Stoke City away match thread

[cityexile]

Heck of a game. Should have won really, but 2-0 down at half time, draw and the man of the match is their goalie…got to take it. Not a good cameo from Armstrong, but six unbeaten. And it was fun to watch.

[Rossi the Robin]

Just now, Ecko said:

**** sake Armstrong shit pass 

Not keen on his lay offs

Seem to always go behind the player

Potentially put us in danger on the counter 

Well played though lads

[David Brent]

Thoroughly deserved that. At the very least. It was a terrific reaction to going 2-0 down. 

After conceding 2 and being battered for the first 15 mins, I couldn’t see a way back. Credit to the team. 

[fly in the air]

did well especially having been 2 down. 4 points against boro away and stoke away from home is a great return. 

[ashton_fan]

Great comeback, 6 unbeaten

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

Couple of scares late on but overall we should have won that. Nevertheless after being two down I'll happily take the away point. 

[Numero Uno]

Decent point, good performance at one end, not so at the other!!

[Loco Rojo]

Good 2nd half and an entertaining game. Well done City for a great come back. Fun to watch and unlucky not to win that.

Really like Earthy.

[bexhill reds]

Enjoyed that game. Mad football at times in terms of defending.

Armstrong dreadful when he came on, personally would have gone with Fally for intelligent  play rather than brute strength especially with the likes of Bird and Earthy playing neat passes.

[cidercity1987]

I've tried my best to support Sinclair Armstrong despite being very critical of the recruitment team in signing him as first choice main striker.

However that was beyond terrible from him, offside what three times, every pass mishit behind the man

 Jeeeesss really really really bad

 

On a more positive note I thoroughly enjoyed that performance overall and I think I love George Earthy. We need to get him in the team and on the ball more

Edited 16 hours ago by cidercity1987

[Buster]

Take that point 

[MarcusX]

Thought it was a very good performance for large parts but the sloppiness (and lack of a clinical finisher) is the reason we’re a mid table side

[Bs4Red]

Really good performance, deserved all 3 but a great fight back from 2 down.

Some really good football played, their keeper has had an absolute blinder. 
 

Individual errors still costing us but the unbeaten run continues. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

A great Pro Nakhi! A great comeback!

Watched some of the 2nd half, listened to some of it..maybe will watch it properly in the coming days, both that and the Middlesbrough game-, Earthy for Mehmeti presumably isn't a pre-planned sub? Or was it.

Is it a point gained or is it 2 dropped..bit of both maybe. 4 points and 4 Goals from these 2 we woid have all been quite happy with and yet when you have 28 Shots you really should win!

[ProfitInMyPocket]

Like for like sub Wells for Armstrong was pointless.

Bird deeper was fine but he's been poor in the 10 second half, kept losing the ball.

Absolute basketball game and we really could have gone for the win tonight. 

Would have preferred Bird off and Sykes off earlier, let the game disappear a bit.

Armstrong has been dreadful, provides no link up. Passed it behind his teammate like 5 times and that offside from the counter with Earthy was shameful. 

We could have scored maybe 5 out of the 20+ attempts or whatever it was. Real lack of quality after the opener for them.

Their manager won't last playing like that, so open. We could have been done with that game with better game management. 

Take the point but feels like we've let the three drift away.

 

Edited 16 hours ago by ProfitInMyPocket

[Jerseybean]

2 minutes ago, old_eastender said:

FT 2-2. Armstrong poor when came on.

Twice caught off side when we were in decent positions, criminal.

[kit]

Just punished for poor defending at the start. Vyner probably the worst I've seen him play in a while.

Credit for the general performance, like chalk and cheese compared to blackburn for example.

Their keeper has pulled some cracking saves off.

[Tecknical Director]

Their keeper has absolutely earned Stoke a point. 2/3 absolute worldies. 

[steviestevieneville]

Pick the bones out of that. I actually think there’s more pluses out of tonight than Saturday overall . Much more intent to our play . Strange to say being 2-0 down but it feels bit two points dropped. I’d be more than happy with that intent though for the rest of the season 

[Bris Red]

Would have taken 4 points from tonight and saturday if it was offered last week to be honest..

