El Kenno's been wondering about this....so have I....todays news from the Beeb
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Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Black Cats Flattened
STOKE CITY FC 1 SUNDERLAND 0
Stoke took hold of the Black Cats by the scruff of the neck at the outset and never let go.They played the game throughout at a high tempo,and looked quite the most threatening.Sunderland striker Cisse, who had looked so dangerous against Newcatle United at the weekend,got absolutely no change out of Stoke's solid central pairing of Abdy Faye (surely another Pulis' superb transfer steal) and a very mature and confident looking Ryan Shawcross.Indeed the whole back four looked pretty dependable.I can recall only two shots all night from Sunderland,and one save of note from Sorensen as he had to dive full length to get a hand to halftime sub Kenwyn Jones cross shot which was otherwise destined for the net.
Stoke pushed higher up the field in this game than they have been able to do of late,the pressure on the visitors bringing its reward by way of a bag full of opportunities,particularly in the all action second half.Plenty of dangerous Delap throw ins and some superb probing touches from Soares (and Tongue too when he came on) opened up the visitors.We are not talking route one football here,Stoke played some excellent football.Soares seems to be building a particular understanding with Fuller,which looks as though it could become increasingly profitable as the season progresses.
The winning goal,when it came in the 73rd minute,was from a Delap left side throw in.It arrowed into the visitors six yard box from where it was headed powerfully into the net by Fuller.A few minutes later Stoke could have put the result beyond doubt when a beautiful through ball from Tongue found Fuller on a diagonal run.His right foot shot beat the keeper but came back out off the base of the post.
This,above all,was a splendid team performance.The three points are particularly welcome as they lift us up to 15th spot in the table,psychologically important ahead of Saturday's home game against Arsenal.The crowd of 27,000 once again generated a fantastic atmosphere.
Arsenal...bring 'em on...
Stoke took hold of the Black Cats by the scruff of the neck at the outset and never let go.They played the game throughout at a high tempo,and looked quite the most threatening.Sunderland striker Cisse, who had looked so dangerous against Newcatle United at the weekend,got absolutely no change out of Stoke's solid central pairing of Abdy Faye (surely another Pulis' superb transfer steal) and a very mature and confident looking Ryan Shawcross.Indeed the whole back four looked pretty dependable.I can recall only two shots all night from Sunderland,and one save of note from Sorensen as he had to dive full length to get a hand to halftime sub Kenwyn Jones cross shot which was otherwise destined for the net.
Stoke pushed higher up the field in this game than they have been able to do of late,the pressure on the visitors bringing its reward by way of a bag full of opportunities,particularly in the all action second half.Plenty of dangerous Delap throw ins and some superb probing touches from Soares (and Tongue too when he came on) opened up the visitors.We are not talking route one football here,Stoke played some excellent football.Soares seems to be building a particular understanding with Fuller,which looks as though it could become increasingly profitable as the season progresses.
The winning goal,when it came in the 73rd minute,was from a Delap left side throw in.It arrowed into the visitors six yard box from where it was headed powerfully into the net by Fuller.A few minutes later Stoke could have put the result beyond doubt when a beautiful through ball from Tongue found Fuller on a diagonal run.His right foot shot beat the keeper but came back out off the base of the post.
This,above all,was a splendid team performance.The three points are particularly welcome as they lift us up to 15th spot in the table,psychologically important ahead of Saturday's home game against Arsenal.The crowd of 27,000 once again generated a fantastic atmosphere.
Arsenal...bring 'em on...
Sunday, October 26, 2008
£32 Million Buys You A Robinho Hat-trick And Three Points
MANCHESTER CITY 3 STOKE CITY FC 0
The match set off at a fast tempo with Man City looking the more penetrative.£32million Brazilian striker Robinho showed his value to his team,netting in the 14th minute, from Evans pass
Stoke, however did not look out of their depth,coming into the game increasingly as the half progressed.Ricardo Fuller (pic)
had a tremendous shot turned away by the diving Hart after a defensive mistake.On 35 minutes a Soares free kick from the right was headed firmly on goal by Ryan Shawcross.Keeper Hart managed to fumble the ball away for a corner.At the close o the half a sweet Stoke passing move concluded with Sidibe putting Fuller through on goal,but unfortunately he blazed carelessly over the bar.
