Back from the Game - Stoke City (H)

[chilipepper91]

Sky sports are showing stoke as having picked up 3 yellow cards.

BBC had 3 too, but have now added Wilkinson to that list. But no Etherington?

Begovic (time wasting), Wilkinson (time wasting), Shawcross (foul on Guthrie in injury time), Whitehead (first on McAnuff, second on Pogre- sorry McCleary ), Etherington (dissent)... any more? Swear HRK took on someone first half and they got booked.

[paultheroyal]

Time for Alex McCarthy to come back in, or Taylor. Or Henly.

[cmonurz]

Enjoyed today's game as one of the prawn sandwich brigade, my mate having scored a couple of exec box tickets courtesy of Genting Casino. First time in the West Stand since we beat Orient in the League Cup some 12 or so years ago. Terrific to see a nearly full Mad Stad baked in sunshine. The pitch looked like a newly laid carpet. Which isn't a surprise I guess, being, essentially, a newly laid carpet.

Very happy that we've come away with a point from what was a scrappy, quite-obviously-start-of-season game between two limited sides, I think both of whom will be nervously looking over their shoulders until well into the new year. Our biggest problem for me was lack of movement in the space between midfield and attack, which let Stoke comfortably defend in two rigid rows of four and forced the likes of Guthrie into hero passes far too often. We were also too keen to play it long from the back.

Federici 5 - not a game where either keeper was particularly tested, so you hope your guy will do the job when he has to. Haven't seen a replay of the goal yet, but looked from where I was that it went straight through him.
Harte 6 - didn't get the roasting from Kightly I was expecting him to, passed the ball well and got forward, but his set pieces weren't up to much.
Gorkss 7 - solid, Crouch didn't get much of a sniff.
Pearce 7 - as above, solid, won almost everything in the air. Both centre-backs looked a bit more troubled when a slightly pacier Jerome came on though.
Gunter 5 - for me too many misplaced passes and looked uncertain at times. Early days but not convinced Gunter is any more of a prospect than Cummings.
McAnuff 7 - starting to really love this guy, so full of energy, very solid game.
Leigertwood 8 - legend. Continues to amaze me, someone who pretty much defines the term 'journeyman pro' can have the season of his life in helping us to promotion, and now be the standout player on the pitch in the Premier League. Time will tell if he goes the distance at this level, I hope he does.
Guthrie 7 - a few Gerrard-style Hollywood passes 'to no-one in particular ((c) Ray Wilkins), but otherwise looked assured and has the best first touch in the side bar none.
Robson-Kanu 5 - a couple of decent turns and bursts, but disappointed, looked a little off the pace imho.
Pogrebnyak 4 - biggest disappointment of the day for me. Won little in the air, couldn't hold the ball up effectively, and a lot of his passing was laboured. I'm 100% sure there is much more to come from the big man, but today not his day at all. On this evidence, we miss Roberts.
Le Fondre 6 - ran and ran and ran and must have been cursing our very 'direct' style of play. Fed off scraps.

Subs:

McCleary 7 - instant impetus to our attacks, a winger who can run at defenders with pace, this guy really excites me, he has to start at Chelsea.
Hunt 6 - unfairly punished when he leapt like a salmon on springs over Shawcross, his willing running may yet prove an asset in the final third of games.

Other observations/comments:

- Ok, I was only about 30 yards from him, but Pulis shouts loud, and a lot.
- QueensLOLey.
- Horrible after-timing, but having played roulette with £20 at Genting and making a bit of profit before we got taxis to the ground, I had a couple of wagers and hit 1-1 for £25, very nice.

[Simon's Church]

What time did you arrive in the end? Was there a dress code and did the club provide food and drink?

[cmonurz]

Arrived at 1.30pm by a taxi provided by Genting, dress code was smart casual (shoes, not football tops), and yes RFC did provide food and drink - posh hot dogs, paninis, chicken wraps, all very nice. And a constant stream of alcohol. Very impressed indeed.

[LoyalRoyalFan]

My over-riding conclusion today was that Queensley can just oxf*rd off.

..... and clappers.

..... and the annoying Big Bad Wolf song on repeat.

..... and decibel churning music.

[muddyfeet]

Bloody hell it was hot

[URZZZZZZZZ]

Feds 6
Gunter 6
Gorkks 7
Pearce 7
Harte 6
HRK 6
Guthrie 7.5
Ledge 7.5
Jobi 6.5
ALF 7
Pog 6.5

McCleary 8
Hunt 6

Kevin Friend 9.5

[RoyalBlue]

Yes, Whitehead finally got the red card he had been looking for all game but should have gone some 15-20 minutes prior to that for one of the most blatent and cynical body checks you are ever likely to see on Pog as he threatened to break into the area. Since when has a challenge like that not been deemed worthy of a yellow (and therefore followed by a red if Whitehead was the offender)?

Pog fell through the defenders looking for the penalty, ref got that right even if he got other decisions wrong.

.

Not talking about that incident (although I disagree, I think the ref got that wrong too, Pog burst between them, on his feet, and they sandwiched him, bringing him down). The incident I'm referring to is when Pog cut inside along the edge of the area, knocked the ball past Whitehead who promptly stepped across him to block his run with his body, bringing Pog down in the process - deliberate, cynical and very easy to see - a definite yellow card but Friend bottled it.