We should go into the Leeds game with a fair bit of confidence but cannot afford to defend like that against them on Saturday..

[MarcusX]

1 minute ago, Rossi the Robin said:

Not keen on his lay offs

Seem to always go behind the player

Potentially put us in danger on the counter 

Well played though lads

Isn’t that what cost us the goal against Cardiff? Amazed to see him do it 3 more times tonight

[Jerseybean]

Just now, kit said:

Just punished for poor defending at the start. Vyner probably the worst I've seen him play in a while.

Credit for the general performance, like chalk and cheese compared to blackburn for example.

Their keeper has pulled some cracking saves off.

Their keeper was MotM for me 

[W-S-M Seagull]

Lots to analyse. I'd have bitten your hand off for 4 points from those 2 away games. 

[winsaw]

Good point in the end, we could have won that created a lot of chances 28 tonight but we look so shaky at the back we were lucky tonight stock manager took off there best attacking players, 

Armstrong was a wasted sub we lots our cutting edge 

[Red Exile]

What a mixed bag. We have some cracking players - but Armstrong - jeez. If we're supposed to be challenging...????? Offsides, poor touches, big lump who can run quickly - seriously? Is that what we're about? A season in the U21s or on loan and see what that makes of him? Should be nowhere near the first team.

Hey ho. Should have won that but a point isn't bad after that start.

[Andrew_V1]

Well that certainly wasn’t boring.

given some of the defensive lapses at 2-2 with the long ball and the flash across goal all in all a good point recovered

[robin_unreliant]

1 minute ago, cidercity1987 said:

I've tried my best to support Sinclair Armstrong despite being very critical of the recruitment team in signing him as first choice man striker.

However that was beyond terrible from him, offside what three times, every pass mishit behind the man

 Jeeeesss really really really bad

 

How must Fally feel seeing that??

[cotswoldred2]

Strange game this footy lark. I was fuming start of the match, was thinking 6 or 7 , and such a change start of the second, great character in fighting back, shows what can happen with a good striker in the shape of Wells. 

Overall pissed off happy, relieved.

[The Original OTIB]

Bird very good tonight as well. Always look like panic not far away at the back though. Need a steady head back there.

[95red]

Any coach save that game and show kids how not to defend  shocking  from both sides.

[Fuber]

Whats happened to Zak?

Just all over the place everytime ball came over the top towards him.

Before the game I'd have taken a draw - especially after the first ten, but again a bit fustrating. We've actually been dominant in terms of all around play which is something I've critiqued previously, but for Victor's heroics in the Stoke goal on occaision.

[Back of the Dolman]

7 minutes ago, Lew-T said:

Why are we kicking it long to Yu?

I was saying exactly the same thing !

Yu came on and then we decided to play the ball in the air to him all the time 

[Red Ferret]

Sinclair Armstrong slows us down, which is ironic as he's probably our fastest player

Nakhi to start Saturday with Fally off the bench plz. 

[lenred]

1 minute ago, Bris Red said:

Would have taken 4 points from tonight and saturday if it was offered last week to be honest..

Would’ve absolutely torn your hand off for it tbf.  Shame it wasn’t 6 though as they were there for the taking tonight even with the 2 goal head start.   But a superb return nonetheless.  

[1960maaan]

Well , decent point after going 2-0 down.

I spent the first 15 minutes on the phone trying to get our 2nd box sorted so I could get the Mrs in the other room . 2-0 by the time I sat down.

Created a few good chances and lots of decent positions. Wells showed why he's been involved , he can finish !
I thought Mayulu was a good fit for how the game was shaping up, but I understand why Armstrong was used. 
Just the same things I moan about , sloppy passing all over the pitch. 

4 points so far from a tough looking run is good, hope we can keep it going Saturday.

[downendcity]

Before the International break how many would have been happy with a point from away games at 'boro and Stoke, let alone 3?

[Northern Red]

Pick the bones out of that. Could have won it, could equally have completely caved in and got a hiding.

They're battling if nothing else.

