Rapport från Dave, vår man på plats
Här kommer rapport och bilder från Dave i samband med matchen mot Portsmouth. Thanks Dave.
Aye up duck,
The decision was made to make a short detour from our usual pre-match routine in order to check out "The Red House" public house in Longton. Its about a 5 minute drive from The Brit. I really like pubs that have a strong identity with the local team and this one has lots of Stoke City memorabilia dotted around the place including a turnstile from the Victoria ground. It recently commissioned a young artist to paint some famous Stoke City images onto a wall in the courtyard (smoking area) out the back and they are really impressive. Some of the players on display have signed their respected painting. More paintings are planned. Its well worth a visit.
This detour enabled us to take our minds of the job in hand that Stoke could really do with 3 valuable points after the recent disappointments against Wolves & Hull. Personally, only 3 points would do to etch the memory of that Hull defeat. If Spurs away was our best result since our return to the top flight then, to me, Hull was our worst.
In order to celebrate the recent renewing of their sponsorship deal with The Britannia building society, Stoke offered those individuals who have a "Support & Save" account a voucher for 2 match tickets for £5 each (bargain). This swelled the Stokies in attendance to over 26,000 (? a record at The Brit). To accommodate this increase in home support the segregation lines were altered in the South stand. It was great sight to see Stokies behind both goals. A similar deal is on offer for the Fulham match in the new year.
Huth replaced Abdy in the middle as he was serving his one match ban. Wilko came into the right back slot. Diao returned from injury and replaced the (?) injured Whelan. Mama was on the bench in place of Kitson.
By choosing to play 2 defensive midfielders in Whitehead & Diao Stoke inevitably once again allowed the opposition to boss the midfield. Now, I can understand this tactic away from home to a certain degree but at home against a team that is bottom of the league? Needless to say it wasn't long before some supporters were singing for the introduction of Whelan & Lawrence.
The frustration grew as the game wore on and the team were booed by some at half - time. Now, I can understand supporters getting frustrated but booing the team is not the answer. I know that some of the recent performances have being below par and that Pulis can be stubborn in his team selection but why on earth would you boo the team? I just don't get it. I just think back to some of the dark days and dwell on how far we have come as a club and a team....Oh well, Rant over.
Sorro - Good game. A little indecisive early on but guessed right to save the penalty.
Wilko - Man of the match. Supporters will always love a local lad who plays with 100% commitment and it was great to hear Stokies singing his name in the second half. Nearly scored with that fantastic run. Its going to be interesting to see what Pulis does on Saturday.
Collins - I notice that Collins is coming in for a certain amount of stick from Stokies who are quick to criticise his errors. I'm sure that some fans still haven't forgiven him for that last minute penalty against Bolton. Others argue that his presence in the team has coincided with Etheringtons rise in form. Defensively he seems OK, its just that some of his attacking play is not so good at the minute.
Shawx - Captain for the day. Did OK
Huth - Did OK. He has a no nonsense approach to defending compared to Abdy.
Whitehead - I read that someone had named him Mr Invisible and I understand why. The game moves along without you really noticing him. He is obviously instructed to sit and protect the back four and his does that job well. I saw some statistics that he is an accurate passer but not so successful in the tackle which was a little surprising. He had a hand (NOT a Thierry Henry hand) in the build up to the goal.
Diao - After his heroics at Spurs Sally was a little disappointing. He seems to play better away from home when the tactics suit his style of play.
Delap - Don't know what he was doing to give away the penalty. He nearly took the blokes head off. Rory is struggling out on the right. Is it me or are the throw-ins getting a little predictable. Either that or the opposition have sussed them out. Stokes poor set up for the throw-ins throughout the game didn't help.
Ethers - Most exciting player at the moment. He would of liked to of scored for the third consecutive game but had to settle for an assist.
B.T. - Its just not happening for B.T. at the moment. Maybe carrying an injury. His time will come.
Fuller - Took his first league goal of the campaign in some style. Lets hope now that he has opened his account he goes on to get a few more. He usually operates in this way.
Mama - Came on for B.T. and played more like the Mama of old. He got about the park and looked busy. Had a poor finish when put through by Lawro.
Lawro - Replaced Diao and raised the tempo of Stokes play.
Tuncay - Ahhh..Tuncay..I'm getting the feeling that this guy just isn't going to fit into our team and that he will become another Kitson. I hope that I'm proved wrong.
He was involved in Stokes goal even though he wasn't on the pitch. I'll explain..The sight of him on the sidelines getting ready to come on excited the Stoke support. This in turn seemed to get the players playing and before the ball had gone out of play Fuller scored. I class that as an assist. He eventually did come on and replaced Fuller. I'm a little baffled why Pulis will not try and play Fuller & Tuncay together. Personally, I would like to see him play just behind the front two but I cant see Pulis doing that (too risky). What about playing him on the right?
.......Dave
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