Rapport från Dave, vår man på plats
Dave var på plats på DW Stadium och här kommer hans rapport.
Aye up duck,
Pete, Charlotte, Wils & me self made the trip up to see the Mighty Potters take on Wigan.
Prior to the Sunderland match I would of settled for 5 points from the next 3 games so I was more than pleased with the point from this encounter. In the end Stoke could of come away with all 3 points in what was an exciting match.
As tickets were priced at the very reasonable price of £20 each a large contingent of Stokies were there to see the team maintain their impressive form of 2010. They have now gone 7 games unbeaten. Five of these games have been in Premiership matches which is in itself a record for Stoke since the return to top flight football. In the first half though a defeat looked on the cards as Stoke struggled to deal with the pace and aerial threat that Wigan posed.
After going a goal behind just after 15 minutes (from a set piece) it was all Wigan and I remember thinking that I would be pleased to reach half-time with Stoke still only one goal down. Pulis also helped out by having the insight to make some tactical adjustments in the defence midway through the first half which steadied the ship somewhat.
The second half was a different story as Stoke started to exert their own pressure and in the end we could have easily nicked it.
As usual Pulis tinkered with the line up. Fuller & Lawro made way for Tuncay & Whelan. Faye wasn't risked. I got to say that I was pleased to see that Diao was nowhere to be seen.
Sorro...Did well but I thought he could of commanded his area a little more particularly when Wigan had a succession of corners in the first half.
Wilko...Started as right back but switched to left back to man mark Wigans N'Zogbia and he did well once he settled into the role.
Higgy...Moved to centre half after struggling to cope with N'Zogbia out on the left and looked more comfortable in that position.
Huth....Started as a centre half but moved to right back in the re-shuffle.....(Are you following this?) Picked up a yellow for a clumsy challenge. Huth is a real assassin type of player. He's quite ruthless at putting in challenges that are needed for the team if you understand what I mean.
Shawx...Stayed as a centre half all game (phew!!!) He put in some outstanding blocks to deter Wigan who seemed to have a policy of shooting on sight of goal.
Delap....Didn't see much of Rory to be honest.
Whitehead...Another good effort from Deano. Really settled into the team now.
Whelan....A bit hit & miss to be honest. Poor first half but improved in the second.
Ethers.....Another sterling effort. He switched from the left flank to the right throughout the match and looked a constant threat. The only down side was that he often had to cut in when on the right wing in order to cross on his left foot which gave defenders a little extra time. Having said that the equaliser came from such a cross.
Tuncay....Good all round effort from Tunny. Positioned himself well for the equaliser and could of got 2 on another day. He scored Stokes first away goal since Hull on November 8th.
Mama.....In my opinion Mama had one of his rare good away performances. Others may disagree but I think he works well for the team. Hit the bar just after we equalised.
Fuller...Replaced Delap. People talk of "impact players" to bring on to change the game and Fuller definitely fits into that category. He looked really up for it as Stoke went for an equaliser and then the winner. His pace was such a threat. I (and many others) were pleased to see him on the same pitch as Tuncay for a change. A moment of madness when he appeared to raise his arm and knock a Wigan defender to the floor could of cost him and the team dearly. (Fortunately, the police didn't get involved on this occasion). Will he ever learn?..I don't think so.
B.T....Came on and nearly got the winner with a powerful shot right at the end. He did well. Lets hope that he's going to settle down now and put in some performances like last season.
Lawro...Late substitute. Intelligently let the ball run for B.T. to shoot for that chance at the end.
One word about the pitch..shocking. Wigan share their stadium with the local rugby team and it shows. Premiership?
The team can now go to Manchester on Saturday full of confidence.
.......Dave
