Stoke City Post Match Thoughts

[fc_miller]

What was Ihekwe's excuse, did he get knocked off the ball too?

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

What was Ihekwe's excuse, did he get knocked off the ball too?

Ball with their keeper, our defence caught asleep, simple as that.

There might have been a nudge by one of their players but basically it should be our defenders imposing themselves and being more physical not the other way around.

[Shark27]

Their goal should have been disallowed. If you look at the sky app it shows a repeat looking down the pitch with their goal keeper kicking it from the far end straight down the middle. As the ball drops their player gave a subtle shove in the side to our no. 4 to prevent him from challenging for the ball. I am amazed no one appealed. If VAR covered it that would have been chalked off.

Did he go down theatrically like other teams players would?

If not, maybe our players should start thinking about doing it. Trying to be honest professionals won't be any good for Tony's wallet.

[millertop]

Ball with their keeper, our defence caught asleep, simple as that.

There might have been a nudge by one of their players but basically it should be our defenders imposing themselves and being more physical not the other way around.

It would probably have been a foul if we did that but I’d like to see Blackman give a good kick straight down middle now and again

[pip_y]

If we did go in for an out of contract player (striker) it would mean we wouldn’t be able to name either Cheo or Price as we have already named 24 players out of our 25 man squad.

Can be changed in Jan window, add striker now and drop another for Chieo then.

[pip_y]

Did he go down theatrically like other teams players would?

If not, maybe our players should start thinking about doing it. Trying to be honest professionals won't be any good for Tony's wallet.

i thought we were a little bit more savvy and we ‘earned’ at least 3 free kicks we wouldn’t have gone done for a few weeks ago.

[millertop]

We could blame officials, didn’t even talk to their player kicking ball away, their player kicked out a Blackman when he clearly had the ball but Ref just thought it was funny.
Again what would the outcome have been if we did them

[pip_y]

Free agent striker required.
Ex prem or cship who can create his own chances out of nothing.
£5k a week is better than being unemployed

Must be able to sing a welcome song and likes puppy dogs at the training ground

Daniel Sturridge
Wilfried Bony
Rudy Gestede

[WanChaiMiller]

A definite negative, I make that three occasions now where Ihiekwe has either given a goal away or scored an own goal. He reminds of Ajayi, sometimes composed and unruffled and looks the part or, looks like a League 2 player with his gaffs. Poor positioning today allowed McClean to stroke the ball home with ease. Get a grip Michael and sort yourself out lad.

To be fair to Ihiekwe I think it was Harding who took up a poor start position and didnt pick up the runner. He allows McClean to run a line inside him.

[caytonmiller]

Goal aside. We were poor all over the pitch. It was one of those games you would struggle to pick a motm for us.

Wednesday game papered over the 451 cracks. Be brave FFS warne. Have a bit more confidence in your players.
9 games. 4 strikers. 0 goals.