Stoke earned another away point today at the Walker Stadium.They bossed the first half and took a deserved lead through a tremendous shot from Ricardo Fuller on 15 minutes,his 4th goal of the season.
Leicester caught The Potters cold at the beginning of the second half when substitute Fryatt equalised in the 47th minute.The goal provided the home side with encouragement and they took the upper hand for the remainder of the game....whether Stoke were forced back or deliberately dropped deep is a moot point!
Stoke had chances here and there to come away with the 3 points,the best of which which was denied them by the referee in the closing minutes when Lawrence was impeded in the penalty area but no penalty was forthcoming.
Nevertheless on a day when the Championship results were awash with draws this result leaves Stoke in 5th place in the table,still just 2 points off second spot and 4 points off the top!
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Saturday, September 22, 2007
"Pulis,Pulis...What's The Score?" Stoke City 3 Plymouth Argyle 2 !
....was the chant from some in the 12,533 crowd at The Britannia Stadium as the Potter's went 2-1 down to the industrious visitors from Devon.
Whether those fans intention was to lift the team is difficult to gauge,but whatever it has to be said the home players responded extremely well to the challenge that faced them.
Ricardo Fuller as ever was central to Stoke's goal threat.Just has he did last season he continues to manufacture chances for others to squander -so often open goals if someone was either sharp enough or following up to score them.Today his hustle, bustle,and trickery produced some measure of chaos in the Plymouth goal mouth.He diverted Matteo's ball into the Plymouth penalty area for Lawrence to cross,causing Seip to head into his own net for the first Stoke goal.
In the second half from a Sidibe head on from Delap's long throw in he deflected the ball to incoming Liam Lawrence who hit the ball into the net from six yards for Stoke's equaliser on 66 minutes.
Fuller capped off a very positive personal performance lobbing Wright's lofted pass over the Plymouth keeper, as he came out, to score the winner in the 73rd minute.
As he did in the Barnsley game for the last 20 minutes or so,Sidibe proved to be a thorn in the side for the visitors.To the already happy knack of winning the ball,and unsettling defenders,he has added an evident ability to beat a player with quick tight turns and rapid acceleration away,most times retaining the ball.
As has been the case recently there has been much heated argument about Stoke's performance and whether the team is good enough.Today they were a goal up on 9 minutes,Stoke pressure resulting in Seip putting into his own net.Despite their busy play Plymouth did not really look like scoring.
They did ,however,start the second half brightly pushing Stoke back.It was no surprise when their equaliser came in the 52nd minute with Seip heading in at the far post from an inswinging corner.
Plymouth's second goal on 59 minutes resulted from a mix up between central defender Zakuani and goalkeeper Simmonsen with the loose ball being put into the net by Fallon.
This win lifts Stoke deservedly into 5th place in the Championship,on 12 points,after 7 games.
Whether those fans intention was to lift the team is difficult to gauge,but whatever it has to be said the home players responded extremely well to the challenge that faced them.
Ricardo Fuller as ever was central to Stoke's goal threat.Just has he did last season he continues to manufacture chances for others to squander -so often open goals if someone was either sharp enough or following up to score them.Today his hustle, bustle,and trickery produced some measure of chaos in the Plymouth goal mouth.He diverted Matteo's ball into the Plymouth penalty area for Lawrence to cross,causing Seip to head into his own net for the first Stoke goal.
In the second half from a Sidibe head on from Delap's long throw in he deflected the ball to incoming Liam Lawrence who hit the ball into the net from six yards for Stoke's equaliser on 66 minutes.
Fuller capped off a very positive personal performance lobbing Wright's lofted pass over the Plymouth keeper, as he came out, to score the winner in the 73rd minute.
As he did in the Barnsley game for the last 20 minutes or so,Sidibe proved to be a thorn in the side for the visitors.To the already happy knack of winning the ball,and unsettling defenders,he has added an evident ability to beat a player with quick tight turns and rapid acceleration away,most times retaining the ball.
As has been the case recently there has been much heated argument about Stoke's performance and whether the team is good enough.Today they were a goal up on 9 minutes,Stoke pressure resulting in Seip putting into his own net.Despite their busy play Plymouth did not really look like scoring.
They did ,however,start the second half brightly pushing Stoke back.It was no surprise when their equaliser came in the 52nd minute with Seip heading in at the far post from an inswinging corner.
Plymouth's second goal on 59 minutes resulted from a mix up between central defender Zakuani and goalkeeper Simmonsen with the loose ball being put into the net by Fallon.
