[Archived] Stoke Preview

[Amo]

Bad tackle by Nzonzi. Looking clumsy.

[Mr. E]

bring on Olsson and Kalinic

[G Somerset Rover]

We need to get some more attacking threat on. Too much of a defensive line up now we're behind.

[SamTheShrew]

Givet has looked a liability recently

[Amo]

Olsson for Diouf (before he gets sent off)

[RibbleValleyRover]

Olsson for Diouf (before he gets sent off)

Probably best, don't want to go down to 10 men trying to chase for an equaliser.

Anyone else think our passing is even worse this season than last year?

[philipl]

Olsson misses a good chance by skying one

[Dan]

I disagree, I think Jones is still able to use his defensive qualities in midfield, but it also allows him to make dangerous runs from deep into the box. He's done that on a couple of occasions this season and he's gradually proving to be more of a threat. I prefer seeing him play there in place of Andrews or Grella.

I agree, but with N'zonzi in there or Grella when fit, we need a more attacking player in Jones' place. Though you could argue with Dunn out no one fills that role Don't you think playing him completely out of position is going to hinder his progress as a centre back? I just don't think he is suited for midfield and maybe rearrange the midfield and give an attacking player like Hoillet a chance?

Probably not much. There would be no Santa Cruz/younger, slimmer McCarthy to get on the end of them.

You're probably right, but M Diouf has looked okay in the air, but Pedersen and Diouf are inconsistent with their deliveries. Especially Pedersen's mostly awful corners.

[beerwins]

M Diouf has not been good, he hasn'nt had much to work with but what he has had he has'nt done well, I think he needs a partner with him.

[Miker]

Being dominated in the second half - Mame Diouf has been completely absent.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Great save by Robbo stops Stoke taking a 2-0 lead.

[sambo]

RoversPlayer reports Andrews is getting stripped off

[philipl]

brilliant save by Robbo

[Amo]

Stoke should be out of sight.

EDIT: Commentator praising the Stoke fans. They were anaesthetized until the goal!

[Dan]

Givet has looked a liability recently

Would Jones not be worth a shot at left back? He isn't as slow as Givet and can certainly tackle. Can't be worse. I like Givet, but left back shows up his limitations.

Difficult game this one, I can't see us getting back into this the way we are playing lately. Stoke are much better at the style we are trying to play than we are and they have quality upfront, which we don't. M Dioufs, first touch is bloody awful(All the Man Utd fans I speak to tell me this was his problem at United)

RoversPlayer reports Andrews is getting stripped off

Surely Hoillet or Kalanic would be a better option? Andrews isn't going to change the game for us(well at least not for the better). If Andrews comes on it proves that Sam hasn't got a clue.

[BPF]

Can't believe we put ourselves through this every week.

[beerwins]

Our midfield is too defensive, if we have Jones and Nzonzi holding why the hell is Pederson not busting a gut to get forward, I cant work out Pedersons position sometimes he just floats around without acomplishing anything.

[Amo]

Would Jones not be worth a shot at left back? He isn't as slow as Givet and can certainly tackle. Can't be worse. I like Givet, but left back shows up his limitations.

There's the problem. We have four very able centre-backs being shoehorned into the starting 11. Givet isn't a left-back and Jones isn't a midfielder.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Difficult game this one, I can't see us getting back into this the way we are playing lately. Stoke are much better at the style we are trying to play than we are and they have quality upfront, which we don't. M Dioufs, first touch is bloody awful(All the Man Utd fans I speak to tell me this was his problem at United)

Its like a student trying to get one over his mentor. Stoke are the masters of the direct, aerial style of play as they have the perfect players for that system. You aren't going to trouble them in the air, so launching long balls is largely pointless.

Still time left but i am strugling to see how we will get back into this game, unless we see a moment of brilliance from someone.

[Amo]

Its like a student trying to get one over his mentor. Stoke are the masters of the direct, aerial style of play as they have the perfect players for that system. You aren't going to trouble them in the air, so launching long balls is largely pointless.

Still time left but i am strugling to see how we will get back into this game, unless we see a moment of brilliance from someone.

Would it be unfair to call us a poor man's Stoke?

[BPF]

I've been calling us that for two seasons.

[Doaksie]

I think Match Of The Day would be within their rights to not show our game at all this week.

Towels for defensive throw-ins.

[Dan]

There's the problem. We have four very able centre-backs being shoehorned into the starting 11. Givet isn't a left-back and Jones isn't a midfielder.

Maybe we should try 6 at the back? We bypass the midfield anyway and only EH Diouf seems to do anything productive going forward.

Would it be unfair to call us a poor man's Stoke?

It would be extremtely generous to be honest.....

We are awful at this awful 'style' Sam is trying to force on us. We play much better when get it on the deck, Sam can't see this though. Last season our results improved when we played some football(usually in the 2nd half of games, when the long ball hadn't worked for 45 minutes).

[brfcmad1979]

the same old hoof it into the it's bloody crap! No creativity!

[Dan]

Great tackle Jones! Best moment of the game for me(!!)