Oops!You go on holiday...you cross your fingers....you try not to worry...El Kenno provides the news you've been hoping to hear at half time...everything going Stoke's way.
Make a brew...take in the Spanish view...life's sweet!
What a difference 45 minutes can make...Stoke swizzed,Brizzle get back on track,WBA recover.......
Put all that to one side...great holiday...thanks Ken and Chris....now refreshed to get behind the lads as they take us to the promised land!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Stalemate! Stoke City FC 1 Blackpool 1
Stoke continued their run of indifferent form against The Seasiders,yet still managed to stay on top of the table as Bristol City slipped to defeat at Cardiff.
Stoke's performance was once again a reflection of a mixture of adverse circumstances.The weather,swirling wind (though less so than against Burnley) plus snow flurries,played its part in making accurate football difficult, the team lost its real attacking cutting edge with the absence through suspension of Fuller and Lawrence at the same time,and injuries during the match ( Diao early on to a hamstring problem, and Cort in the second half to a calf muscle strain) caused upset in various already new pairings both in attack and defence.
Early exchanges were even but Blackpool took the lead on 37 minutes.Cort got no real distance on his headed clearance of a right wing cross.The ball was brought down,played to Burgess,whose shot looked a comfortable save for Nash,but was deflected past the keeper and into the net by Cort.Stoke's play was somewhat disjointed and they did not really look like getting a goal back as the half closed.
A positive start to the second half with pressure brought to bear on the Blackpool goal.A left side corner from Gallagher
was headed back into a ruck of players by Burgess.Cort (second from right) reacted to put the ball into the net off a Blackpool defender (47 mins).
Stoke tried really hard as the game progressed but all they had to show for it was a clearance off the Blackpool goal line .
Again on the balance of play a match Stoke could have won but didn’t! To their credit Blackpool themselves could have come away with something more than the one point .
Although they remain top Stoke will need to recapture some real form if they are not to end up in the play off pack. Hull certainly look to be a real threat at the moment and with the momentum to overhaul the Potters.A win at Sheffield Wednesday next week is imperative,but will not be easy as the home side battle to escape the relegation places.
When he came on Bothroyd showed some neat touches. One of his crosses from the right deserved a goal finish, and a long range shot brought a good save from the visiting keeper.
Still looking on the bright side, still hanging in there…and who knows WHERE WE’LL END UP? Six games to go….
GO…ARRN STOKE!
Stoke's performance was once again a reflection of a mixture of adverse circumstances.The weather,swirling wind (though less so than against Burnley) plus snow flurries,played its part in making accurate football difficult, the team lost its real attacking cutting edge with the absence through suspension of Fuller and Lawrence at the same time,and injuries during the match ( Diao early on to a hamstring problem, and Cort in the second half to a calf muscle strain) caused upset in various already new pairings both in attack and defence.
Early exchanges were even but Blackpool took the lead on 37 minutes.Cort got no real distance on his headed clearance of a right wing cross.The ball was brought down,played to Burgess,whose shot looked a comfortable save for Nash,but was deflected past the keeper and into the net by Cort.Stoke's play was somewhat disjointed and they did not really look like getting a goal back as the half closed.
A positive start to the second half with pressure brought to bear on the Blackpool goal.A left side corner from Gallagher
was headed back into a ruck of players by Burgess.Cort (second from right) reacted to put the ball into the net off a Blackpool defender (47 mins).
Stoke tried really hard as the game progressed but all they had to show for it was a clearance off the Blackpool goal line .
Again on the balance of play a match Stoke could have won but didn’t! To their credit Blackpool themselves could have come away with something more than the one point .
Although they remain top Stoke will need to recapture some real form if they are not to end up in the play off pack. Hull certainly look to be a real threat at the moment and with the momentum to overhaul the Potters.A win at Sheffield Wednesday next week is imperative,but will not be easy as the home side battle to escape the relegation places.
When he came on Bothroyd showed some neat touches. One of his crosses from the right deserved a goal finish, and a long range shot brought a good save from the visiting keeper.
Still looking on the bright side, still hanging in there…and who knows WHERE WE’LL END UP? Six games to go….
GO…ARRN STOKE!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
We Are Top The League...Again!! Watford 0 Stoke City FC 0
Before today's game we would have taken a 0-0 draw and a point against a strong Watford team.In the end we got one,and it pushed us back to the top of the table.
