Match Review: Man Utd 3-0 Stoke City
On a bitterly cold night in Manchester, our boys took on the might of Manchester United as we looked to put in a good performance at the start of a new era. Of course the news had broken of our new Managerial appointment earlier yesterday as Paul Lambert was announced as our new gaffer on a 2.5 year deal.The news in the main was not particularly well received as many perceived him to be the clubs 4th choice. In fact it’s fair to say, the majority of us felt “ flat “ at this appointment. That said, and once the news had been processed, the Stoke fans got right behind their new man as “ Paul Lamberts barmy army “ belted out from the away section at the self proclaimed “ theatre of dreams “.
Man United away was always going to be a very tough assignment regardless of the circumstances. In fact I did not know one Stoke fan who honestly felt we could take anything from this fixture. Especially so considering our poor away form throughout the season to date. Despite this, we started brightly and carved out some good chances only for Antonio Valencia and Anthony Martial to score excellent goals during a decent first half. To be 2-0 down at the break felt a bit unjust as we had acquitted ourselves very well. The desire, work rate and all round commitment which has been absent so much recently was there for all to see. We couldn’t really ask for anymore than this right now.After the interval and despite trailing, the Stoke fans really started to find their voice as “ Paul Lamberts barmy army “ was belted out for a good ten minutes. It was a fantastic atmosphere and for the first time in
good while you really felt like the Stoke fans were together as one.United stepped it up a bit in the second half and although we competed for most of it, we didn’t offer as much as an attacking threat as we had done during the first. Mame Diouf did miss a late good opportunity but other than that, I cannot recall us troubling David De Gea in the United goal. On 72 minutes, Romelu Lukaku made it 3-0 and that was it as a contest.
Despite the defeat, there were was plenty to leave us feeling positive about. Steven Ireland did well as he continues to return to full fitness – indeed this was his first Premier League start since April 2015. Xherdan Shaqiri looked a threat at times and our new full back from Rubin Kazan (Moritz Bauer) acquitted himself well. The biggest positivity for me however was our support. This was a proper vocal away following with us all coming together as one. If we have any chance of surviving we have to maintain this now and put any differences in opinion regarding the new Managerial appointment to one side.
One statistic that does concern me though is this. We have conceded 50 Premier League goals this season and 5 of the previous 6 sides that conceded 50 plus goals at this stage of the season were relegated. The only exception to this was Swansea last season.
Nevertheless, we can still do this. We have a run of critical games now which may ultimately decide our fate, starting with Huddersfield at home on Saturday.Time to get up for the fight everyone and unite behind “ Paul Lambert’s barmy army “By James Lockett
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