Rapport från Dave, vår man på plats
Dave är tillbaka, den här gången med en rapport från matchen Stoke-Hull. Thanks Dave.
Aye up duck,
The pre-match drink at The Plough was a little quieter without the swedish stokies who were there in force for the previous home game against Tottenham. I did manage to spot Stoke squad player Ryan Shotton in there though with his mates. He's currently on loan at Barnsley but obviously wasn't playing for them today. To prove that Stoke are really cosmopolitan these days I heard a group of lads in the club shop who sounded Dutch!!!
On to the game. Well it wasn't the prettiest of but Stoke marched on to claim the 3 points.
The only change from the starting line up from last week was that Fuller replaced Mama. The surprising inclusion for me was Abdy who managed to shake off his injury. I had convinced myself that Ryan was going to replace him.
I was thinking before the game that every time we play Hull at home it ends in draw.
Hull chose to take a reduced allocation for their supporters which consisted of just over 1000. Therefore more seats were available for Stoke supporters and even though there were some empty ones in the south stand, the crowd of over 27,600 was a premiership record for the club.
The early goal certainly set the agenda for the game as it was then up to Hull to attack us and they didn't really have the fire power to do this. Stoke were content to work hard to close them down and break when able too. This had an effect on the atmosphere which was a little below the usual standard as Stoke fans were able to relax a little.
Sorro.....I've just thought that I can't recall him having anything to do.
Huth......Solid as usual. He's obviously not a right back by trade but in this sort of game he had no problems. He has been a really good acquisition for the club.
Higgy......Voted Man of the Match by the sponsors. Higgy has done incredibly well to get his place back in the team. At one point in the season it looked like his Stoke days were numbered.
Abdy.......Like I said his inclusion was a surprise to me. Did well though.
Collins.....Enjoying a good run in the team now. Overall did OK although he is prone to the odd mistake now and again which can make you nervous.
Lawrence....He looked so relieved after he had scored his first goal of the season. Although he didn't get his top off! - pity - (My wife just wrote the last sentence, not me) He took the goal well but his general contribution apart from his tireless work rate is a little lacking. I know that he hasn't had much of a run in the team but I wonder if Stoke will be looking to replace him in the summer. I don't know its just a feeling I've got.
Whelan....Quiet game for Glenn. He did well to block a goal bound effort in the second half though.
Delap.......Did OK. Saw less of him in the second half.
Ethers......Always looking to run at players. He also has been a good acquisition for the club and has put in some consistent performances this season.
Fuller.......Took the goal really well. Got injured in the process but carried on until half time.
Kitson......Did well. Won his fair share of headers including the one for the opening goal.
Tuncay.....Replaced Fuller at half time. Good effort and you get the impression that he really wants to do well and be liked by the fans. I noticed that he threw his shirt into the crowd after the game again. Sometimes he tries a little too hard maybe and needs to calm down a bit. For example, he snatched at a shot from distance that missed the target with the goal keeper out of position. It was also unfortunate when his attempted over head kick smacked Boateng in the face causing a nasty injury. Tunny looked visibly shaken by the incident. I must mention the Hull players and staff for not going overboard on the challenge as it was clearly an accident. This was in stark contrast to the Arsenal reaction a few weeks ago.
Mama............Replaced Kitson late on.
Whitehead.....Returned to the squad after suspension and came on to for the ineffective Whelan.
So back to back wins and a consecutive clean sheet...Happy days indeed.
To reach 42 points with 6 games remaining is a fantastic achievement for the club. This time last year we had just beaten West Brom away 2-0 to make it 35 points with 7 games left.
By coincidence, we achieved 42 points last year by beating Hull 2-1 with goals from Fuller & Lawrence. strange eh?
....Dave
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