Much of this match was about referee Rob Styles showboating.It only took him 20minutes or so to get his red card out.Fortunately this time it was not one of our players dismissed,rather the recently departed Stokie John Eustace,Hornets captain for the day.His challenge on Cresswell was mistimed and high,meriting a booking rather than a sending off.
Five other names went into his book,two of which are significant for The Potters run in fixtures.Both Fuller and Shawcross have now accumulated 10 bookings and will miss the next two games.For next week's game against Blackpool they will be missing,and of course join Liam Lawrence who still has one match left of his suspension.Team selection against Blackpool could be interesting.
Stoke started with three centrebacks and three forwards,but after halftime reverted to 4-4-2.Despite Watford being reduced to 10 men Stoke were still second best and under pressure for much of the time.
A further Styles contribution was to award the home side a penalty for an innocuous ball to hand involving Andy Griffin.Stoke have Carlo Nash to thank for pulling off a save from Henderson.Given his penalty failure in another high profile goalless encounter against Bristol City the other night one would imagine a change in penalty taker is on the cards at Vicarage Road.
With both Bristol City and WBA losing,Stoke's result is useful.7 matches to go then and still all to play for....the Manager's view was that his team was nervous today.....as he said it is to be hoped that the nervousness was caused by the card happy ref rather than their position at the top!!
Much of this match was about referee Rob Styles showboating.It only took him 20minutes or so to get his red card out.Fortunately this time it was not one of our players dismissed,rather the recently departed Stokie John Eustace,Hornets captain for the day.His challenge on Cresswell was mistimed and high,meriting a booking rather than a sending off.
Five other names went into his book,two of which are significant for The Potters run in fixtures.Both Fuller and Shawcross have now accumulated 10 bookings and will miss the next two games.For next week's game against Blackpool they will be missing,and of course join Liam Lawrence who still has one match left of his suspension.Team selection against Blackpool could be interesting.
Stoke started with three centrebacks and three forwards,but after halftime reverted to 4-4-2.Despite Watford being reduced to 10 men Stoke were still second best and under pressure for much of the time.
A further Styles contribution was to award the home side a penalty for an innocuous ball to hand involving Andy Griffin.Stoke have Carlo Nash to thank for pulling off a save from Henderson.Given his penalty failure in another high profile goalless encounter against Bristol City the other night one would imagine a change in penalty taker is on the cards at Vicarage Road.
With both Bristol City and WBA losing,Stoke's result is useful.7 matches to go then and still all to play for....the Manager's view was that his team was nervous today.....as he said it is to be hoped that the nervousness was caused by the card happy ref rather than their position at the top!!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Jay Bothroyd ...On Months Loan At Stoke City FC.
Stoke have signed 25 years old Bothroyd from Wolves on a months loan.He's scored 4 goals this season but recently has not figured in Mick McCarthy's plans at Molineux.
Tony Pulis could well push him straight into the team against Watford if Mama Sidibe is still troubled by his damaged hamstring
Vincent Pericard has moved out to Southampton on a month's loan.
Tony Pulis could well push him straight into the team against Watford if Mama Sidibe is still troubled by his damaged hamstring
Vincent Pericard has moved out to Southampton on a month's loan.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Stoke Stay In Second Spot! Norwich City 0 Stoke City FC 1
Stoke established a solid defensive platform as the first half progressed.The closest they came to scoring was when the crossbar denied a Dickinson effort as the half closed. This followed a weak Cort header straight at keeper Marshall from a Lawrence corner on 26 minutes,which was saved easily. Neither side was able to establish prolonged superiority from the possession they enjoyed.
The Potters emerged from the break and put the home side under more concerted pressure.Diao was replaced by Fuller who, perhaps surprisingly, started the match on the bench.Stoke took the lead on 58 minutes when Mama Sidibe got his head to a Delap long throw,flicking the ball on and into the net.Only his second goal of the season but potentially a very important one.
Ryan Shawcross replaced Cort on 81 minutes,and Gallagher took Sidibe's place on 84 minutes.Throughout the second half Stoke were the stronger team without being able to give themselves the second goal to consolidate their winning position.
A deserved win on balance.Riggott again looked a very shrewd acquisition cool calm and collected at the heart of the defence,with Carlo Nash behind him dealing effectively whenever he was called upon,particularly with two fine second half saves from Cureton.
