BFTG - Stokies

[AthleticoSpizz]

Odd lineup with a lack of physicality up front against a big defence and the goal aside barely threatened first half, however we seemed comfortable.

Second half we were shocking. Stood off them, the midfield let them walk straight through. Got lucky at the end when Meite and Baldock showed a bit of aggression up front and caused them some issues.

Still in trouble not improving quickly enough.

think PC explained post-match, his predicament regarding his team selection and its pecking order, happy with a point off of a very strong Sjoke

[leon]

Odd lineup with a lack of physicality up front against a big defence and the goal aside barely threatened first half, however we seemed comfortable.

Second half we were shocking. Stood off them, the midfield let them walk straight through. Got lucky at the end when Meite and Baldock showed a bit of aggression up front and caused them some issues.

Still in trouble not improving quickly enough.

think PC explained post-match, his predicament regarding his team selection and its pecking order, happy with a point off of a very strong Sjoke

I wasn’t very impressed with Stoke. Cart horses.

[Zip]

Anybody else think that the ball went out of play prior to the Stoke second goal?

Impossible for me to say as we sit in the ED Stand. It was a sublime finish from Ince.
Just seen the highlights and to me it looks like it’s still in play.
Our centre backs were both poorly positioned for their first goal.

[Zip]

Odd lineup with a lack of physicality up front against a big defence and the goal aside barely threatened first half, however we seemed comfortable.

Second half we were shocking. Stood off them, the midfield let them walk straight through. Got lucky at the end when Meite and Baldock showed a bit of aggression up front and caused them some issues.

Still in trouble not improving quickly enough.

think PC explained post-match, his predicament regarding his team selection and its pecking order, happy with a point off of a very strong Sjoke

I wasn’t very impressed with Stoke. Cart horses.

I thought they were decent and played some neat and tidy football.

[leon]

think PC explained post-match, his predicament regarding his team selection and its pecking order, happy with a point off of a very strong Sjoke

I wasn’t very impressed with Stoke. Cart horses.

I thought they were decent and played some neat and tidy football.

They were OK. Not the blitzkrieg I was expecting.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Strength in depth tho’ just look at their bench

Nailed-on top 6

[biff]

stunning positioning from our Welsh international for their 2nd.

[tee peg]

stunning positioning from our Welsh international for their 2nd.

yep, he looked like coming out of the boozer from an early doors session at 11.00 pm.

[AthleticoSpizz]

The usual scapegoating ^

Decent enough game from him today...but if you are ‘that way inclined’ probably not.

[Singing Defective]

The usual scapegoating ^

Decent enough game from him today...but if you are ‘that way inclined’ probably not.

Though Rinomhota was such a positive, truly only depressives would feel down after that. Also Stoke supporters did enough gesturing and library-book requests, so the 94th Minute was great to stay for.

[EverHopeful]

Didn't think they were very good but we settled down to the normal poor home form performance - three of those players are simply not good enough to play in this formation - something needs to change whether it be players or personnel.............wins bring points that matter not draws against teams that were there for the taking and if we don't start to string 2 or 3 wins together we are doomed. sad but true.

december could and may well be a nightmare that seals the season

[EverHopeful]

Didn't think they were very good but we settled down to the normal poor home form performance - three of those players are simply not good enough to play in this formation - something needs to change whether it be players or personnel.............wins bring points that matter not draws against teams that were there for the taking and if we don't start to string 2 or 3 wins together we are doomed. sad but true.

december could and may well be a nightmare that seals the season

[tee peg]

The usual scapegoating ^

Decent enough game from him today...but if you are ‘that way inclined’ probably not.

Not Scapegoating.Just giving an opinion on a senior player who should be performing much better than he is.
This season he has been consistently poor.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Yes, but not today

[CavershamRoyal]

Quite enjoyable, though the ref was genuinely terrible (at times for both sides - Baldock basically got punched in the throat with nothing given, and Jaakkola grabbed the ball whilst it was at least a foot over the touchline with no corner given). Point was probably fair, though Stoke had the better chances.

Jaakkola - 7, made a couple of very good saves. Didn't have a clear view of their goals but didn't really look like he was at fault. Better distribution than usual.

Yiadom - 6, got forward well and made some very nice dribbles, though occasionally found wanting defensively.

Ilori - 2, really not a good performance. Big fan of his but not a lot went right for him today. At fault for the second goal and nearly gave away a couple more.

Blackett - 6, good in the air, didn't do a lot wrong. Solid if unspectacular, and certainly looked better as a CB as part of a back 4 than last season.

Gunter - 6, had a torrid first 10 minutes or so but improved and was a good attacking outlet in the second half. Don't think he's really a LB, but made to look poor due to lack of cover from Swift and GMac.

Bacuna - 6, some nice passes but not a particularly memorable performance.

Swift - 5, not as terrible as I think some here are making out but was playing extremely deep and didn't offer anything defensively. In a confident team he'll be exceptional, but he may be a luxury in a relegation scrap.

Rinomhota - 8, really like the look of him. Tackled well, passed well, great run and cross for the first goal. Was unconvinced when Clement first played him, but think he's more than earned his place.

McCleary - 7, better second half than the first where he drifted all over the place. Very reliable and a much better option than Aluko.

McNulty - 7, glad he scored. Harried and won a lot considering his size but had no protection from a poor ref.

Loader - 6, definitely didn't look out of place but was pretty well contained by Stoke. Some nice touches.

Subs:
Meite - 8, missed him starting today. I like both of Loader and McNulty but neither provide the physicality that Meite does.

Barrow - 6, extra mark for the goal. Otherwise an unspectacular cameo.

Baldock - 5, didn't really get into the game

[tee peg]

Yes, but not today

Beg to differ.Better than Swift tho.......

[Snowflake Royal]

Anybody else think that the ball went out of play prior to the Stoke second goal?

Yes.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Yes, but not today

Beg to differ.Better than Swift tho.......

currist, even Ian in goal would have more positive impact than swift on pitch right now

[Zip]

Yes, but not today

Beg to differ.Better than Swift tho.......

Gunts was fine today. Stoke targeted our left flank in the first half and it meant that Gunter was outnumbered with Swift and GMac not backing him up. . He also drifted infield leaving the flank exposed but that would have been because he was playing under instruction. He did get caught upfield fairly early on when Stoke counter attacked but by and large he did enough defensively.

He didn’t do enough going forward. He won a corner in the first half but in the second put in a poor cross which went straight into the hands of the keeper. Overall though he was solid.

[EverHopeful]

Yes, but not today

he has simply passed his best at he age of 29.............three backward passes for every one forward. not alone with that stat though to be fair