[MarcusX]

2 minutes ago, kit said:

Just punished for poor defending at the start. Vyner probably the worst I've seen him play in a while.

Credit for the general performance, like chalk and cheese compared to blackburn for example.

Their keeper has pulled some cracking saves off.

You usually have a commanding CB and a “listener”. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Vyner looked his best alongside Dickie, and poor alongside McNally. He needs a commander next to him, and McNally probably the same from what I’ve seen of him.

As for their keeper, Bentley 2.0 to me, great shot stopper but flapped at loads of crosses

[IAmNick]

5 minutes ago, ProfitInMyPocket said:

Like for like sub Wells for Armstrong was pointless.

Bird deeper was fine but he's been poor in the 10 second half, kept losing the ball.

Absolute basketball game and we really could have gone for the win tonight. 

Would have preferred Bird off and Sykes off earlier, let the game disappear a bit.

Armstrong has been dreadful, provides no link up. Passed it behind his teammate like 5 times and that offside from the counter with Earthy was shameful. 

We could have scored maybe 5 out of the 20+ attempts or whatever it was. Real lack of quality after the opener for them.

Their manager won't last playing like that, so open. We could have been done with that game with better game management. 

Take the point but feels like we've let the three drift away.

 

I'm not sure Wells for Armstrong is like for like really?

[Cannybluff]

1 hour ago, Ivorguy said:

That sounds very much like ‘We are too good to go down’

I think we are. It seems like you need to be really poor in this division and I don't think we are. We have quality but its just not consistent. 

I thought overall though tonight we played well, responded well to going behind and deserved more than a draw. We seem to be moving forward with more purpose and less tippy tippy sideways stuff.

 

 

[Mr Popodopolous]

3 minutes ago, steviestevieneville said:

Pick the bones out of that. I actually think there’s more pluses out of tonight than Saturday overall . Much more intent to our play . Strange to say being 2-0 down but it feels bit two points dropped. I’d be more than happy with that intent though for the rest of the season 

Middlesbrough are a much better side or more dominant side than Stoke tbh (statistically etc) but I agree.

28 Shots Away from Home vs any side in the same division is exceptional really, from periods I saw Stoke, save for Johansson frequently couldn't stop us.

[sh1t_ref_again]

1 hour ago, sh1t_ref_again said:

Can still see us getting back into this game

Just saying, called it just after we went 2 nil down

[Ivorguy]

13 minutes ago, The Nest Egg said:

Needed to be Mayulu coming on, what does he need to do to even get a brief run out

I guess because they believe Armstrong adds strength to the defence

[ExiledAjax]

Worth booking half an hour out of your day tomorrow to watch the highlights.

[cotswoldred2]

9th

Quote

 

 

[eardun]

Nothing wrong with the fighting spirit of this team. Plus I’m sure someone said on this forum a couple of days ago that Wells was finished! Start Wells again on Saturday. I hope Dickie is back soon though - unsurprisingly we are really missing our player of last season.

[And Its Smith]

5 minutes ago, Fuber said:

Whats happened to Zak?

Just all over the place everytime ball came over the top towards him.

Before the game I'd have taken a draw - especially after the first ten, but again a bit fustrating. We've actually been dominant in terms of all around play which is something I've critiqued previously, but for Victor's heroics in the Stoke goal on occaision.

Misses the Dickie 

[Redsi2]

Am I allowed to say I quite like Ian Dowie on Sky with the commentator, much better than the usual sky pundits. Might just be me!!

[77 punk]

very good 4 points from two tough away games, good 6 games unbeaten . if we can get a point saturday it would be a great week

[BCFC31]

Jesus christ Stoke were absolutely dreadful actually come away annoyed we haven't won in the end away from home having come from 2 nill down !

[NDW4CITY]

Sincs very much 'out of sync' with the rest of the team.