With Bristol City drawing against Watford Stoke continue in second place.Bristol lead the table on 67 points,with Stoke on 66 points.Both have played 38 games.
The Potters emerged from the break and put the home side under more concerted pressure.Diao was replaced by Fuller who, perhaps surprisingly, started the match on the bench.Stoke took the lead on 58 minutes when Mama Sidibe got his head to a Delap long throw,flicking the ball on and into the net.Only his second goal of the season but potentially a very important one.
Ryan Shawcross replaced Cort on 81 minutes,and Gallagher took Sidibe's place on 84 minutes.Throughout the second half Stoke were the stronger team without being able to give themselves the second goal to consolidate their winning position.
A deserved win on balance.Riggott again looked a very shrewd acquisition cool calm and collected at the heart of the defence,with Carlo Nash behind him dealing effectively whenever he was called upon,particularly with two fine second half saves from Cureton.
With Bristol City drawing against Watford Stoke continue in second place.Bristol lead the table on 67 points,with Stoke on 66 points.Both have played 38 games.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
The Potters Turn It Round. Stoke City FC1 Burnley1
Windy,wet weather at the Brit!Certainly conditions that had a very decided effect on the quality of football.A lack lustre performance from Stoke, but at least the result put an end to their losing run.
It could be argued that Stoke gifted Burnley their opener as early as the third minute.With play and players all compressed into an area on the Seddon Stand side of the pitch,Pugh just in his own half for some reason produced a nondescript header back toward his own goal.This reached Akinbiyi,whose deft back flick set James O'Connor free to slide the ball across to Lafferty,coming in from the left.He beat on loan keeper Nash at the near post,the ball seeming to go under his body.
Shortly after that Stoke had a major let off when Akinbiyi in front of goal made a complete hash of an excellent chance to put the visitors two up.(Interviewed after the match Tony Pulis said he would be buying the player a drink!)As well,because Stoke never really looked as though they would be able to turn round a two goal deficit.
Stoke's defence,given the tricky conditions,looked pretty steady.Middlesborough loanee Riggott had an excellent game,coming in for Shawcross,who spent the afternoon on the bench.Burnley only had a couple of chances for the rest of the game.The best one fell to substitute Andy Cole in the second half.Coming in from the left he hammered the ball from close range.Carlo Nash saved instinctively at his near post,pushing the ball away for a corner.
Stoke pushed on forward substitutes in the latter part of the second half.Gallagher replaced the largely ineffective Sidibe,and Parkin came on for Diao ( still not the player we remember from last season,but not a bad contribution today)as Stoke went for broke.Earlier in the half Fuller looked to have been wrestled to the ground in the Burnley penalty area,but referee Webb - strangely inconsistent on the day in many of his decisions - was having none of it.However a genuine head of steam generated by the Potters in the last few minutes,it must be said for the first time in the game,saw Cresswell chasing through on goal.A Burnley defender gave him the slightest of touches,down he went,and Webb awarded a penalty.
Liam Lawrence held his nerve,placing his kick to the keepers left.The ball hit the post,and was on its way out,where,fortunately it hit the back of Kiraly's head (maybe back!)and rebounded into the net(90 min).
Stoke still had three extra minutes to try for the winner.Gallagher - as at QPR making a real difference to the team effort- managed two cracking shots from the edge of the box.He was particularly unlucky with the second one which looked all the way a goal until it was deflected away unwittingly for a corner off the shoulder of a Burnley defender.
A difficult game then but with a positive outcome.Difficult weather overcome,losing run ended,a point gained rather than three more lost...and with it a return to second spot in the table.Realistically Stoke need 4 points from their next two games,both away, if they are to maintain their challenge for automatic promotion...
It could be argued that Stoke gifted Burnley their opener as early as the third minute.With play and players all compressed into an area on the Seddon Stand side of the pitch,Pugh just in his own half for some reason produced a nondescript header back toward his own goal.This reached Akinbiyi,whose deft back flick set James O'Connor free to slide the ball across to Lafferty,coming in from the left.He beat on loan keeper Nash at the near post,the ball seeming to go under his body.
Shortly after that Stoke had a major let off when Akinbiyi in front of goal made a complete hash of an excellent chance to put the visitors two up.(Interviewed after the match Tony Pulis said he would be buying the player a drink!)As well,because Stoke never really looked as though they would be able to turn round a two goal deficit.