Robinho put the home side further ahead 2 minutes after the break,following sub Sturridge's surging run and slotted pass. On 58 minutes Sorensen finger tipped away another effort from Robinho.Stoke,again to their credit,were doing their best to get back into the game.Salif Diao put in a powerful shot from distance which was tipped over the bar by Hart.On 63 minutes Sorensen made a save from Robinho from point blank range following Wright-Phillips clever reverse pass.
Fuller then managed one of his trademark goal line wriggles,cutting the ball back to Soares who saw his shot from close in go to the wrong side of the goal post.Sidibe was replaced by sub Kitson.Fuller won a corner in the 68th minute,which saw Soares kick headed just over the bar by Kitson.On 71 minutes Sturridge again turned provider ,cutting the ball across the Stoke penalty area to the incoming Robinho,who had little trouble completing his hat-trick,placing the ball inside Sorensen's left hand post.
Three minutes later it could have got worse when Wright-Phillips was played onside by Griffin.One on one, his effort was smothered by the excellent Sorensen.As Manchester went through the motions Stoke themselves had one or two chances. Kitson had a header saved on the line,and Whelan,on for Diao,shot over the bar.Right at the death there was still time for Man City to add to their tally,but Ireland,in on goal and with only the keeper to beat,put the ball over the bar.
So on to next week with Sunderland then Arsenal at The Brit.....
The match set off at a fast tempo with Man City looking the more penetrative.£32million Brazilian striker Robinho showed his value to his team,netting in the 14th minute, from Evans pass
Stoke, however did not look out of their depth,coming into the game increasingly as the half progressed.Ricardo Fuller (pic)
had a tremendous shot turned away by the diving Hart after a defensive mistake.On 35 minutes a Soares free kick from the right was headed firmly on goal by Ryan Shawcross.Keeper Hart managed to fumble the ball away for a corner.At the close o the half a sweet Stoke passing move concluded with Sidibe putting Fuller through on goal,but unfortunately he blazed carelessly over the bar.Robinho put the home side further ahead 2 minutes after the break,following sub Sturridge's surging run and slotted pass. On 58 minutes Sorensen finger tipped away another effort from Robinho.Stoke,again to their credit,were doing their best to get back into the game.Salif Diao put in a powerful shot from distance which was tipped over the bar by Hart.On 63 minutes Sorensen made a save from Robinho from point blank range following Wright-Phillips clever reverse pass.
Fuller then managed one of his trademark goal line wriggles,cutting the ball back to Soares who saw his shot from close in go to the wrong side of the goal post.Sidibe was replaced by sub Kitson.Fuller won a corner in the 68th minute,which saw Soares kick headed just over the bar by Kitson.On 71 minutes Sturridge again turned provider ,cutting the ball across the Stoke penalty area to the incoming Robinho,who had little trouble completing his hat-trick,placing the ball inside Sorensen's left hand post.
Three minutes later it could have got worse when Wright-Phillips was played onside by Griffin.One on one, his effort was smothered by the excellent Sorensen.As Manchester went through the motions Stoke themselves had one or two chances. Kitson had a header saved on the line,and Whelan,on for Diao,shot over the bar.Right at the death there was still time for Man City to add to their tally,but Ireland,in on goal and with only the keeper to beat,put the ball over the bar.
So on to next week with Sunderland then Arsenal at The Brit.....
Just In Time!
For a change things worked out for us....three points won against Spurs.....
Ramos out...Harry Rednapp in....now if we'ed been playing them today.....????
Ramos out...Harry Rednapp in....now if we'ed been playing them today.....????
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Dave Kitson
Am I one of the few(or the many maybe?) who just can't believe the attitude some Stokies are showing to Kitson.A few weeks back a punter on Radio Stoke's Praise and Grumble was suggesting that we'ed found our-as he called it-'scapegoat'.At the time I couldn't get my head around that notion....from a Stokie!Why would he/we need a scapegoat for goodness sake?