[JordCot]

Fair result, pleased to see we weren't overawed at all if a little nervous about making mistakes.

Should have won the game but I doubt we will see too many of those goals going in.

I love how Guthrie demands the ball. Whenever the CB's had the ball with a bit of space he would jog over and practically take it off them, nice to have someone who can do the Hollywood pass. Sometimes i felt he picked a harder pass than needed, like trying to pass it in the air rather than across the floor but the Ledge/Guth partnership looked goood. Ledge was very comfortable, won every second ball in that first half

Encouraging, roll on a Tuesday

[windermere_royal]

Not happy with you guys putting down the Pog, for me he was a touch of class, classic first touch, maybe he didn`t win the flick ons, but thats not his game, when we get the crosses in from near the byeline rather than 30 yards out, then thats when you will see him doing what he does best.

roll on WEDNESDAY.

[URZZZZZZZZ]

'greed

Found it difficult with Huth on his back the whole time but was really starting to come into the game the 15 mins before he went off. Give him time.

[LoyalRoyal22]

Dont really understand the Gunter critics, dont remember him getting beat once by Matty Etherington, would have been part of a back 4 that kept a clean sheet if Feds didnt let him down. Made a couple of good bursts in the second half which lifted the tempo off the team, and overlapped McCleary a number of times. Much better player than Cummings.
Guthrie was class in midfield, you have to forgive the odd sloppy pass when he is making the most passes in the team by far, and always showing for the ball. Sprays the balls out to the wings with ease.
McCleary changed the game and i wasnt expecting that from him, quality running with the ball and picking out team mates
Pav looked unfit and lacked movement, but was playing against two of the toughest centre halfs in the division, reserving judgement.

Anyway happy with the point in the end, my ratings

Feds - 4
Gunter- 7
Harte- 6
Gorkks- 6
Pearce- 7
Robson-Kanu- 5
Mcanuff- 5
Ledge- 6
Guthrie- 8
POG- 6
Le Fondre- 7

[E. Andrew]

Though Guthrie even looked solid when collapsing on the ball with the back line. More settled than the center-backs at times.

[chilipepper91]

I love how Guthrie demands the ball. Whenever the CB's had the ball with a bit of space he would jog over and practically take it off them, nice to have someone who can do the Hollywood pass.

I would have thought after about 10 minutes that Pulis would have told someone to close him down any time he got the ball. So clear he was our playmaker, take away his passes and we'd have been majorly stuck.

[LoyalRoyal22]

[quote="cmonurz"]Gunter 5 - for me too many misplaced passes and looked uncertain at times. Early days but not convinced Gunter is any more of a prospect than Cummings.


Possibly the worst comment i have ever seen on this forum

[RedRum]

I love how Guthrie demands the ball. Whenever the CB's had the ball with a bit of space he would jog over and practically take it off them, nice to have someone who can do the Hollywood pass.

I would have thought after about 10 minutes that Pulis would have told someone to close him down any time he got the ball. So clear he was our playmaker, take away his passes and we'd have been majorly stuck.

Think he told them to shut down our wingplay (resulting in lots of dirty fouls). Hopefully the inclusion of Guthrie means we're no longer a one-trick pony any can play through the centre if our wingplay is shutdown.

[E. Andrew]

'greed

Found it difficult with Huth on his back the whole time but was really starting to come into the game the 15 mins before he went off. Give him time.

Agreed, he looked far better on the move forcing fouls and creating space than he did with his heels planted and back against a defender in the box, where he seemed to be a lot in the first 2/3 (though it was probably the plan to begin). McCleary was huge in dropping off the ball where we could turn toward the goal, and not only just for Pog.

He may have been on the verge of creating something, but with the heat I suppose it's a waste to have unspent subs, and there were no other holes. In hindsight it was optimistic to think Hunt would be any better against Stoke's strength at back, but he'll make his mark.

[Allyh84]

Fed 6 Stupid error out of the while for now, which is decent. It happens.
Harte 6 Decent enough but his set pieces are all over the bloody place. You never know what you're going to get.
Pearce 7 Assured
Gorkss 7 Same as above, an utter beast in the air, important clearances and he looks very graceful and comfortable on the ball
Gunter 6 Again, wasn't too impressed. Looked unambitious going forward.
HRK 5 Can't pass a man to save his life and looked poor at Prem level. Got hacked down a few times but that was perhaps just a combination of a) being unable to round a man b) Stoke generally hacking
Legs 7 IMMENSE tackling/covering but he was caught out of position a few times.
Guthrie 7 Looked OK but can't remember him doing anything that significant
McAnuff 6 Struggled to get into the game
ALF 7 Cool penalty but today was a difficult game for a striker
Pog 6 Stoke hassled him alright, he'll have better days.

Hunt ??? Can't remember seeing him do much tbh
McCleary 9 Changed the game, a few really teasing crosses. He play a bit like Aaron Lennon, only not as good/fast etc.

[soggy biscuit]

It was utter dross, let's be blunt. A decent battling point, but we were poor today. McCleary played very well when he came on, and Guthrie got better as the game went on. We looked a much better team when Pog went off and we started trying to play football. Stoke were time wasters and physical as was expected.

Pretty much sums up my thoughts on the game. Pretty s**t game to start a PL season. McCleary looked good but then he came on when everyone else has been playing in 28c for an hour