Stoke's defence,given the tricky conditions,looked pretty steady.Middlesborough loanee Riggott had an excellent game,coming in for Shawcross,who spent the afternoon on the bench.Burnley only had a couple of chances for the rest of the game.The best one fell to substitute Andy Cole in the second half.Coming in from the left he hammered the ball from close range.Carlo Nash saved instinctively at his near post,pushing the ball away for a corner.
Stoke pushed on forward substitutes in the latter part of the second half.Gallagher replaced the largely ineffective Sidibe,and Parkin came on for Diao ( still not the player we remember from last season,but not a bad contribution today)as Stoke went for broke.Earlier in the half Fuller looked to have been wrestled to the ground in the Burnley penalty area,but referee Webb - strangely inconsistent on the day in many of his decisions - was having none of it.However a genuine head of steam generated by the Potters in the last few minutes,it must be said for the first time in the game,saw Cresswell chasing through on goal.A Burnley defender gave him the slightest of touches,down he went,and Webb awarded a penalty.
Liam Lawrence held his nerve,placing his kick to the keepers left.The ball hit the post,and was on its way out,where,fortunately it hit the back of Kiraly's head (maybe back!)and rebounded into the net(90 min).
Stoke still had three extra minutes to try for the winner.Gallagher - as at QPR making a real difference to the team effort- managed two cracking shots from the edge of the box.He was particularly unlucky with the second one which looked all the way a goal until it was deflected away unwittingly for a corner off the shoulder of a Burnley defender.
A difficult game then but with a positive outcome.Difficult weather overcome,losing run ended,a point gained rather than three more lost...and with it a return to second spot in the table.Realistically Stoke need 4 points from their next two games,both away, if they are to maintain their challenge for automatic promotion...
Sunday, March 02, 2008
D'Urso Guns Down Griffin ! QPR 3 Stoke City FC 0
Stoke may have approached this game with some optimism,but in the end it proved to be a miserable afternoon for The Potters.Literally seconds after hitting the Rangers bar they went a goal down on 12 minutes to a magnificent strike from Leigertwood which Simonsen,even at full stretch, had no chance with.The same player added anotherin the 21st minute.The ball was played into the Stoke penalty area in front of goal.Despite a challenge from two Stoke defenders Vine managed to get the ball back to the advancing Leigertwood who volleyed the ball sweetly into the net.Stoke huffed and puffed but did not look the real threat of recent weeks as they were harried out of their stride by the home side.
Experienced referee Andy d'Urso put paid to any real chance of a Stoke recovery when he gave captain Andy Griffin his marching orders,a quite unjustified sending off as Griffin won the ball cleanly,and did not play the man.Refs seem to be on some red card feeding frenzy at the moment and none of them wishes to be left out....this particular decision was appalling....where was the Assistant ref?He would have had a clear view of the injustice!
Even with 10 men,just before half time Ricardo Fuller,challenged by 2 defenders got his shot away and was unlucky to see his shot come away off a post with the keeper beaten.
Two goals would have been a tall order for the 10 men,but Buzsaky killed the game off in the 56th minute with the 3rd goal,scored ,it must be said, from an offside position.Another disastrous miss by the officials!
Stoke made personnel changes in the second half to better cope in the circumstances.Wilkinson replaced Sidibe,Gallagher came on for Diao, and Buxton for Lawrence.Whilst defensively Stoke looked more solid, up front Ricardo Fuller ploughed a lone furrow.His performance was admirable.Singlehandedly he forced 5 corners out of the home side,although unfortunately on the day these came to nothing.
Gallager,in a midfield roll did his best to make things happen with some intelligent touches.Whelan had a fierce goalbound effort turned aside by the home keeper.Liam Lawrence did not seem quite himself...is he carrying an injury?
A stout second half effort from Stoke in difficult circumstances, but essentially a lost cause.Our goal difference must now be more of a concern than it was.Position wise we are still second in the table,but unless we are mighty lucky that will change on Tuesday/Wednesday when teams around us play their game in hand.
Tony Pulis will have identified what needs to be done ahead of Saturday's game at home to Burnley.The training ground will be a busy place this week.
