The buildup was all Hull City.Manager's job on the line,in the bottom three,not scored for three games,always lose if they go a goal down .......Well you sort of knew that fate was being tempted here,certainly as far as Stoke were concerned.
The Potters looked the business in the first half,not seriously dominant but good enough to hold onto the lead that Matt Etherington gave them in the 29th minute.He was set free by Shawcross's long punt toward the left wing.With a clear run on goal he beat keeper Duke with a fierce shot inside the near post.
The morgue like atmosphere at the KC Stadium was lifted by a most unlikely character.Remember that cracking volley last season,his only Prem goal for Stoke?Who was it? Old boy Olofinjana brought Hull back on terms - and I suspect Manager Brown back from the dead - with an exquisite curling shot from the edge of the box,which easily beat Sorensen's despairing dive.
Hull began seriously to believe.Stoke brought on Kitson and Tuncay,still looking to win the game themselves.Tuncay scampered about for precisely seven minutes.Abdy Faye stupidly got himself sent off for a second yellow card,Tuncay was pulled off,to be replaced by defender Wilkinson.The turkish international was not best pleased ( anyone lip read in Turkish?)going off down the players tunnel rather than resuming his place on the bench.
Shoring up the defence proved futile,as in stoppage time Sorensen had trouble dealing with a dipping Bullard long range effort,and the man with the incredibly long name (take a deep breath....Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink) was on hand to pop the ball in the net for the winner.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
STOKE SHARE (SHED?) POINTS...
STOKE CITY FC 2 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 2
At halftime few people in the ground would have been expecting this result.Stoke were comprensively in charge having moved serenely into a two goal lead.
The Potters played some really good football in no small part inspired a lively contribution from Etherington.He made the first goal with a speedy burst down the left,outpacing the defender,crossing powerfully into the six yard box for - it appeared initially - James Beattie to bundle the ball into the net.It was however an own goal.
From a Rory Delap throw from the right(why do people keep coming onto Radio Stoke's P&G to say that the tactic no longer works?) a flick on reached Etherington on the edge of the Wolves box.His chest down and immediate volley into the back of the net was pure class.Game over....well it should have been...but it wasn't.
Stoke got off to a most unfortunate start to the second half.Within a minute Wolves had pulled a goal back and given themselves a real lift.A doubtful freekick from the right was played into the Stoke box.Jody Craddock,clearly offside to everyone but the linesman (the right term for this character...assistant ref is a bit too grand),headed in.Craddock couldn't believe his luck when he headed home the equaliser as the Stoke defence slept in.
The second half was more Wolves than a curiously disjointed Stoke outfit,yet we had the chance to win the game.From Etherington's corner the unmarked Stoke skipper,Abdy Faye,got to the ball but only succeeded in heading over.
So one point instead of three ......but I find the booing from some people around the ground totally inexplicable.What do they want?
This was an entertaining game,good value for money,four goals,plenty of effort,no rub of the green (which we definitely had last week!),and on this particular day the win was not to be.
At halftime few people in the ground would have been expecting this result.Stoke were comprensively in charge having moved serenely into a two goal lead.
The Potters played some really good football in no small part inspired a lively contribution from Etherington.He made the first goal with a speedy burst down the left,outpacing the defender,crossing powerfully into the six yard box for - it appeared initially - James Beattie to bundle the ball into the net.It was however an own goal.
From a Rory Delap throw from the right(why do people keep coming onto Radio Stoke's P&G to say that the tactic no longer works?) a flick on reached Etherington on the edge of the Wolves box.His chest down and immediate volley into the back of the net was pure class.Game over....well it should have been...but it wasn't.
Stoke got off to a most unfortunate start to the second half.Within a minute Wolves had pulled a goal back and given themselves a real lift.A doubtful freekick from the right was played into the Stoke box.Jody Craddock,clearly offside to everyone but the linesman (the right term for this character...assistant ref is a bit too grand),headed in.Craddock couldn't believe his luck when he headed home the equaliser as the Stoke defence slept in.
The second half was more Wolves than a curiously disjointed Stoke outfit,yet we had the chance to win the game.From Etherington's corner the unmarked Stoke skipper,Abdy Faye,got to the ball but only succeeded in heading over.
So one point instead of three ......but I find the booing from some people around the ground totally inexplicable.What do they want?
This was an entertaining game,good value for money,four goals,plenty of effort,no rub of the green (which we definitely had last week!),and on this particular day the win was not to be.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
NO SHOW,STOKE
PORTMOUTH 4 STOKE CITY FC 0
A night to forget......
