Rapport från Dave, vår man på plats
Dave var på plats när Stoke gick vidare i Carling Cup förra veckan. Här kommer hans rapport och bilder.
Aye up duck,
What a classic this turned out to be. Stoke had made 11 changes from Saturday but to be fair Blackpool had also made changes themselves.
After a poor first half which saw Stoke go in 1-0 down, the second half didn't get any better. After 60 seconds of the restart Stoke found themselves 2 goals down after conceding from a corner.
On 60 minutes Lawrence took advantage of the fact that Fuller was on the bench by grabbing the ball after Tuncay had won a penalty. Unfortunately, the chance to get back into the game was wasted as the keeper made a comfortable save.
The turning point of the game was the introduction of Fuller & Ethers. Stoke now started to look like they meant business and after 6 crazy minutes Stoke were 3-2 ahead. Unfortunately, this lead didn't last long as Blackpool quickly equalised from a Ben Burgess header (remember him?).
Thoughts of extra time were put to one side though when Griffin made sure that it was Stokes turn to gain advantage of a late goal for change by scoring the winner in injury time.
This was good news for Stoke as by this time we were down to 10 men as Fuller had retired with a groin injury.
Simmo - Mixed performance.
Wilko - Did alright.
Griffin - Made captain. Did OK. Nice winning goal.
Higgy & Cort - Pulis will have noticed that these two conceded 2 headed goals. One was from the smallest guy on the pitch.
Arismendi - Shaky start but improved as the half went on. He looks a long way off a premiership debut though. Taken off at half-time due to injury.
Pugh - Didn't stop running all night.
Lawrence - Did alright.
Tuncay - Improved as the game wore on. Looked really good in the second half. Was fouled for the penalty and was involved for Ethers & Fullers goals. Tried a cheeky chip that went over when he probably should of gone for power when put through.
B.T. - Poor first half. Was off the pace but improved in the second.
Soares - Looks like he is struggling for confidence.
Tonge - Came on for Arismendi at half time. Played well. I rate this player and feel that he hasn't really had a chance to prove himself.
Fuller - Came on for B.T. and made a difference. Unfortunately got injured and is a doubt for Saturday.
Ethers - Came on for Soares and made a difference.
.....Dave
Pictures from Dave
