M18CTID
Well-Known Member
I didn't realise they gave points for winning FA Cup games....
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Stoke post match thread
- Thread starter taleofbluehalves
- Start date
I didn't realise they gave points for winning FA Cup games....
Prestwich_Blue
Well-Known Member
We've beaten one team in the top half (and that was Arsenal) in six games. It just looks like we're getting very complacent against what we see as average opposition and too many players aren't performing at the moment. We need two good performances in the next two games but fourth place or better is by no means secure at the moment with three tough league fixtures coming up.Pep once again underestimated the opposition. Result = a loss of two points which at the end of the season might be significant. Pep is pep and he thinks he knows everything. Will he learn from this, probably not.
I totally agree. There are far too many on here who spout a load of nonsense. It's obvious some of these so called fans are clueless and probably were nowhere to be seen pre 2008.
Can't wait for Saturday as it should be a great day out at Boro with thousands of well informed Blues cheering on the boys to pick up all 3 points.
this did make me smile sir :-)
BlueMooner123
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 12 Jun 2009
- Messages
- 318
Overall poor game from pretty much everyone last night. Tempo was lacking from the first minute.
De bruyne couldnt find a blue shirt, been off recently
Navas for Sterling basically killed anything down the right so Stoke could concentrate on Sane. How navas is rotated in is beyond me. Im trying to be kind but a truly awful player.
Sane very quiet, didnt come anywhere near the performances of recent times
Fernandinho was poor again,
Clichy and Sagna offered nothing going forward
as many have said the game improved when Silva came on, the game was crying out for him.
Missed any half chances that presented themselves and Stoke did exactly what they came to do, frustrate us.
On to Boro and hopefully and much improved performance. Still got to fight for top 4 and some difficult league games coming up.
De bruyne couldnt find a blue shirt, been off recently
Navas for Sterling basically killed anything down the right so Stoke could concentrate on Sane. How navas is rotated in is beyond me. Im trying to be kind but a truly awful player.
Sane very quiet, didnt come anywhere near the performances of recent times
Fernandinho was poor again,
Clichy and Sagna offered nothing going forward
as many have said the game improved when Silva came on, the game was crying out for him.
Missed any half chances that presented themselves and Stoke did exactly what they came to do, frustrate us.
On to Boro and hopefully and much improved performance. Still got to fight for top 4 and some difficult league games coming up.
this did make me smile sir :-)
Just trying to lift the mood after last night :)
GaudinoMotors
Well-Known Member
Can't accuse you of not being thorough. Unfotunately you only appear to read what you want to and often miss the point being made.Stoke arguably played for the point, their chances were rare and weren't so clear cut.
Never said that. We didn't play well enough and we didn't take our chances, that's all.
Agreed.
That makes it sound like an intentional draw, which is unfair. Teams have off days, Chelsea and Spurs have them too.
Possibly, who knows? Do you think he picked the team solely because he thought it was good enough or was there perhaps also training and development aspects involved too?
"Many predicted a struggle," this isn't FIFA, you can't always and in every situation throw out your best XI, especially not with four massive games in 10 days.
The team Pep played was arguably good enough, flappers predicted a struggle against Sunderland (so it was), Bournemouth (so it was) and Swansea (so it was) and that was with our first XI.
The difference between Stoke and those games was we took our chances in those games and didn't against Stoke.
Hope so, they have Chelsea next.
Concern isn't bringing up shit about Joe Hart after we just broke the club's consecutive clean sheets record.
Further, had David Silva, or Kelechi Iheanacho, or Leroy Sane, or Kun Aguero put away their tap ins, you wouldn't be on here being negative at all. Fine margins, that's the difference.
Nah, you're negative mate.
Bottom line is, you don't know. The lineup was good enough to beat Stoke but it didn't. If you want to say it wasn't good enough to beat Stoke, then you're making the case that we should essentially replace players like Sane, KDB and Aguero because they aren't capable of scoring sitters against a team who have conceded more goals than all but the relegation zone teams.
We lost points last night due to selection and subsequent mindset, whether necessary or not is another question.
Can't accuse you of not being thorough. Unfotunately you only appear to read what you want to and often miss the point being made.
We lost points last night due to selection and subsequent mindset, whether necessary or not is another question.
Did we? How do you know that's why we lost points?
We score our chances and we win, isn't that a more simpler, observable reason?
Chippy_boy
Well-Known Member
I only remember Silva missing what could vaguely possibly but not even then be called "a sitter". As I remember, the others - few that they were - were scrambled half-chances. Even Sane with his big chance in front of goal, was tackled/blocked/put off balance by good defending from Shawcross.Stoke arguably played for the point, their chances were rare and weren't so clear cut.
