Didn’t actually have much to do after a superb defensive performance. Made a pretty simple save from a Kolarov free kick and that was about it. Knocked the ball around well close distance but didn’t find his man too many times going long range.
Phil Bardsley – 8
Kept Sane in his pocket, stuck to him all game and ensured he did not cause any threats to the point we took. Only lost him once which realistically should’ve ended in a stoppage time winner but somehow Sane failed to connect. Quality performance from Bardo, kept one of City’s biggest dangers in his pocket.
If you’ve just watched that game you’re probably either now drinking heavily, or meditating depending on what type of person you are. That was the definition of a nervy game.
What a point however, Ryan Shawcross take a bow. For anybody questioning our defensive capabilities this season, you have officially been silenced. Marc Wilson eat your heart out.
Following a win the last time out against struggling Middlesborough the Potters travelled to Eithad Stadium full of confidence, and we left…full of confidence.
Well, another point secured away in Manchester, and not conceding 4 goals again, let’s see how you all reacted to this…
This Wednesday we travel to the Etihad Stadium to face off against Manchester City. The match will begin at 8pm GMT.
Team News:
Manchester City: Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan are still out. Vincent Kompany is doubtful for the game, his fitness will be assessed and a decision made just before the squad lists are submitted.
Stoke City: Xherdan Shaqiri is available for selection again, following five games where he’s been sidelined due to a calf injury. Bruno Martins Indi & Marko Arnautovic are dounbtful due to injuries picked up the last weekend’s clash against Middlesbrough. Wilfred Bony is also out due to being unable to play against his parent club.
Easy three points against one of, if not the poorest side in the league. Lets rate…
Lee Grant – 6
Done nothing worth mentioning. Did well with the ball at his feet. Gets a 6 for just turning up.
Glen Johnson – 7
Pretty solid performance, Traore looked the most threatening player going forward, Johnson coped well with him in the first half. Supported attacks well as always.
Stoke City love wingers. Whether it’s Matthew Etherington, Stanley Matthews, Liam Lawrence or even Ryan Shotton at times. That’s if Tony Pulis was feeling that extra bit defensive. But since the early years of the Premier League we haven’t really had two wingers that we can rely on every week.
Well now Stoke finally can. Marko Arnautovic and Ramadan Sobhi fit the bill wonderfully. Who’d thought I’d ever say that with a player like Shaqiri on our roster?
This Saturday we welcome the Boro to the Bet365 Stadium. The last time the two sides met resulted in a 1-1 draw at Riverside, in the opening game of the season.
We are approaching this game off the back of a dire result against Spurs at White Hart Lane. This has prompted fans to call for Hughes out, with some demanding that his time at the Potters should come to an end either now or at the end of the season, amid claims that his style of play has reverted back to a Pulis era defensive approach. This has now become more evident as he approached the game with “Pulis Grafters” and had the team sitting back, this went against the last two fixtures at White Hart Lane, in which we attacked from the off and the games ended up with one win and a draw. So why the change of heart? For a further in-depth analysis of the game, go head to the blog page and read Tom Thrower’s article about the game.
Stoke succumbed to a third 4-0 loss to Tottenham in a row and it is proof that Mark Hughes’ consistent failings are costing Stoke. We sit an unassailable 12 points behind the always targeted 7th spot and even 8th is beginning to look out of Stoke’s reach with West Brom 8 points ahead of the Potters.
This does not make good reading for Mark Hughes who has lost a large amount of support from the fan base this season. It appears ‘Sparky’s’ plan is unravelling and it is his stubbornness that is forcing the Potters down the table, with a very realistic risk of finishing outside the top half, for the first time under his stewardship.
I must not be the only fan who feels like supporting Stoke right now feels like a loveless marriage. I have the same feeling now towards Stoke as I did under Pulis’s last season. I don’t look forward to games and at this moment I am really on the fence about renewing my season ticket.
I should probably mention that I live in Milton Keynes and it is becoming increasingly difficult to reach every home game. But this will be my 20th season ticket so feel I must. But at this moment watching Stoke has become a chore, seeing players like Bojan leaving leave you wondering what master plan Hughes has come up with, and you get even more depressed when the master plan is Charlie Adam.
Not only have Stoke lost 4-0 against Spurs, but Manchester United have just won the EFL cup. Not the best Sunday for Stoke City fans.
Sky Sports Mix hosted the Stoke game today; a rare television appearance for the Potters suggested a big performance could be on the cards. Geoff Cameron made the bench after a long stint out-injured and surely Berahino would step-up sooner or later. Mark Hughes kept his faith in Peter Crouch upfront, Sobhi continued on the left and Charlie Adam remained holding midfielder, just a few days after his wife gave birth. However, his happiness was short lived, thanks to a certain English Striker who goes by the name of Harry Kane.