Stoke exited the Carling Cup in disappointing fashion at Fratton park.A goal down at halftime to Piquionne's header (17min), they conceded two soft scores in the second period to the home side after a decent Webber strike (55 min) .Piquionne (59min) was left with a tap in for his second goal of the night following Simonsen's fumble.Old stager Kanu completed the scoring (81 mins)following Glen Whelan's slip.
No real threat posed by The Potters, although Tuncay had the ball in the net from Arismendi's cross,but his effort was ruled offside.
Any pluses? Big Mama's return to action after his 7 month layoff.
Stoke: Simonsen , Griffin , Higginbotham , Cort , Lawrence (Soares 75) ,Tonge ,Whelan ,Pugh ,Arismendi ,Kitson (Sidibe ,55 ) ,Sanli (Moult ,82)
Subs not used Wedderburn,Lund,Parton,Connor,
A night to forget......
Stoke exited the Carling Cup in disappointing fashion at Fratton park.A goal down at halftime to Piquionne's header (17min), they conceded two soft scores in the second period to the home side after a decent Webber strike (55 min) .Piquionne (59min) was left with a tap in for his second goal of the night following Simonsen's fumble.Old stager Kanu completed the scoring (81 mins)following Glen Whelan's slip.
No real threat posed by The Potters, although Tuncay had the ball in the net from Arismendi's cross,but his effort was ruled offside.
Any pluses? Big Mama's return to action after his 7 month layoff.
Stoke: Simonsen , Griffin , Higginbotham , Cort , Lawrence (Soares 75) ,Tonge ,Whelan ,Pugh ,Arismendi ,Kitson (Sidibe ,55 ) ,Sanli (Moult ,82)
Subs not used Wedderburn,Lund,Parton,Connor,
Saturday, October 24, 2009
THE BOOKIES NEVER EXPECTED THIS !!
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0 V STOKE CITY 1
The pundits are agreed that Tottenham will finish in the top six this season.They have the quality players,an excellent management team,the pedigree.
By comparison Stoke are the mongrels,a collection of others misfits,who play one dimensional football.
Today's match will provide much food for thought,and may produce a revision of those ideas.It was certainly Stoke's day.Kranjar hit a post,and Beattie completed a miraculous clearance from under his own bar from a Crouch goalbound header.
Our first away win of the season at a ground where we never really coped last season, and others have been hammered out of sight this.A clean sheet against a prolific expensive forward line.A first win at White Hart Lane since the heady days of Greenhoff and Hudson nearly 40 years ago.
All this in front of England boss Fabio Capello.
Stoke,starting with two changes from last week with Wilkinson in for suspended Huth,and Simonsen a late substitute for flued up Sorensen,spent more time than was comfortable in their own last third in the early stages.Simonsen pulled off some fine saves,as the Stoke team grew in confidence,certainly defensively if not in terms of goal threat.
The second half pattern was similar with Stoke holding their own.It was not until the 86th minute that the deadlock was broken.Ricardo Fuller forced his way to the by-line.His cutback was met by substitute Glen Whelan,matching his fine effort for the Republic of Ireland recently,his right foot shot curling into the top corner of the net.
Stoke survived - despite 5 minutes of added on time- to record a momentous win.This keeps them in 9th spot.
After the match Tony Pulis was clearly a happy man.....but evidently a man with his feet firmly on the ground...already looking forward to a difficult derby match against Wolves next Saturday.
The pundits are agreed that Tottenham will finish in the top six this season.They have the quality players,an excellent management team,the pedigree.
By comparison Stoke are the mongrels,a collection of others misfits,who play one dimensional football.
Today's match will provide much food for thought,and may produce a revision of those ideas.It was certainly Stoke's day.Kranjar hit a post,and Beattie completed a miraculous clearance from under his own bar from a Crouch goalbound header.
Our first away win of the season at a ground where we never really coped last season, and others have been hammered out of sight this.A clean sheet against a prolific expensive forward line.A first win at White Hart Lane since the heady days of Greenhoff and Hudson nearly 40 years ago.
All this in front of England boss Fabio Capello.
Stoke,starting with two changes from last week with Wilkinson in for suspended Huth,and Simonsen a late substitute for flued up Sorensen,spent more time than was comfortable in their own last third in the early stages.Simonsen pulled off some fine saves,as the Stoke team grew in confidence,certainly defensively if not in terms of goal threat.