Experienced referee Andy d'Urso put paid to any real chance of a Stoke recovery when he gave captain Andy Griffin his marching orders,a quite unjustified sending off as Griffin won the ball cleanly,and did not play the man.Refs seem to be on some red card feeding frenzy at the moment and none of them wishes to be left out....this particular decision was appalling....where was the Assistant ref?He would have had a clear view of the injustice!
Even with 10 men,just before half time Ricardo Fuller,challenged by 2 defenders got his shot away and was unlucky to see his shot come away off a post with the keeper beaten.
Two goals would have been a tall order for the 10 men,but Buzsaky killed the game off in the 56th minute with the 3rd goal,scored ,it must be said, from an offside position.Another disastrous miss by the officials!
Stoke made personnel changes in the second half to better cope in the circumstances.Wilkinson replaced Sidibe,Gallagher came on for Diao, and Buxton for Lawrence.Whilst defensively Stoke looked more solid, up front Ricardo Fuller ploughed a lone furrow.His performance was admirable.Singlehandedly he forced 5 corners out of the home side,although unfortunately on the day these came to nothing.
Gallager,in a midfield roll did his best to make things happen with some intelligent touches.Whelan had a fierce goalbound effort turned aside by the home keeper.Liam Lawrence did not seem quite himself...is he carrying an injury?
A stout second half effort from Stoke in difficult circumstances, but essentially a lost cause.Our goal difference must now be more of a concern than it was.Position wise we are still second in the table,but unless we are mighty lucky that will change on Tuesday/Wednesday when teams around us play their game in hand.
Tony Pulis will have identified what needs to be done ahead of Saturday's game at home to Burnley.The training ground will be a busy place this week.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Not Stoke's Night! Preston NE 2 Stoke CityFC 0
Stoke-top of the table against third from bottom Preston- found themselves 2-0 down just after the half hour mark,Chaplow (22,31) getting both goals for the home side.Stoke had plenty of chances themselves but were unable to convert.Ryan Shawcross hit the post with one effort,and headed wide with another.Shortly before half time Ricardo Fuller was upended by Chilvers in the penalty area.The referee refused the penalty appeal from Stoke,and for good measure gave Fuller a talking to.Plenty of chances then but no finish from Stoke.
Just after the restart Delap should have scored,but squared the ball to Lawrence who also failed to cash in almost trying to walk the ball into the Preston net.Either player could have scored with a firm shot, and with just one man covering the goal line. On 53 minutes Lonergan saved well from Ricardo Fuller one on one.Three minutes from time he repeated the feat pushing Fuller's shot from 6 yards around the post and away to safety.
Throughout the match the Stoke defence was strangely out of sorts with Ryan Shawcross uncharacteristically shakey.Another worrying aspect of the game was that Leon Cort was injured,and taken off on a stretcher,with every indication that it might be a serious long term problem.Wilkinson,back from his recent hernia operation took his place at the centre of the defence.
Stoke racked up the bookings,Lawrence moving onto 9,Whelan 10,so increasingly the squad is threatened with decimation not only by injury but also by suspension.
Referee Oliver really did not seem to be up to speed throughout the game.Certainly he did Stoke no favours,maybe not a 'homer',but he offered Stoke little protection against a Preston side determined to take no prisoners.
Not Stoke's night then, with enough chances to have won the game.Hopefully they can get this game out of their system before they take on QPR away.The Potters bounced back from the Charlton disappointment...no reason why they should not bounce back from this evening of frustration.
Just after the restart Delap should have scored,but squared the ball to Lawrence who also failed to cash in almost trying to walk the ball into the Preston net.Either player could have scored with a firm shot, and with just one man covering the goal line. On 53 minutes Lonergan saved well from Ricardo Fuller one on one.Three minutes from time he repeated the feat pushing Fuller's shot from 6 yards around the post and away to safety.
Throughout the match the Stoke defence was strangely out of sorts with Ryan Shawcross uncharacteristically shakey.Another worrying aspect of the game was that Leon Cort was injured,and taken off on a stretcher,with every indication that it might be a serious long term problem.Wilkinson,back from his recent hernia operation took his place at the centre of the defence.
Stoke racked up the bookings,Lawrence moving onto 9,Whelan 10,so increasingly the squad is threatened with decimation not only by injury but also by suspension.
Referee Oliver really did not seem to be up to speed throughout the game.Certainly he did Stoke no favours,maybe not a 'homer',but he offered Stoke little protection against a Preston side determined to take no prisoners.