A good few people have been making a lot Kitson's -as they see it - lack of effort,moving their argument on to the notion that he brings nothing to the team,and that therefore he is a waste of money.Others suggest he shows poor attitude when he is subbed.Others are hearing him booed for his trouble,but most fair minded people are hearing nothing of the sort.
Dave Kitson at £5.5million is an expensive (and given his record) valuable asset for The Potters.It is in our interests to get behind the man,not undermine his confidence further,if he is to deliver the goals we know he can score at Premiership level:certainly the goals that we need to survive.
I get the impression that Kitson himself is feeling frustrated,but it would only take a goal to turn things round.But let's go back to the facts.
Yes hasn't scored yet,but the service from wide positions he might have been expecting, when he was signed, never materialised despite the club's best efforts to bring players in who could have provided that service.Tom Soares,on Sunday's evidence,could prove to be one player capable of unlocking Kitson's talent. Another,Mama Sidibe,a revelation this season (was he a scapegoat once?),has made some superbly dangerous crosses in from the wing,the best of which Kitson missed only by inches as he slid in (with Rory adding the scoring touch for our second against Spurs).
Position wise he is only 8 games in to adjusting to TP's style of play.Personally I think he has been making a pretty good job of it.There was plenty of evidence of skilful holding and link up play on Sunday,with some deft flicks and penetrating balls. Kitson it was who put Tom Soares through to draw the penalty for our first goal.
When he was subbed he was definitely less than pleased,but I saw nothing more than disappointment in his face as he left the pitch for the bench.As for blanking the manager,and not acknowledging his replacement,as somehave alleged,close study of the Sky coverage reveals Tony Pulis deeply involved in giving last moment instructions to Ricardo Fuller!!
Let's get behind the man,it makes sense.
A good few people have been making a lot Kitson's -as they see it - lack of effort,moving their argument on to the notion that he brings nothing to the team,and that therefore he is a waste of money.Others suggest he shows poor attitude when he is subbed.Others are hearing him booed for his trouble,but most fair minded people are hearing nothing of the sort.
Dave Kitson at £5.5million is an expensive (and given his record) valuable asset for The Potters.It is in our interests to get behind the man,not undermine his confidence further,if he is to deliver the goals we know he can score at Premiership level:certainly the goals that we need to survive.
I get the impression that Kitson himself is feeling frustrated,but it would only take a goal to turn things round.But let's go back to the facts.
Yes hasn't scored yet,but the service from wide positions he might have been expecting, when he was signed, never materialised despite the club's best efforts to bring players in who could have provided that service.Tom Soares,on Sunday's evidence,could prove to be one player capable of unlocking Kitson's talent. Another,Mama Sidibe,a revelation this season (was he a scapegoat once?),has made some superbly dangerous crosses in from the wing,the best of which Kitson missed only by inches as he slid in (with Rory adding the scoring touch for our second against Spurs).
Position wise he is only 8 games in to adjusting to TP's style of play.Personally I think he has been making a pretty good job of it.There was plenty of evidence of skilful holding and link up play on Sunday,with some deft flicks and penetrating balls. Kitson it was who put Tom Soares through to draw the penalty for our first goal.
When he was subbed he was definitely less than pleased,but I saw nothing more than disappointment in his face as he left the pitch for the bench.As for blanking the manager,and not acknowledging his replacement,as somehave alleged,close study of the Sky coverage reveals Tony Pulis deeply involved in giving last moment instructions to Ricardo Fuller!!
Let's get behind the man,it makes sense.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Pulis' Thumb Pulls Out A Plum....Tom Soares Shines In The Second Half
STOKE CITY FC 2 TOTTENHAM 1
Stoke won an eventful game against big spending Spurs.Stoke made a bright start,pressing the visitors back into their own half.On17 minutes Soares was put in on goal,only to be brought down inside the box by Bale.Bale was shown the red card.A cool Danny Higginbotham, faced with a ball which kept moving off the spot in the wind,netted confidently at the fourth attempt (19mins).
Stoke the proceeded to take their foot off the gas, and it was no real surprise when a suspiciously offside looking Bent poked the ball under Sorensen into the Stoke net to equalise.Stoke's lead had lasted just 6 minutes.