The second half pattern was similar with Stoke holding their own.It was not until the 86th minute that the deadlock was broken.Ricardo Fuller forced his way to the by-line.His cutback was met by substitute Glen Whelan,matching his fine effort for the Republic of Ireland recently,his right foot shot curling into the top corner of the net.
Stoke survived - despite 5 minutes of added on time- to record a momentous win.This keeps them in 9th spot.
After the match Tony Pulis was clearly a happy man.....but evidently a man with his feet firmly on the ground...already looking forward to a difficult derby match against Wolves next Saturday.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
FULLER MAGIC BURSTS HAMMERS BUBBLE.
STOKE CITY FC 2 WEST HAM UNITED 1
Ricado Fuller was at his impish best today.He was full of it,backheels,flicks,and just so powerful running.West Ham simply could not handle him at times.He made both goals.He may not be scoring himself at the moment,but he came really close on several occasions.
Stoke got off to a cracking start with James Beattie getting his first goal(11min) of the season from the penalty spot,after some neat football by the Potters cut through the visitors defence.Fuller received the ball,moving way from goal toward the corner flag.His backheel unhinged the Hammers defence putting Etherington in on goal.He was tripped in the area as he was about to shoot.
West Ham pressed for an equaliser,forcing Stoke back into their own half .From a corner Upson netted (34 mins).It looked as though Sorensen was coming for the ball,but then backtracked leaving the tall defender with an easy finish.
The second half saw serious attacking intent by West Ham,but with very little end product - hardly any shots on goal,although Shawcross brilliantly blocked an attempted effort by Cole when he looked odds on to score.
Stoke attacked on the break,and as the half progressed the visitors found Ricardo Fuller particularly hard to handle.He got to the by-line on a number of occasions cutting the ball across Green's goalmouth.Some of these efforts were wayward,but one was converted by the inrushing James Beattie for his second,and the winning goal(69 mins).Fuller skinned Upson on the right,shot across goal,Green at full stretch pushed the ball away only for it to be bundled into the net,along with the covering fullback.
On the upside a result we just about deserved,3 points ,and 9th spot in the Prem table,but make no mistake WHU were no mugs.On the down side we could be losing the services of Huth for a while if the FA decide that he did indeed cuff Upson.
Ricado Fuller was at his impish best today.He was full of it,backheels,flicks,and just so powerful running.West Ham simply could not handle him at times.He made both goals.He may not be scoring himself at the moment,but he came really close on several occasions.
Stoke got off to a cracking start with James Beattie getting his first goal(11min) of the season from the penalty spot,after some neat football by the Potters cut through the visitors defence.Fuller received the ball,moving way from goal toward the corner flag.His backheel unhinged the Hammers defence putting Etherington in on goal.He was tripped in the area as he was about to shoot.
West Ham pressed for an equaliser,forcing Stoke back into their own half .From a corner Upson netted (34 mins).It looked as though Sorensen was coming for the ball,but then backtracked leaving the tall defender with an easy finish.
The second half saw serious attacking intent by West Ham,but with very little end product - hardly any shots on goal,although Shawcross brilliantly blocked an attempted effort by Cole when he looked odds on to score.
Stoke attacked on the break,and as the half progressed the visitors found Ricardo Fuller particularly hard to handle.He got to the by-line on a number of occasions cutting the ball across Green's goalmouth.Some of these efforts were wayward,but one was converted by the inrushing James Beattie for his second,and the winning goal(69 mins).Fuller skinned Upson on the right,shot across goal,Green at full stretch pushed the ball away only for it to be bundled into the net,along with the covering fullback.
On the upside a result we just about deserved,3 points ,and 9th spot in the Prem table,but make no mistake WHU were no mugs.On the down side we could be losing the services of Huth for a while if the FA decide that he did indeed cuff Upson.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
SUPER HUTH NETS!
EVERTON 1 V STOKE CITY FC 1
Stoke regained their composure after the disaapointment against Man Utd,taking a welll deserved point from Everton,a marked improvement on last years effort at Goodison.
They took the lead on 50 mins when Huth rose majestically to head Etherington's corner kick into the home net.Unfortunately within 5 minutes Donny Osman scored with a long range shot to equalise.
Stoke put in a strong performance which augers well for the future.
Stoke regained their composure after the disaapointment against Man Utd,taking a welll deserved point from Everton,a marked improvement on last years effort at Goodison.
They took the lead on 50 mins when Huth rose majestically to head Etherington's corner kick into the home net.Unfortunately within 5 minutes Donny Osman scored with a long range shot to equalise.
Stoke put in a strong performance which augers well for the future.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
REMEMBER THAT SUMMER RUMOUR ABOUT SCHOLES COMING TO STOKE.....
