Stoke v West Brom

This topic contains 10 replies, has 6 voices, and was last updated by selbystokie selbystokie 7 years, 6 months ago.

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  • #1237131
    Mark Holmes
    Mark Holmes
    Keymaster
    • :

    Sorry fellas, I’m trying to contribute more but didn’t want to talk about us last weekend!

    I actually thought we’d win with that midfield, which looked much more balanced on paper, but switching the defence around again was madness from Hughes. He’d bemoaned the lack of consistency at the back in his press conference but then effectively changed 75% of the back four with different players at RB, CB and LB.

    Martins Indi had a bit of a shocker at LB, but hopefully Hughes will now stick with the defence he put out against Hull. I include Grant in that as his extra height can only be a help.

    We’ve still got big problems in midfield, though, and I’m honestly not sure what the answer is. I’d be tempted to give Whelan one more game at DCM as I still believe he’s often left with the work of two or three, but I think it’s time Adam was recalled somewhere. Whether that’s in place of Whelan, Allen or Bojan, I am not particularly fussed, but we need big characters tomorrow.

    Despite Sobhi’s good performance against Hull, I’d also bring Shaqiri straight back in because he attracts defenders and will free up space for other players even if he doesn’t play fantastically well himself. His vision will also help Bony, plus he’s always linked up well with Johnson, who’s thankfully now back.

    PS. Swisspotter, regarding your post about Pulis coming back, I still can’t see it happening in a million years. Coates ignored the fans to (quite rightly) bring him back once, but it would be a silly move now. Yes, he would no doubt keep us up, but our aim as a club is to improve on ninth. Pulis isn’t the man to do that.

    Frankly, I’m not sure there’s an available manager who is so I pray we can get a win tomorrow to ease the pressure on Hughes. It’s unlikely we’ll have an exceptional season, but the best case scenario in my opinion is that Hughes steadies the ship, steers us well clear of relegation, and then we look at changing managers next summer if it’s clear things have gone stale.

    #1238379
    mudcat
    mudcat
    Participant
    • :

    I would also go with Adam, together with Allen, tomorrow. It´s time to bring in the hard workers

    #1238520

    baranghisap
    Participant
    • :

    Righto … this week we will play 6-1-3 Starring upfront will be Sobhi, Bojan, Shaquiri and Diouf. Backed by Bony and Arnie. Defence: Shawx, Martins and Cameron. Whelan plays screen. Grant/Haugaard in goal. If we can’t win let’s see how many we can score ….. it’s all or nothing. Subs: Adam, Imbula, Johnson.

    #1238595
    selbystokie
    selbystokie
    Participant
    • :

    Would it be wise to play Charlie? A combination of Jakob and Rowan Atkinson reffing is too much of a risk – we will be down to ten men early in the first half. Today is one of my few sallies south to see the lads live and despite everything I am optimistic about this one. I don’t expect a classic with lots of goals, but I do expect a win – as long as we do not give away any stupid penalties and manage to keep eleven men on the pitch for the whole game.

    #1239996

    morganhind
    Participant
    • :

    Homzy
    What about Gus Hiddink. Wise old owl of a manager with a proven track record, steadied the ship at Chelsea last year and won the respect of the players. I just feel someone like him would get the house back in order and give us a bit of breathing space before next year while being Dutch he could probably bring the best out of Martins Indi and Erik Peters. I just think there’s clearly something not right at the moment and it’s being going on since about March last year. Part of me thinks lets wait till Butland gets back and take stock then. However, with the injury Jack has it could be well past the New Year before he’s back to full fitness and we need to turn things around pronto or we’ll find ourselves in a hole we can’t get out of

    #1240749
    selbystokie
    selbystokie
    Participant
    • :

    Not quite the result that we deserved, but there are no complaints from me about the performance. We looked like a team, a team that fought for every ball and at times played some excellent football. We didn’t look nervous and played with lots of confidence. All the back four played well, but how Shawcross got the sponsor’s MOM award baffled me and everybody else in the South Stand judging by the looks of bewilderment as it was announced. For me it was a toss up between Joe Allen and Shaq – the latter certainly looking sharp and certainly not looking as though he had just come back for injury. Goalkeeping still seems to be our biggest problem, though. Grant had an OK match and it was his hesitation that led to the corner from which they scored. He was too slow at coming out and, even if he had called for the ball, I don’t think that Martins – who was excellent throughout – had any option but to play safe. If only we had someone on the back post we wouldn’t have conceded!! On to next week and Old Trafford. If we play as well we should get something, but for our keeper problem. One last thing – I don’t think that anyone can complain about the crowd – we almost got the whole stadium going again which was good to hear.

    #1241748
    Mark Holmes
    Mark Holmes
    Keymaster
    • :

    I agree with every word of that, Selby. A perfect summary.

    I’m a lot less worried about us after yesterday. The manager got everything right (apart from perhaps the subs), the players showed they’re fighting for him, and the crowd showed its ready to do is bit if needed.

    We’ll probably lose next week, but I won’t panic. We’ll be fine.

    #1244820

    baranghisap
    Participant
    • :

    For the Man U match ….. we will adopt my special Cerebus watchdog defence …. eight tacklers and two wingers …. LW: Arnie. RW: Shaq. Defence: ShawX, Martins, Whelan, Cameron, Johnson, Pieters, Muniesa and Bardsley. Reserves: Sobhi, Diouf, Allen. Er … is Man U any good at rugger? …..

    #1245927
    selbystokie
    selbystokie
    Participant
    • :

    barang are you Tony Pulis in disguise? 🙂

    #1246017

    clitheroekid
    Participant
    • :

    First time I have been on the site for a few weeks.

    Selby good to read you made the game and beat your old jinx (a loss).

    The match has been summed up by others but for the first time in weeks we looked like a team with some shape. Not a great performance but one to build on. I hope we can keep the back four/five together to build up understanding. After the international break we have a run of games where points must be picked up.

    Anyway it was so much better travelling back up the M6 with a point even if it was a late equaliser.

    #1246479
    selbystokie
    selbystokie
    Participant
    • :

    I went with no fears, Clitheroe, as I had nailed my jinx (curse?) last season as I was at the Bournemouth game. I have kept the ticket from that game and am thinking of having it framed. 🙂 If what we hear is right, we probably only have to play only three more games without Jack, but as you say we need to keep the back four/five the same for those few matches. We will be fine despite all the glass half empty panickers you see on the Oatie.

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