Rapport från Dave, vår man på plats
Dave var på JJB Stadium i lördags när Stoke tog en poäng mot Wigan.
Aye up duck,
Well it wasn't pretty but a point is a point. The commitment of the players again was there for all to see.
I don’t like to see our players arguing with each other (Ab Faye & Kitson ) but it does show their passion and a willingness to do well.
After losing Sidibe early in the second half we proceeded to defend deep and didn't offer much in the way of an attacking threat. Still they held out for a valuable point.
After all what had gone on in the week I was fearful of a post-Arsenal backlash and that the referee may of taken Wengers comments as fact.
Sorro.......Rode his luck a little at times on crosses but showed what a good shot stopper he is. Is it me or is he growing taller each week?
Griff.........Good effort. Had his work cut out particularly in the second period but did well. Griff is the only Stoke player to of played every minute of every league game so far this seaon.
Shawcross & Ab Faye.....Performed well under the onslaught.
Higgy.......Seems to relish these encounters
Diao, Olly & Amdy Faye...Played deep in our own half for the second period. Struggled to relieve the pressure.
Delap....You would not believe the positive & negative media attention that Rory Delap is having (& his throw-ins, of course). I read somewhere that prior to this fixture he had taken 88 throw-ins so far this season.
Fuller.....Worked incredibly hard up front all on his own.
Sidibe....Ankle injury ended his afternoon soon after half time.
Kitson....Had nearly all of the second half due to Mamas injury. We just don't play to his style of play at all and I may be wrong but he’s starting to look like he’s a little
distant from the rest of the players. He’s clearly not happy.
Cresswell...Was brought on for Amdy Faye with 6 minutes to go much to the despair of the Stoke fans who wanted Whelan brought on to give us some creativity.
Whelan......Was brought on for Olly with 4 minutes to go to give us some creativity.
.....Dave