This win lifts Stoke deservedly into 5th place in the Championship,on 12 points,after 7 games.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Jody Craddock Returns To Wolverhampton Wanderers
Loanee Craddock has been recalled by Wolves....you could say no real surprise there!Craddock had a very sound game for Stoke against Barnsley on Tuesday night,whilst Wolves were losing by a single goal at home to Jay Jay Okotcha inspired Hull City.They obviously need him!
Where this leaves Stoke will be interesting,as will the management's response.In his post match interview the other night Tony Pulis seemed to imply that he expected no new incoming loan players before Saturday's match against Plymouth.Maybe things will now change,although time is very short.
Where this leaves Stoke will be interesting,as will the management's response.In his post match interview the other night Tony Pulis seemed to imply that he expected no new incoming loan players before Saturday's match against Plymouth.Maybe things will now change,although time is very short.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Stoke City 0 Barnsley 0
Both teams had plenty of chances to win this game,but that neither did was down entirely to desperately poor finishing.
Barnsley largely bossed the first half, through virtually complete control of the midfield,and the promptings of tricky winger Campbell-Ryce.Stoke's defence was fully extended on numerous occasions.Chances created were wasted by some wild finishing with the ball's direction, trajectory and height,as one fan commented,having more in common with rugby union than soccer!
In the second half Stoke looked rather more positive,especially so once Sidibe replaced Parkin for the last 20minutes or so,The Potters began to exert more pressure on the visitors.There were numerous exciting melees in the visitors penalty area,but despite the opportunities no one was able to put the ball in the net.Once or twice the scenes were like something from the Alamo,Stoke shots being deflected away from goal by diving Barnsley players,determined to get some part of their bodies in the way.
Two clearcut Stoke shots on goal from Matteo and Wright brought fine full length saves from Barnsley keeper Muller.Fuller,who once again ploughed a lone furrow throughout the match,hit the top of the visitor's bar with one shot.Cresswell struck an inviting chance over the bar.
Starting the evening there was much talk of a win taking Stoke into the top six.In the event they now lie in 10th spot.
Barnsley largely bossed the first half, through virtually complete control of the midfield,and the promptings of tricky winger Campbell-Ryce.Stoke's defence was fully extended on numerous occasions.Chances created were wasted by some wild finishing with the ball's direction, trajectory and height,as one fan commented,having more in common with rugby union than soccer!
In the second half Stoke looked rather more positive,especially so once Sidibe replaced Parkin for the last 20minutes or so,The Potters began to exert more pressure on the visitors.There were numerous exciting melees in the visitors penalty area,but despite the opportunities no one was able to put the ball in the net.Once or twice the scenes were like something from the Alamo,Stoke shots being deflected away from goal by diving Barnsley players,determined to get some part of their bodies in the way.
Two clearcut Stoke shots on goal from Matteo and Wright brought fine full length saves from Barnsley keeper Muller.Fuller,who once again ploughed a lone furrow throughout the match,hit the top of the visitor's bar with one shot.Cresswell struck an inviting chance over the bar.
Starting the evening there was much talk of a win taking Stoke into the top six.In the event they now lie in 10th spot.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Hull City 1 Stoke City 1
A good hard earned away point which moved The Potters up to 7th in the league table.Rory Delap provided a goal just before halftime,following up when Fuller had a shot saved by the Hull keeper.
Hull salvaged a point when Livermore headed in a ball from Folan,three minutes from the end of the match
Hull salvaged a point when Livermore headed in a ball from Folan,three minutes from the end of the match
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Reggaeboy Phillips First Outing For Stoke City FC
Demar Phillips took the field yesterday in a reserve fixture against Bradford,a 1-0 win,with the goal coming at the death from a Lewis Buxton header.
Have a look at the Sentinel report which gives the Jamaican star several positive mentions.
Sentinel Link
Have a look at the Sentinel report which gives the Jamaican star several positive mentions.
Sentinel Link
Loan Signings At Stoke City?
Perhaps a little disappointingly not much has happened to date this week,apart from Jody Craddock's loan from Wolves being extended by 1 month, but with a 24 hour recall clause.
There is a piece in The Sentinel today which looks for all the world like Simmo trying to drum up trade!!
Sentinel Link
There is a piece in The Sentinel today which looks for all the world like Simmo trying to drum up trade!!
Sentinel Link
Friday, September 07, 2007
Loan Transfers Into Stoke City
There has been some criticism this week that Stoke have not finalised any loan deals.Apparently League rules stipulate that one week should elapse after the transfer deadline day before clubs can begin to make loan arrangements.Players such as Salif Diao who are free agents can sign at any time however.
Stoke have been linked with a 23 years old Sheffield Wednesday midfielder,and of course there is still Salif himself,who ,if he is bothered about playing at all,still seems to be waiting to see if any offer comes along which represents an improvement on the one that Stoke tabled (which his agent described as fair....as time has passed since that statement I have wondered exactly which definition of fair he might have had in mind!)