Stoke clearly responded to the Manager's halftime ministrations and livened up to boss most of the play.Lovely interplay set Sidibe free on the right.His dangerous low cross across the face of goal just eluded Kitson's dive but reached Rory Delap who joyously ran it into the net to put Stoke in the lead again.
Kitson was replaced by Ricardo Fuller,and the whole Stoke team went up a gear against the tiring Spurs.Fuller missed a penalty,hitting both posts in the process,and also hit the bar.Delap hit the bar too in an exciting finale.
Stoke won an eventful game against big spending Spurs.Stoke made a bright start,pressing the visitors back into their own half.On17 minutes Soares was put in on goal,only to be brought down inside the box by Bale.Bale was shown the red card.A cool Danny Higginbotham, faced with a ball which kept moving off the spot in the wind,netted confidently at the fourth attempt (19mins).
Stoke the proceeded to take their foot off the gas, and it was no real surprise when a suspiciously offside looking Bent poked the ball under Sorensen into the Stoke net to equalise.Stoke's lead had lasted just 6 minutes.
Stoke clearly responded to the Manager's halftime ministrations and livened up to boss most of the play.Lovely interplay set Sidibe free on the right.His dangerous low cross across the face of goal just eluded Kitson's dive but reached Rory Delap who joyously ran it into the net to put Stoke in the lead again.
Kitson was replaced by Ricardo Fuller,and the whole Stoke team went up a gear against the tiring Spurs.Fuller missed a penalty,hitting both posts in the process,and also hit the bar.Delap hit the bar too in an exciting finale.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Stoke Fall To Portsmouth's England Strikers.
PORTSMOUTH 2 STOKE CITY FC 1
Stoke fell behind to one of PeterCrouch's trademark bicycle kicks on 25 minutes,having had chances themselves as early as the 10th minute to take the lead.
To their credit The Potters got back on terms immediately after the break when Ricardo Fuller headed in.Unfortunately rather than consolidate the ball was gifted back to Portsmouth.From one opportunity Defoe hit the Stoke post, but he made no mistake with the next,putting the ball in the Stoke net from some 20 yards out.
Stoke fell behind to one of PeterCrouch's trademark bicycle kicks on 25 minutes,having had chances themselves as early as the 10th minute to take the lead.
To their credit The Potters got back on terms immediately after the break when Ricardo Fuller headed in.Unfortunately rather than consolidate the ball was gifted back to Portsmouth.From one opportunity Defoe hit the Stoke post, but he made no mistake with the next,putting the ball in the Stoke net from some 20 yards out.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
PA System At The Brit
Any improvements noticeable at the reserve match last night?
For us in The Seddon Stand Saturday's announcements initially seemed as though they were filtered through three socks, to be followed by a disembodied voice from a drain....before we were switched off altogether!
To a degree I share Tony Scholes disappointment....but there seemed to be a lack of urgency.
Managed to work out that the guest (in the shirt and on the pitch) was a boxer.Dissappointly I'm still not sure who the guys were who were applauded as they walked around the running track.
For us in The Seddon Stand Saturday's announcements initially seemed as though they were filtered through three socks, to be followed by a disembodied voice from a drain....before we were switched off altogether!
To a degree I share Tony Scholes disappointment....but there seemed to be a lack of urgency.
Managed to work out that the guest (in the shirt and on the pitch) was a boxer.Dissappointly I'm still not sure who the guys were who were applauded as they walked around the running track.
Popping Up In The Strangest Places
Click Pic To Enlarge
At the end of the Tory conference yesterday....a small demonstration from Unite.The blog item suggests that the group aren't aware of the extent to which hedge fund operators fund ALL the political parties....then in the Comments section we get dragged into it!!
Clapham Commoner said...
I have bet ten pounds Stoke City will be relegated from the premiership.
Therefore, if they are relegated, Stoke City fans should blame me.
That is - of course - if like your average leftist you can't distinguish between the messenger and the message.
October 2, 2008 10:24 AM
Clapham Common?.....Cheeky or what?
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