. Their big striker had him in his back pocket all game.

The midfield...hmmm. Delap and Eustace had decent games individually, with Delap the better of the two, but collectively the midfield was weak and overrun. Their captain and Eustace lookalike Number 4 had a decent game and they just played it around us.

Up front we were frustrating. Mama won the ball in the air (worryingly, he's still not back to his best) but every time he did, nobody was at hand to pick it up because Parkin just isn't mobile enough. Parkin himself was hard to watch because he's so slow witted off the ball at times, even if he has a good brain on the ball. His reaction speed was really low. More worryingly, we missed another sitter, failing to even get a touch on the ball.

Still, despite all this and what is, ultimately, a poor result, we are still unbeaten in 9 games now. We may need a new centre half and a new full back, but we've got enough about us to beat Newcastle. Surely it's a positive that teams are time wasting against us? That suggests we've gone places.

One final thing. Fair play to Hull's manager, there was a bit of banter with him and he's a good sport. Brian Horton looks like he's still got his man management skills from the Vale though and remains a complete and utter pillock.

[fentonstokie]

6 for Wright, you feelin alright. worst RB i've seen for a long time.

[Big Al]

shit the lot of them

[citysoldierjack]

lawrence was the only one who actuali tried today imho

[Pembo]

Fentons spot on, Wright was shite

[Jamo on the wing]

Marks not a million miles off Mystical although I think Sidibe and Parkin were 4's at best. They combined to give possibly the worst display from a front pairing I've ever seen. Im sad to say it but the African Nations Cup can't come soon enough for us, we simply HAVE to play Cress (or a new striker) up with Ric when he gets back. When Mama plays well he's a real handful and was a decent part of the team last year, I can't however recall many decent run outs for him this season though and he has to be dropped. We simply cannot afford to carry anybody and when he plays like he has been doing we are carrying him.
I'm not overally concerned about the perfromance today, we had an off day and TP dropped a bollock by pairing those two up front but these things happen and hopefully he'll realise he shouldn't do it again.
We're 4th and doing well but it's obvious we need some new players to add to what we've got as once the surface is scratched there isn't much else in the squad to keep us competitive.
Goaaarrnnn Stoke

[BiddulphStokie]

Simonsen - 6.5
Wright - 5
Cort - 6.5
Shawcross - 6
Pugh - 6
Lawrence - 6.5
Eustace - 6
Delap - 7 MOTM
Cresswell - 6
Parkin - 5
Sidibe - 5.5

Dickinson - 6
Pericard - 5
Zakuani - 6

[Fred Astaire]

Parkin was probably worth a 4. But that's only for managing to get from the pitch to the dressing room and back again in just 15 minutes. Half-times are just not long enough for old onepace.

[nathan]

Wright was worth a 4, MD. Absolutely abysmal.

[StokieSideAss]

Simonsen - 6
Wright - 4
Cort - 6.5
Shawcross - 6.5
Pugh - 6
Lawrence - 6.5
Eustace - 6.5
Delap - 7 MOTM
Cresswell - 6
Parkin - 5
Sidibe - 5

Dickinson - 6
Pericard - 5
Zakuani - 6


What get's me is why do people cheer when Parkin is being subbed (Fair enough he didnt have a good game but he was no worse than Sidibe) but when Wright is being subbed who had the worst game ive seen a Stoke player have for quite a while, no one says a word!

[potters11]

Simonsen 7
Wright 5
Shawcross 7
Cort 7
Pugh 6
Lawrence 6
Eustace 6
Delap 7
Cresswell 6
Sidibe 5
Parkin 5

Dicko 6
Pericard 6.

A poor day at the office. We looked tired, and totally off the pace from the first whistle. Hull deserved to win, and that about sums it up. The front 2 were very, very poor. Delap was my MOM, Cort and Shawcross had solid games. We have played without Ricardo in 2 games in the last couple of months, and they have been the worst 2 games, it showed it even more today, Ricardo is GOD!! Let's hope he is back for the Newcastle match, as we have no chance without him.
On a positive note, we haven't lost an awful lot of ground, and we now have a nice little break from the league, before taking on 1 of the best teams in terms of home form.

[mermaidsal]

Well, I guess we were due a bad one but that really was crap. On the other hand 12 months ago we'd have lost and we didn't do that.

I pretty much agree with your ratings, Mystical, but I'd have bumped Liam up and 7 and made him joint MoM. And I hope I never have to see Beast or anyone else looking so bloody inadequate leading the line again.