Next week there will almost certainly be some activity,with more hopefully in the weeks that follow!!!!
Stoke have been linked with a 23 years old Sheffield Wednesday midfielder,and of course there is still Salif himself,who ,if he is bothered about playing at all,still seems to be waiting to see if any offer comes along which represents an improvement on the one that Stoke tabled (which his agent described as fair....as time has passed since that statement I have wondered exactly which definition of fair he might have had in mind!)
Next week there will almost certainly be some activity,with more hopefully in the weeks that follow!!!!
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Demar Phillips....Reggaeboyz Website
Some favourable comments....reggaeboyz link and fleeting glimpses from Jamaica's match against Chile... Phillips is No.12
As we know Phillips came strongly recommended by fellow Jamaican international Fuller.
I love Pulis'comment on the official Stoke City FC website... "For Ricardo to give anyone an ounce of praise, they must have something about them."
As we know Phillips came strongly recommended by fellow Jamaican international Fuller.
I love Pulis'comment on the official Stoke City FC website... "For Ricardo to give anyone an ounce of praise, they must have something about them."
Local Derby Ends All Square ...Stoke City 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
The Stoke side had a decidedly makeshift look about it.At the start you would have taken a point,by the end it could well have been - and a little disappointing not to have been - three!
The back four were fairly solid.Zakuarni, as last season, looked steady.Dickinson similarly did not give a great deal away.The central pairing of Hill and Shawcross was impressive.Hill deserved his Man of the Match award from the sponsors.For his age Shawcross has to be one of the best loan signings.Not a lot got past him yesterday.
The midfield four put in a great deal of effort covering.Delap and Captain Matteo lack pace but worked really hard for the team..Cresswell and Lawrence did some good work outside them.
Upfront Ricardo Fuller looked threatening,but because of poor service,not on as many occasions as usual.
The key difference between our win against Charlton and this draw was the performance of Sidibe.The Stoke system depends on him winning aerial balls,and also sometimes carrying the ball forward.Against Charlton he was superb,largely because the opposition were unable or unwilling to take him on physically.
Last week at Southampton Sidibe took a battering from ex-Stokie Wayne Thomas.Yesterday Wolves centreback Darren Ward took him on and came out on top, thus largely snuffing out the link to Fuller.
Any chances to win the game? Stoke had the best ones.During the first half Shawcross played the ball back to Fuller on the edge of the Wolves box.After a few steps right (see top photo) he hit a stinging shot,which struck Wolves defender Breen,cleared the keeper,and unfortunately for Stoke,the bar too.Just before the halftime whistle Fuller got away from chasing defenders down the right,cut the ball across to Lawrence who struck the ball on target,but straight at goalkeeper Hennessey.
He was to do this again with a chance in the second half.Right at the death Delap broke through into the Wolves penalty area,partially evaded the goalkeeper,but fell over in an attempt to clip the ball toward an empty net.
The back four were fairly solid.Zakuarni, as last season, looked steady.Dickinson similarly did not give a great deal away.The central pairing of Hill and Shawcross was impressive.Hill deserved his Man of the Match award from the sponsors.For his age Shawcross has to be one of the best loan signings.Not a lot got past him yesterday.
The midfield four put in a great deal of effort covering.Delap and Captain Matteo lack pace but worked really hard for the team..Cresswell and Lawrence did some good work outside them.
Upfront Ricardo Fuller looked threatening,but because of poor service,not on as many occasions as usual.
The key difference between our win against Charlton and this draw was the performance of Sidibe.The Stoke system depends on him winning aerial balls,and also sometimes carrying the ball forward.Against Charlton he was superb,largely because the opposition were unable or unwilling to take him on physically.
Last week at Southampton Sidibe took a battering from ex-Stokie Wayne Thomas.Yesterday Wolves centreback Darren Ward took him on and came out on top, thus largely snuffing out the link to Fuller.
Any chances to win the game? Stoke had the best ones.During the first half Shawcross played the ball back to Fuller on the edge of the Wolves box.After a few steps right (see top photo) he hit a stinging shot,which struck Wolves defender Breen,cleared the keeper,and unfortunately for Stoke,the bar too.Just before the halftime whistle Fuller got away from chasing defenders down the right,cut the ball across to Lawrence who struck the ball on target,but straight at goalkeeper Hennessey.
He was to do this again with a chance in the second half.Right at the death Delap broke through into the Wolves penalty area,partially evaded the goalkeeper,but fell over in an attempt to clip the ball toward an empty net.
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