Rapport från Dave, vår man på plats
Då Dave bor ganska nära Birmingham så var det inte helt oväntat att han var på plats i lördags på St Andrews Stadium. Här kommer hans rapport och bilder.
Aye up duck,
Wils & myself were joined by Nick & his son Scott for the short trip (for us anyway) up to Birmingham. We decided to have a drink or two in Bromsgrove instead of risking it trying to get into a pub near the stadium. We met up with Pete & Charlotte at the ground. Petes wife, who is a Blues fan, sat with the Birmingham supporters. (As Stoke didn't lose Pete did decide to give her a lift home). I too desperately didn't want us to lose as my wife and her family are all blue noses (Birmingham supporters) aswell.
Even with 2 goal nets to aim at we still couldn't get a goal. Stoke have now failed to score against Blues in our last 6 encounters.
At the start of the season I would of been pleased with 4 points out of the first 3 games of the campaign. However, Birmingham were definitely there for the taking and this was very much a case of 2 points dropped. Having said that Blues had the best chance of the match so things could of been much worse. Stoke had plenty of pressure but again this was only from set pieces and even then we had no real clear cut efforts. The team aren't firing on all cylinders at the moment and many individual players are below par.
Sorro...........Good start to the season. Great reflex save to ensure at least a point.
Especially as he had little else to do all afternoon.
Wilko & Higgy....Plenty of endeavour but little else I'm afraid. Poor distribution time after time.
Shawx & Abdy...These two were the best players on the pitch by a mile.
Lawro & Ethers...Another below par performance from these two.
Whelan..............Poor game.
Delap.................Unsurprisingly, Rory has taken the most throw-ins in the league already.
B.T....................Injured after 11 minutes.
Fuller.................Making an effort but just not getting the run of the ball yet.
Kits...................Came on for B.T. early on. The lad is clearly trying but I just don't think he is suited to our style of play.
Whitehead.........Surprisingly dropped from the midweek match. Replaced Ethers. Didn't make much of an impression.
Of course there are positives to be taken such as 2 clean sheets and the fact that Stoke have picked up points with lacklustre performances. The team desperately needs to be refreshed. Lets hope for some "quality" signings before the deadline because we need to get some players in.
"Wishing Nudger a speedy recovery from Bromsgrove & Redditch Stokies".
(Redaktionens anm: Nudger är killen som råkade illa ut efter matchen mot Birmingham)
.......Dave
Pictures from Dave
