Outclassed & Out Passed
This match played out pretty much as I expected. I hoped for better and feared for worse. Stoke are a class act now and have quality throughout their side & could even leave players like Bojan & Shaqiri out of the starting eleven.
Several of our players started nervously as we lacked any composure on the ball. The result was that our front two saw very little of the ball. Stoke pressurised us all the time, which meant we gave the ball away cheaply. Inevitably they scored. It came from a quick throw when Hunt slipped, leaving his man free to score.
After that, it was damage limitation. We quickly lost Lees to injury with Pudil replacing him. McGugan replaced Hunt at half time.
The second half was slightly better with Wiggins finding space down the left and Joao & Hooper making runs beyond the Stoke defence, although they were rarely found. We did find some positions but we were let down by poor quality set pieces by Wallace & McGugan.
We did at least have three decent attempts at goal - a Hooper shot heading for the top corner before being deflected wide, a Pudil toe poke which went a foot wide and a McGugan shot which hit Joao and went through to Butland.
The second goal officially killed our chances but we never really competed at any stage.
Hard to know how to rate the players because we were well out of our depth. The combination of only having four in midfield and lacking Bannan's energy meant that our front two were starved of much ball.
Wildsmith - 6 - no chance with goals
Hunt - 4 - ripped apart & at fault for first goal
Lees - 6
Loovens - 6
Wiggins - 6
Wallace - 4
Hutchinson - 7 - only player of PL quality
Lee - 6
Sougou - 5
Joao - 6
Hooper - 6
.......................................
Pudil - 6
McGugan - 5
Nuhiu - 6
A number of things contributed to our downfall and playing 442 was probably the biggest one, We competed against Arsenal by playing 451 but last night we were over run in midfield which meant our defence was under pressure & and our attack was starved. There is no point playing an extra striker if we don't give him the ball. We learnt last season that going 442 against 451 invariably meant being on the back foot. Clearly Bannan is a big miss as well.
It was hard to tell what our plan was because we never went for it but we never defended well either. Stoke targeted Hunt and found loads of space there in the first half. We did better in the second half with Sougou at RB.
When we got free kicks & corners around their box, Wallace & McGugan wasted them with poor delivery. McGugan twice neshed challenges that he should have won at a time when there was still a chance to get back in the game at 1-0.
We now have more injuries for what is probably our most important match of the season on Sunday against Derby. On the plus side, we will have FF back & possibly Bannan but we could have a patched up defence with Lees & Loovens doubtful.
This match played out pretty much as I expected. I hoped for better and feared for worse. Stoke are a class act now and have quality throughout their side & could even leave players like Bojan & Shaqiri out of the starting eleven.
Several of our players started nervously as we lacked any composure on the ball. The result was that our front two saw very little of the ball. Stoke pressurised us all the time, which meant we gave the ball away cheaply. Inevitably they scored. It came from a quick throw when Hunt slipped, leaving his man free to score.
After that, it was damage limitation. We quickly lost Lees to injury with Pudil replacing him. McGugan replaced Hunt at half time.
The second half was slightly better with Wiggins finding space down the left and Joao & Hooper making runs beyond the Stoke defence, although they were rarely found. We did find some positions but we were let down by poor quality set pieces by Wallace & McGugan.
We did at least have three decent attempts at goal - a Hooper shot heading for the top corner before being deflected wide, a Pudil toe poke which went a foot wide and a McGugan shot which hit Joao and went through to Butland.
The second goal officially killed our chances but we never really competed at any stage.
Hard to know how to rate the players because we were well out of our depth. The combination of only having four in midfield and lacking Bannan's energy meant that our front two were starved of much ball.
Wildsmith - 6 - no chance with goals
Hunt - 4 - ripped apart & at fault for first goal
Lees - 6
Loovens - 6
Wiggins - 6
Wallace - 4
Hutchinson - 7 - only player of PL quality
Lee - 6
Sougou - 5
Joao - 6
Hooper - 6
.......................................
Pudil - 6
McGugan - 5
Nuhiu - 6
A number of things contributed to our downfall and playing 442 was probably the biggest one, We competed against Arsenal by playing 451 but last night we were over run in midfield which meant our defence was under pressure & and our attack was starved. There is no point playing an extra striker if we don't give him the ball. We learnt last season that going 442 against 451 invariably meant being on the back foot. Clearly Bannan is a big miss as well.
It was hard to tell what our plan was because we never went for it but we never defended well either. Stoke targeted Hunt and found loads of space there in the first half. We did better in the second half with Sougou at RB.
When we got free kicks & corners around their box, Wallace & McGugan wasted them with poor delivery. McGugan twice neshed challenges that he should have won at a time when there was still a chance to get back in the game at 1-0.
We now have more injuries for what is probably our most important match of the season on Sunday against Derby. On the plus side, we will have FF back & possibly Bannan but we could have a patched up defence with Lees & Loovens doubtful.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.