STOKE CITY FC 0 MANCHESTER UTD 2
.......well he did today,and to my mind put on a footballing masterclass,pulling United's strings throughout the game:short passes,long passes,changing the point of attack in an instant,all with an economy of effort.
Stoke's performance was not what we have come to expect,seemed somewhat disjointed,and lacked the bite that we had shown against Chelsea two weeks earlier.It must not be forgotten that United are a leading world -never mind European - side,yet we held them for 60 minutes,albeit penned back in our own half for much of that time.
United did not really make their superiority tell until Giggs came on for Nani (55mins).On 62 minutes Fletcher fed the ball to Giggs on the left,and his simple ball across the Stoke goal provided Berbatov with a tap in for the opener.Gigg's took a rightside free kick on 77minutes,the ball being headed home by O'Shea.
Game over....that was it.
.......well he did today,and to my mind put on a footballing masterclass,pulling United's strings throughout the game:short passes,long passes,changing the point of attack in an instant,all with an economy of effort.
Stoke's performance was not what we have come to expect,seemed somewhat disjointed,and lacked the bite that we had shown against Chelsea two weeks earlier.It must not be forgotten that United are a leading world -never mind European - side,yet we held them for 60 minutes,albeit penned back in our own half for much of that time.
United did not really make their superiority tell until Giggs came on for Nani (55mins).On 62 minutes Fletcher fed the ball to Giggs on the left,and his simple ball across the Stoke goal provided Berbatov with a tap in for the opener.Gigg's took a rightside free kick on 77minutes,the ball being headed home by O'Shea.
Game over....that was it.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
WOW.........
STOKE CITY FC 4 BLACKPOOL 3
Much changed Stoke ambled through the first half shipping a goal to Vaughan(40) just before halftime.A second goal by Taylor(47) conceded just after the break finally woke the Potters from their collective slumber.
Tuncay won a penalty chance to reduce the arrears but Liam Lawrence was unable to convert(55).With Beattie and Tuncay on the pitch I wonder why he was the preferred taker.
With subs Fuller and Etherington coming on Stoke livened up getting themselves back into the game through Higginbotham's headed goal(75) from an Etherington corner from the left.Next from a Lawrence right side corner a clever goal by Etherington himself(78),running across The Seasiders keeper to flick home Tuncay's excellent header on into the six yard box.
Stoke took the lead through Fuller(80).Again Tuncay was involved taking a pass from Fuller,and despite it being behind him he poked a return ball which the striker netted with aplomb.Within a minute Burgess brought Blackpool back on terms.
In 5 minutes of added on time Griffin,Captain on the night, struck a powerful winner....4 goals in the last quarter of the game. Wow!!
Apart from the win,and progresssing to the 4th Round,the really big plus was the prominent part played by Tuncay.In addition to winning the penalty he provided assists for the Etherington and Fuller goals.Expect to see him feature against Manchester United on Saturday.The only negative, Ricardo Fuller having to limp off with a groin strain shortly before the end of the match.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
TWO POINTS LOST?
BOLTON 1 STOKE CITY FC 1
Stoke were the better of the two teams in what was overall a poor game.That said they looked to be heading to all three points until Collins inexplicable foul conceded a late penalty which Taylor converted for the home side.
Ricketts seemed to be going nowhere down the edge of the penalty box,when instead of shepherding him away Collins put his studs in just below the Bolton man's knee.On another day this could well have been a sending off offence,it certainly did not look pretty.I wonder exactly what was going through Collin's mind at the time,but whatever,the nett effect was to rob the Potter's of a deserved victory.
Dave Kitson's renaissance in a Stoke shirt continues.His confident 53rd minute strike,his third in four games,looked to have set us up for another win,but c'est la vie it was not to be!
At the death heroics from the Bolton keeper Jääskeläinen - amid chaos in the Bolton six yard box caused by a Delap throw in - prevented Liam Lawrence from tapping in to restore our lead.
So 8 points from 6 games and 10th in the Prem table.....Man U next in town !
Stoke:
Sorensen ,Huth ,AbdoulayeFaye ,Collins ,Shawcross ,Whelan ,Delap ,Etherington (Lawrence ,63 ) ,Whitehead ,Kitson (Pugh ,78 ) ,Fuller (Beattie ,89)
Subs not used Tuncay,Higginbotham,Cort,Simonsen,
Stoke were the better of the two teams in what was overall a poor game.That said they looked to be heading to all three points until Collins inexplicable foul conceded a late penalty which Taylor converted for the home side.
