29-08-2018, 22:01
Incredibly the team got a standing ovation at HT as they trooped back down the tunnel by the away end they had competed well some good passages and some poor bits on show. Stoke fielded a strong team and wanted the victory for morale and momentum.
Durm was a breath of fresh air thou playing out of position on the left, good touches keen to go forward, good tackler and reader of the game, I'd risk him at Everton myself.
Williams started well some good blocks and surging runs for first 25 then went missing but had little help. Sabiri was poor and hauled off at HT wanted too much time ( he needs to go out on loan and toughen up on his magic carpet) and a big Stoke defence had an easy night V the lightweight Kachunga ( still falling over trying to do too much) , Diakhaby and Pritch doing very little to impress when he came on. LDP barely got a touch first half, came into more 2nd, Lossl a couple of good stops, Schindy was magnicifent throughout keeping Afobe very quiet winning the aerial battle, Bacuna looked way off any sort of start. Good to see this squad given a run out but a huge worry as we simply dont have any depth and apart from practice matches n friendlies behind close doors dont know where these guys will get up to speed with our usual early Cup exit.
No threat, no real width, too many vital passes astray and we got exactly what we deserved on the night.
I think most left once the OG flew in so wont have been many of the 700 stood to see them plod off after.
Trying not to get too upset just yet, but Waggers needs to start earning his 50k pw wedge and gel this lot into a team with fight and spirit, the coaches too cos their roles are all being questioned right now.
Durm was a breath of fresh air thou playing out of position on the left, good touches keen to go forward, good tackler and reader of the game, I'd risk him at Everton myself.
Williams started well some good blocks and surging runs for first 25 then went missing but had little help. Sabiri was poor and hauled off at HT wanted too much time ( he needs to go out on loan and toughen up on his magic carpet) and a big Stoke defence had an easy night V the lightweight Kachunga ( still falling over trying to do too much) , Diakhaby and Pritch doing very little to impress when he came on. LDP barely got a touch first half, came into more 2nd, Lossl a couple of good stops, Schindy was magnicifent throughout keeping Afobe very quiet winning the aerial battle, Bacuna looked way off any sort of start. Good to see this squad given a run out but a huge worry as we simply dont have any depth and apart from practice matches n friendlies behind close doors dont know where these guys will get up to speed with our usual early Cup exit.
No threat, no real width, too many vital passes astray and we got exactly what we deserved on the night.
I think most left once the OG flew in so wont have been many of the 700 stood to see them plod off after.
Trying not to get too upset just yet, but Waggers needs to start earning his 50k pw wedge and gel this lot into a team with fight and spirit, the coaches too cos their roles are all being questioned right now.