Not Stoke's night then, with enough chances to have won the game.Hopefully they can get this game out of their system before they take on QPR away.The Potters bounced back from the Charlton disappointment...no reason why they should not bounce back from this evening of frustration.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Well Worth A Read !!
Tim Killeen's "Exciting Times".....great read about Stoke City FC......
"But for me, the most invigorating story in football at present is the rise of my beloved Stoke City to the summit of the Championship; who after years of suffering & degradation find themselves on the verge of top flight football once again. And I have never been more excited." .......
Take a look...its well worth it
LINK
"But for me, the most invigorating story in football at present is the rise of my beloved Stoke City to the summit of the Championship; who after years of suffering & degradation find themselves on the verge of top flight football once again. And I have never been more excited." .......
Take a look...its well worth it
LINK
Today's Papers!...(And Liam Lawrence)
Following on from ITV's Championship highlights yesterday,which carried an excellent item on Liam Lawrence (family man as well as footballer!)it didn't matter which paper you picked up today the reporting of Stoke's match was pretty much the same in its focus....Liam has been here before red and white striped shirts,good team,great team spirit, and he hopes the outcome will be the same....Stoke reaching the Premiership as Sunderland did 3 years ago!(So do we.)
The overall impression, certainly from the TV footage,was of a sensible young man with his feet very much on the ground,not getting carried away by any hype (now that the journo's have rediscovered Stoke)and a pretty good sense of humour ( was it Ronaldo he said he had to chase down the tunnel to get a shirt and autograph?).
He's clearly hoping that the new Republic of Ireland coach will notice his form.It was good of The Sun this morning to provide Trapetoni with a little map showing exactly where Stoke is....should be handy,but not just for him!
The overall impression, certainly from the TV footage,was of a sensible young man with his feet very much on the ground,not getting carried away by any hype (now that the journo's have rediscovered Stoke)and a pretty good sense of humour ( was it Ronaldo he said he had to chase down the tunnel to get a shirt and autograph?).
He's clearly hoping that the new Republic of Ireland coach will notice his form.It was good of The Sun this morning to provide Trapetoni with a little map showing exactly where Stoke is....should be handy,but not just for him!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Still There! Stoke City FC 1 Ipswich Town 0
Stoke maintained their position at the top of The Championship,seeing off a serious challenge from the the Tractor Boys in front of an appreciative and supportive season's highest crowd of almost 23,500!
Ipswich had chances,notably falling to Lee, before Stoke took the lead just before halftime.Again it was Liam Lawrence doing the honours.He latched onto a defensive clearance as he came in from the right wing.He was well outside the box on the right as he struck the ball,which flew straight and true into the top left corner of the visitors net.Goalkeeper Bywater had absolutely no chance of getting a hand on the ball.Sponsors Man of the Match,Liam now has 13 goals for the season,one behind Ricardo Fuller.
While there were a few scares this match had nothing like the feel of the previous two home games.You always had the feeling that Stoke were going to come out with the right result.
With each match he plays Whelan looks like a real steal from Sheffield Wednesday.A quality midfielder well able to break up attacks but also able to play a perceptive defence splitting through ball to his forwards.He had a great game.
Bearing in mind the acquisition of Fulop from Sunderland attention focussed on Simonsen's performance....one flap at a cross,one fumble, and one fine save!For the most part then a steady performance.
Top then at least until Tuesday night....and the team clearly determined to hold on to what they have!
Ipswich had chances,notably falling to Lee, before Stoke took the lead just before halftime.Again it was Liam Lawrence doing the honours.He latched onto a defensive clearance as he came in from the right wing.He was well outside the box on the right as he struck the ball,which flew straight and true into the top left corner of the visitors net.Goalkeeper Bywater had absolutely no chance of getting a hand on the ball.Sponsors Man of the Match,Liam now has 13 goals for the season,one behind Ricardo Fuller.
While there were a few scares this match had nothing like the feel of the previous two home games.You always had the feeling that Stoke were going to come out with the right result.
With each match he plays Whelan looks like a real steal from Sheffield Wednesday.A quality midfielder well able to break up attacks but also able to play a perceptive defence splitting through ball to his forwards.He had a great game.
Bearing in mind the acquisition of Fulop from Sunderland attention focussed on Simonsen's performance....one flap at a cross,one fumble, and one fine save!For the most part then a steady performance.