Ricketts seemed to be going nowhere down the edge of the penalty box,when instead of shepherding him away Collins put his studs in just below the Bolton man's knee.On another day this could well have been a sending off offence,it certainly did not look pretty.I wonder exactly what was going through Collin's mind at the time,but whatever,the nett effect was to rob the Potter's of a deserved victory.
Dave Kitson's renaissance in a Stoke shirt continues.His confident 53rd minute strike,his third in four games,looked to have set us up for another win,but c'est la vie it was not to be!
At the death heroics from the Bolton keeper Jääskeläinen - amid chaos in the Bolton six yard box caused by a Delap throw in - prevented Liam Lawrence from tapping in to restore our lead.
So 8 points from 6 games and 10th in the Prem table.....Man U next in town !
Stoke:
Sorensen ,Huth ,AbdoulayeFaye ,Collins ,Shawcross ,Whelan ,Delap ,Etherington (Lawrence ,63 ) ,Whitehead ,Kitson (Pugh ,78 ) ,Fuller (Beattie ,89)
Subs not used Tuncay,Higginbotham,Cort,Simonsen,
Saturday, September 12, 2009
AIN'T FOOTBALL HARD TO TAKE SOMETIMES.....
STOKE CITY FC 1 CHELSEA 2 (AFTER EXTRA TIME !!)
Chelsea are without doubt a class outfit.Last season they hardly broke sweat as they cruised to a two goal win.Today was very much different as they had to work really hard for the points.Fair enough Stoke rode their luck at times,but their efforts deserved a point!
Stoke took a fortunate first half lead as Abdy Faye headed home with Cech in no man's land.Prodigious Stoke effort kept the visitors at arms length until Drogba crashed home an equaliser deep into the 8 minutes of injury time.
The second half resembled the Alamo with constant Chelsea attacks being rebuffed by a valiant Stoke rearguard.Home resistance finally cracked in the third minute of added on time,Malouda netting the all important winning goal.
Tony Pulis's master plan was undone by injuries and the sun.His Land of the Giants strategy worked well in the first half.Midfielders Delap,Whelan,and Whitehead,ahead of a backline of Wilkinson ,Huth,Faye,Shawcross,and Collins,with Kitson and Beattie up front,closed the visitors down quickly.With little space to operate in they were more than a little flustered for a period in the first half.
Injuries to Sorensen and Beattie used up two of our subs,as well as generating substantial added on time.Toward the end of the game on a very hot day with some of the players visibly wilting Chelsea were able to bring on three not inconsiderable pairs of fresh legs Essien,Anelka,and Belleti,to Stoke's one in Tuncay.So despite Stoke's defensive resistance there was that feeling that Chelsea would convert one of the many chances that were creating against the fast tiring Potters.
Major disappointment then but how far we have come in twelve months....this time pushing the prospective Prem and maybe European Champions to noticeably up their game to take the points.
Proud of you lads.....
Chelsea are without doubt a class outfit.Last season they hardly broke sweat as they cruised to a two goal win.Today was very much different as they had to work really hard for the points.Fair enough Stoke rode their luck at times,but their efforts deserved a point!
Stoke took a fortunate first half lead as Abdy Faye headed home with Cech in no man's land.Prodigious Stoke effort kept the visitors at arms length until Drogba crashed home an equaliser deep into the 8 minutes of injury time.
The second half resembled the Alamo with constant Chelsea attacks being rebuffed by a valiant Stoke rearguard.Home resistance finally cracked in the third minute of added on time,Malouda netting the all important winning goal.
Tony Pulis's master plan was undone by injuries and the sun.His Land of the Giants strategy worked well in the first half.Midfielders Delap,Whelan,and Whitehead,ahead of a backline of Wilkinson ,Huth,Faye,Shawcross,and Collins,with Kitson and Beattie up front,closed the visitors down quickly.With little space to operate in they were more than a little flustered for a period in the first half.
Injuries to Sorensen and Beattie used up two of our subs,as well as generating substantial added on time.Toward the end of the game on a very hot day with some of the players visibly wilting Chelsea were able to bring on three not inconsiderable pairs of fresh legs Essien,Anelka,and Belleti,to Stoke's one in Tuncay.So despite Stoke's defensive resistance there was that feeling that Chelsea would convert one of the many chances that were creating against the fast tiring Potters.
Major disappointment then but how far we have come in twelve months....this time pushing the prospective Prem and maybe European Champions to noticeably up their game to take the points.
Proud of you lads.....
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