[steviestevieneville]

Earthy has to start Saturday for mehmeti for me . His movement is quality . Links up with bird well who had a very good game as well 

[redkev]

Great point in the end but really should of been 3 , can’t understand why we were not at it in the first 10-15 mins even us fans know away at Stoke you got to be at it from the start surely the players should know that ,

by the way how long until Dickies back - he plays tonight we win the game simple as that 

McNally creeping up the list of worst ever signings - that hoppy jump for there first goal ffs man 

[And Its Smith]

Lost 2 out of 11. Manning has made us hard to beat 

[BCFC31]

2 hours ago, BCFC31 said:

I'm baffled by the starting line up. 

34 year old Wells being flogged twice in one week uptop on his own.

 

max bird playing put of position when we have george earthy chomping at the bit to play in the number 10 role.

 

no mayulu again ??

 

And why the hell has he dropped our most influential and in form player hirkawa for mark bloody sykes ! Yu is fresh off the back of scoring aswell.

 

poor lineup.

My comment about wells aged well haha

[eardun]

1 minute ago, Redsi2 said:

Am I allowed to say I quite like Ian Dowie on Sky with the commentator, much better than the usual sky pundits. Might just be me!!

I agree - he was excellent 

[Northern Red]

Just now, steviestevieneville said:

Earthy has to start Saturday for mehmeti for me . His movement is quality . Links up with bird well who had a very good game as well 

Think he'll start regardless with Williams banned.

[redkev]

5 minutes ago, MarcusX said:

You usually have a commanding CB and a “listener”. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Vyner looked his best alongside Dickie, and poor alongside McNally. He needs a commander next to him, and McNally probably the same from what I’ve seen of him.

As for their keeper, Bentley 2.0 to me, great shot stopper but flapped at loads of crosses

The sooner Dickie is back the better - Dickie plays we win the game 

[east sussex red]

I thought Earthy looked excellent and would like him to start v Leeds

[Ivorguy]

3 minutes ago, MarcusX said:

You usually have a commanding CB and a “listener”. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Vyner looked his best alongside Dickie, and poor alongside McNally. He needs a commander next to him, and McNally probably the same from what I’ve seen of him.

As for their keeper, Bentley 2.0 to me, great shot stopper but flapped at loads of crosses

Yet on last Saturday’s performance he was selected in the Championship team of the week.

I think the truth is he is just inconsistent, like too many of our players.  Look at Mehmeti tonight for another example.

[pillred]

6 minutes ago, downendcity said:

Before the International break how many would have been happy with a point from away games at 'boro and Stoke, let alone 3?

Four :laugh:.

[BCFCGav]

How many draws when we should have won this season… it’s costing us so dear. Gut wrenching at times.

[cidercity1987]

1 minute ago, And Its Smith said:

Lost 2 out of 11. Manning has made us hard to beat 

Incredible really when our defence has gotten so much worse.

I think it's a fluke that we haven't lost more and conversely won more, rather than any particular design 

[Northern Red]

Did like how the Sky commentator made a big thing at full time of Stoke stretching their unbeaten run to 4 games, whilst completely ignoring that ours is now 6.

[cityexile]

Must be in the air, five of tonight’s seven matches end all square.

[redkev]

6 minutes ago, Cannybluff said:

I think we are. It seems like you need to be really poor in this division and I don't think we are. We have quality but its just not consistent. 

I thought overall though tonight we played well, responded well to going behind and deserved more than a draw. We seem to be moving forward with more purpose and less tippy tippy sideways stuff.

 

 

But that’s our problem, not consistent enough , most of the draws this season we have been the better side and should have taken all three points , it’s for that reason why we’re gonna end up mid table again , 

[downendcity]

7 minutes ago, Ivorguy said:

I guess because they believe Armstrong adds strength to the defence

Ours or theirs?

[cidercity1987]

4 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

Think he'll start regardless with Williams banned.

Mcguane surely

I'm not liking the thought of Knight and Bird in CDM against Leeds 

[Tecknical Director]

Absolutely loved that, although, I’m confused as to why Sinclair gets the nod over Fally when we were crying out for a clinical finisher. Sincs needs some time in the under 21s. I see why they’ve bought him, but he isn’t getting 10 goals a season let alone 15-20. 

 

[downendcity]

3 minutes ago, pillred said:

Four :laugh:.

Doh!