Top then at least until Tuesday night....and the team clearly determined to hold on to what they have!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Stoke Go Top! Stoke City FC3 Scunthorpe United 2
(Courtesy of Sky Sports)
At 7pm the 'voice of Radio Stoke Sport',Nigel Johnson wondered whether this match against the bottom club was a potential banana skin for The Potters.By 8.08pm,these appeared to be sage words indeed with Stoke already two goals down,and looking strangely disjointed as the visitors buzzed around purposefully.
Ex Stokie Martin Paterson - whose 13 goals this season following his summer move to Scunthorpe from the Potteries have pushed his value up near the £1m mark - opened the scoring in the 7th minute,running onto a pass over the Stoke defence from the right,beating Simonsen's despairing dive to his right.Things got worse on 23 minutes when Hobbs ran in late and unchallenged to meet a left wing corner,heading strongly into the Stoke net.
Tuesday's match against Southampton was very much a game of two contrasting halves.We were left hoping at half time that this game would be too!To begin with it looked like not a great deal had changed,but then on 53 minutes Stoke got themselves back into the game.A long Delap throw in from the right was headed on by a central defender as he attempted to clear.The ball reached Liam Lawrence who was unmarked on the left edge of the six yard box.His left foot shot found the back of the net to the great relief of the home crowd.With Cresswell on for the strangely lethargic Diao Stoke increased the tempo of their play and began to move the ball about the field to great effect.
In the 63rd minute Fuller was set free down the right.He chased the ball - which at one moment looked like a lost cause - managed to hook it back from the byline to the centre of goal.Cresswell took a touch before shooting goalwards.The ball ricocheted off a defender,and against the goal post on its way into the net.
Another piece of Fuller magic set up Stoke's winner four minutes later.Receiving the ball on the left he spun away from a defender and accelerated toward the byline.Leaving three defenders some what bewildered as to how he had got past them along the line. Fuller cut a short sharp pass to the incoming Lawrence who had no trouble scoring his twelfth goal of the season.
A brilliant night's entertainment witnessed by 20979 fans,most of them deliriously happy as their team went to the top of the league!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Mama Nets His First Of The Season! Stoke City FC 3 Southampton 2
Stoke eased into a comfortable 3-0 lead in the first half.They looked assured,playing some good passing football.The opener, an own goal on 27minutes,resulted from a period of sustained Stoke pressure on the Southampton goal,and a goal mouth scramble caused by a Lawrence corner.Shawcross scored the second (35),rising to head in Lawrence's corner from the right.Mama Sidibe scored his first goal of the season,heading the ball into the net in an exceptionally busy goalmouth a minute from halftime.Another successful right side corner from Lawrence.
To borrow a phrase from rugby commentator Brian Moore "were the team given oranges or sedatives at half time?".Something in the tea probably.Stoke made a ponderous/sluggish start to the second half and were punished for it as Southampton upped the tempo of their game. Stern John scored his first a minute after the restart and added another goal on 54 minutes.Stoke were on the ropes for some 20 minutes with the ball zipping around their penalty area as the visitors went for an equaliser.
Several very near misses and two fine saves from Simonsen later The Potters emerged from their slumbers and took charge of the game again.Whilst at no stage looking quite as threatening as they had done in the first half they saw the game out for the 3-2 win.
Nevertheless another excellent 3 points,which with WBA drawing,were sufficient to move Stoke into 3rd place behind Watford and Bristol City.Ricardo Fuller was booked and Liam Lawrence sustained an injury to his arm/wrist/hand (can't be sure which !)which he seemed to carry awkwardly for the remainder of the match.Hopefully there is no break...Lawrence is so central to many of the good things that the team are doing at the moment that any injury which might take him out of the team could have serious consequences for us.This evenings assists - corners in all three cases - produced Powell's own goal,Shawcross's header, and Mama's 'starter for ten'.
Manager Tony Pulis was happy with the result....for full interview follow the link below.
Link Radio Stoke...Nigel Johnson with Tony pulis post match.
