Rapport från Dave, vår man på plats
Här kommer Dave's rapport + bilder från matchen mot Sunderland.
Aye up duck,
For me, this match felt like the season was now properly underway. The new signings of Tuncay & Huth certainly got the fans excited and the atmosphere was good throughout the game. It even felt like Stoke fans were all round the stadium as many Sunderland supporters wore their red 'n' white colours in the away end.
The Stoke players also responded to the new signings by starting the game brightly.
However, after 10 minutes Sunderland and in particular Darren Bent suddenly woke up.
First, Abdy produced a fantastic block when Bent looked certain to score. Then incredibly, Higgy completed an almost identical block soon after.
Bent then tried his look from out side the area only for the ball to narrowly curl wide. Stoke fans responded to these misses by singing "Thats why Tottenham f**ked you off". This was in response to Bents comments made on twitter in the summer about him not wanting to join Stoke. (cheeky f**ker)
Having survived this Stoke got back into the game and Kitson scored what proved to
be the winner for the second consecutive match.
Stoke were a much better outfit in the second half and Lawrence was unlucky when his shot was cleared off the line. Whelan & Fuller also had good efforts.
We were then treated to the introduction of Tuncay in the 83rd minute and he responded with a 40 yard run with the ball. Stoke fans have already come up with this song...
"You are my Tuncay, my only Tuncay...You make me happy ,when skies are grey.......
You'll never know dear, how much I love you.....please don't take my Tuncay away"
Positive points to make include:
- The quality of the new signings and Stoke being able to start with them on the bench. Sometimes I have to pinch myself and just reflect on how far we have come.
- The third clean sheet (4th if you include Orient). Sorro, Shawx & Abdy have carried on from last season.
- The midfields performance. Whelan, Lawrence and Etherington gave much improved performances and for me Delap was man of the match.
- Mr Dave Kitson scoring the winner at the Brit. Who would of thought that? (not me for sure).
A great performance and 3 brilliant points.
Good referee today aswell. Mr Mike Jones. He let the game flow and only intervened when required.
...Dave
Pictures from Dave