Never said that. We didn't play well enough and we didn't take our chances, that's all.
Agreed.
That makes it sound like an intentional draw, which is unfair. Teams have off days, Chelsea and Spurs have them too.
Possibly, who knows? Do you think he picked the team solely because he thought it was good enough or was there perhaps also training and development aspects involved too?
"Many predicted a struggle," this isn't FIFA, you can't always and in every situation throw out your best XI, especially not with four massive games in 10 days.
The team Pep played was arguably good enough, flappers predicted a struggle against Sunderland (so it was), Bournemouth (so it was) and Swansea (so it was) and that was with our first XI.
The difference between Stoke and those games was we took our chances in those games and didn't against Stoke.
Hope so, they have Chelsea next.
Concern isn't bringing up shit about Joe Hart after we just broke the club's consecutive clean sheets record.
Further, had David Silva, or Kelechi Iheanacho, or Leroy Sane, or Kun Aguero put away their tap ins, you wouldn't be on here being negative at all. Fine margins, that's the difference.
Nah, you're negative mate.
Bottom line is, you don't know. The lineup was good enough to beat Stoke but it didn't. If you want to say it wasn't good enough to beat Stoke, then you're making the case that we should essentially replace players like Sane, KDB and Aguero because they aren't capable of scoring sitters against a team who have conceded more goals than all but the relegation zone teams.
I just don't think we created anything like enough solid chances. In part by us not starting until there was only 30 minutes to go. If we'd played with the same intensity from the start I am sure we'd have won.
GaudinoMotors
Well-Known Member
These chances you keep harking on about?Did we? How do you know that's why we lost points?
We score our chances and we win, isn't that a more simpler, observable reason?
Dave Ewing's Back 'eader
Well-Known Member
We've beaten one team in the top half (and that was Arsenal) in six games. It just looks like we're getting very complacent against what we see as average opposition and too many players aren't performing at the moment. We need two good performances in the next two games but fourth place or better is by no means secure at the moment with three tough league fixtures coming up.
I think that the team mentality, certainly in the first half, was that sooner or later the opening would come and it would develop into a comfortable win. There was little urgency displayed in the first half, and it is a pity that the team didn't shift themselves with the kind of activity that they reserved for the last ten minutes. I know that yer can't gallop around the pitch endlessly for 90 mins but it was another example of quick, slow, slower and slowest in the build up for most of our attacks. And the final ball was wasted on too many occasions. The final balls were generally good but nobody seemed to be anticipating them and capitalising.
mcfcinprague
Well-Known Member
Ticket for sale.
Different subject mate
I'm in 128, when I was coming out last night an older guy fell as he got on to the concourse coming out of your block (130), he fell on his head with a very loud bang. Did you see him? Does anybody know if he's OK?
These chances you keep harking on about?
Iheanacho and Sane both missed good chances in injury time.
Dave Ewing's Back 'eader
Well-Known Member
I only remember Silva missing what could vaguely possibly but not even then be called "a sitter". As I remember, the others - few that they were - were scrambled half-chances. Even Sane with his big chance in front of goal, was tackled/blocked/put off balance by good defending from Shawcross.
I just don't think we created anything like enough solid chances. In part by us not starting until there was only 30 minutes to go. If we'd played with the same intensity from the start I am sure we'd have won.
I think there were enough chances to have won the game by two or three. We will score goals this season from chances that aren't as nailed on as some of those last night. Silva was very unlucky with his chance - it was inside post and in if he had had a right foot but his left foot shot took it away at the last roll. Sane and Yaya snatched at their chances when yer can't help but think Costa or BigNose or Kane would have buried them. There were also a couple of chances that looked to have been in the net from our angle up in CBL3 but then yer see the ball bouncing round the back!
Different subject mate
I'm in 128, when I was coming out last night an older guy fell as he got on to the concourse coming out of your block (130), he fell on his head with a very loud bang. Did you see him? Does anybody know if he's OK?
He sits next to me. His name is Dave and travels in on a coach from North Wales. When I got on the concourse there was a couple of first aid guys stood over him. I helped get him on his feet and they walked him to one of the rooms. He said he just came over dizzy and fell but he was ok.