Virgin Media Free (Video)Match Highlights Link
50 great photos from the match (running as slideshow) at the bottom of the article "This One's For You"
To borrow a phrase from rugby commentator Brian Moore "were the team given oranges or sedatives at half time?".Something in the tea probably.Stoke made a ponderous/sluggish start to the second half and were punished for it as Southampton upped the tempo of their game. Stern John scored his first a minute after the restart and added another goal on 54 minutes.Stoke were on the ropes for some 20 minutes with the ball zipping around their penalty area as the visitors went for an equaliser.
Several very near misses and two fine saves from Simonsen later The Potters emerged from their slumbers and took charge of the game again.Whilst at no stage looking quite as threatening as they had done in the first half they saw the game out for the 3-2 win.
Nevertheless another excellent 3 points,which with WBA drawing,were sufficient to move Stoke into 3rd place behind Watford and Bristol City.Ricardo Fuller was booked and Liam Lawrence sustained an injury to his arm/wrist/hand (can't be sure which !)which he seemed to carry awkwardly for the remainder of the match.Hopefully there is no break...Lawrence is so central to many of the good things that the team are doing at the moment that any injury which might take him out of the team could have serious consequences for us.This evenings assists - corners in all three cases - produced Powell's own goal,Shawcross's header, and Mama's 'starter for ten'.
Manager Tony Pulis was happy with the result....for full interview follow the link below.
Link Radio Stoke...Nigel Johnson with Tony pulis post match.
Virgin Media Free (Video)Match Highlights Link
50 great photos from the match (running as slideshow) at the bottom of the article "This One's For You"
Saturday, February 09, 2008
53 Points....We're Not Going Down This Season! Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Stoke City FC 4
Stoke took an early lead in this game,suffered the double blow of the home team equalising on half time(Edwards 45) and then going ahead immediately after the break (Keogh 47).Yet such is the belief in this Stoke side that they not only fought back to equalise themselves, but also netted two more goals to confirm their win,and continued 4th spot in the league table.
Delap opened the scoring in the 4th minute,when Sidibe took advantage of a sloppy defensive back pass rounded the keeper,and played the ball in from the byline for him to nod the ball home.
Stoke's second goal on 49 minutes resulted from a searching ball out of defence by Delap for Whelan to turn astutely and pass to his right, setting Liam Lawrence free on goal.He shot confidently past keeper Hennessey - his 10th goal of the season!
End to end open football was the order of the day,as it had been in the first half,with Stoke giving as good as they got.On 74 minutes Pugh won a corner on the left.Lawrence's corner kick was headed on goal by Sidibe - a thorn in Wolves' side throughout the afternoon - pushed onto the bar by the keeper.It rebounded and fell kindly to Cort who prodded the ball into the net.
Stoke did not start the match with Fuller, a late arrival back from a midweek international.He came on as sub for Gallagher in the 64th minute.Half an hour later he produced his party piece...a one man break from his own half (this time only a few yards outside his own penalty box) - how many of these runs have we seen this season? - culminating in a confident powerful cross shot from the right across the keeper into the net.
A comprehensive win in the end,in a match which could at times have gone either way.
Stoke now find themselves 2 points of top spot and 1 off second place,with three consecutive home games to come in the next week or so.Very much all to play for...and looking good!
Delap opened the scoring in the 4th minute,when Sidibe took advantage of a sloppy defensive back pass rounded the keeper,and played the ball in from the byline for him to nod the ball home.
Stoke's second goal on 49 minutes resulted from a searching ball out of defence by Delap for Whelan to turn astutely and pass to his right, setting Liam Lawrence free on goal.He shot confidently past keeper Hennessey - his 10th goal of the season!
End to end open football was the order of the day,as it had been in the first half,with Stoke giving as good as they got.On 74 minutes Pugh won a corner on the left.Lawrence's corner kick was headed on goal by Sidibe - a thorn in Wolves' side throughout the afternoon - pushed onto the bar by the keeper.It rebounded and fell kindly to Cort who prodded the ball into the net.
Stoke did not start the match with Fuller, a late arrival back from a midweek international.He came on as sub for Gallagher in the 64th minute.Half an hour later he produced his party piece...a one man break from his own half (this time only a few yards outside his own penalty box) - how many of these runs have we seen this season? - culminating in a confident powerful cross shot from the right across the keeper into the net.
A comprehensive win in the end,in a match which could at times have gone either way.Stoke now find themselves 2 points of top spot and 1 off second place,with three consecutive home games to come in the next week or so.Very much all to play for...and looking good!
Monday, February 04, 2008
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