Prestwich_Blue
Well-Known Member
Couldn't agree more. It was so noticeable in the first half that when we did have a decent attack, there just weren't enough bodies getting forward. Navas (who wasn't anywhere near as bad as some are making out) would have te ball, look up and see no one level or in front of him. Watch Chelsea or Liverpool in similar situations and they'll have 4-6 players racing forward. I still think Aguero could be sold this summer and be replaced by a forward that can be effective with the ball from a deeper position.I think that the team mentality, certainly in the first half, was that sooner or later the opening would come and it would develop into a comfortable win. There was little urgency displayed in the first half, and it is a pity that the team didn't shift themselves with the kind of activity that they reserved for the last ten minutes. I know that yer can't gallop around the pitch endlessly for 90 mins but it was another example of quick, slow, slower and slowest in the build up for most of our attacks. And the final ball was wasted on too many occasions. The final balls were generally good but nobody seemed to be anticipating them and capitalising.
yeseye
Well-Known Member
The most annoying thing is we could have put clear daylight (8points) between us and 4th and also kept just a little pressure on Chelsea. We really could have done with keeping the momentum going especially going into the most important week of the season. If we don't progress in these two cup competitions we could well end up in free fall and also slip out of the top 4.
r.soleofsalford
Well-Known Member
I'd argue you lose Monaco and Boro you win nothing this season, so no, last night's game wasn't more important.
Further, people need to shut up about Navas. He played quite well last night and wasn't the reason we couldn't take our chances.
As for Nolito, he's done little the few times he's played. Huddersfield for example. Don't know why you think he deserves a game based off poor performances in training and in games.
Pure hyperbole.
Unsurprising from a poster who has waited quite some time to bring back the "no better than Pellegrini" bullshit.
Saying that KDB, Yaya, Sane, Aguero, Dinho et al was evidence we handed the title to Chelsea is an insult to the quality of those players. You think that squad wasn't good enough to beat Stoke? We had our chances but just didn't take them.
I think the squads good enough but not the team last night. I said it on the way to the ground, with that team winning wont be easy. For all Navas`s huff and puff he achieves little. Sometimes I`ve been surprised by Pep teams, sometimes baffled, last night I was dismayed and guess what until Silva came on we got what I thought we`d get.
"Unsurprising from a poster who has waited quite some time to bring back the "no better than Pellegrini" bullshit."
If I`ve been "waiting" to use that I think I`d of used it before now. I understand you being all defensive, if I hear people slagging City or certain players I tend to go on the offensive too, but sometimes you have to hold your hand up and say what you think to be the truth even if you or other people dont like it.
Oh and just to clarify, I used the Pelligrini reference because listening to the team selected it felt like when I heard so many of Pelligrini teams, knowing we would struggle because of the team picked.
Back to Navas nobody can call his work rate he runs as fast in the last 5 minutes of a game as he does in the first 5 but its what comes from all that none stop running
apps 113 goals 4 assist 22
Sorry but in a team that has over the last 5 years be one of, if not the most prolific, that is piss poor.
This year he currently has 0 goals and 0 assists from 26 games 13 starts and 13 games coming off the bench. I leave you to check out last year for yourself.
mcfcinprague
Well-Known Member
He sits next to me. His name is Dave and travels in on a coach from North Wales. When I got on the concourse there was a couple of first aid guys stood over him. I helped get him on his feet and they walked him to one of the rooms. He said he just came over dizzy and fell but he was ok.
Good to hear.
I was trying to get the attention of the stewards but they didn't react at first but the first aid guys did get there pretty quick thankfully.
These chances you keep harking on about?
Pep said the same thing.
Maybe Sterling looked a bit off in training, maybe not. All we know is the following:
1. We are playing 4 difficult games in 10 days and rotation is required.
2. The team was good enough to beat Stoke.
3. The team didn't play well, notable underperformers including KDB and Dinho.
4. The team still had clear cut chances to score and didn't take them.
So it's a 0-0 draw and suddenly we have all these people, some of them who haven't posted in a post-match thread since the end of January, coming in and expressing concern over Pep, ignoring all the recent results and evidence to the contrary.
People moan endlessly about how he didn't play Sterling or Silva from the start. Both were objectively shit last season and Pep has brought out the best in them, but not a word on that from any of the armchair coaches on here.
I think the squads good enough but not the team last night. I said it on the way to the ground, with that team winning wont be easy. For all Navas`s huff and puff he achieves little. Sometimes I`ve been surprised by Pep teams, sometimes baffled, last night I was dismayed and guess what until Silva came on we got what I thought we`d get.
What was wrong with the team last night? No Silva? He has to play every game or we're not good enough to beat Stoke?
If that's the case, isn't that a damning indictment of the state of our squad that we are so reliant on one aging player?
That said, I don't think it's fair to players like KDB, Sane, Aguero and Yaya to say they are unable to step up and win us games against mid-table opposition. They just didn't.