Stoke City v Everton

[wepull]

I wasn't saying that, just that we lacked urgency and directness until the subs came on.

Of course what happened was more complex than just having one more striker up. Gibson in particular had far more options due to Osman's movement, and also because we pushed them back (that's largely down to our strikers' agressive pressing) so things happened in front of him rather than all around him. Even McCarthy didn't slow our play down so much as he usually does because there was a rhythm to our passing that he could follow.

Getting and keeping Osman fit for the rest of the season might prove to be crucial.

Also because Lukaku and Naismith have first touch of a rapist. I am not blaming them but playing in a formation with so much gap between forward and midfield, you need your strikers who can hold the ball up till other players come in the picture. Lukaku and Naismith can barely do that. Anichebe did that against us for West Brom at GP.

And I agree with Osman point, he makes our team looks more balanced. Actually lack of players who could play clever passes quickly is hurting us.

[Rodenplav64]

Whatever happens the fucking doomsayers need to be realistic about the form Stoke are in and leave off labelling every opponent in the League as being shit . They have shown they can defend well and we couldn't break them down at home and to beat them on their own patch we will need to be quick to the ball all over  the pitch . I would start Kone and Naismith up front and bring Lukaku on out wide later in the game . Lennons energy would also come in handy closing down the space we leave between our front man/men ( I think Mirallas has lost interest in us ) and help Coleman get forward more than he has been doing . This is not an easy game in the slightest . Besic should love this sort of game also .

I hate commenting on my own posts but is anyone going to give Stoke any credit ?

[Jimmywhack]

I hate commenting on my own posts but is anyone going to give Stoke any credit ?

I thought they were poor. Which is more annoying. Arsenal on Sunday and Stoke last night both beat us, comfortably, whilst being poor

[Rhys]

I hate commenting on my own posts but is anyone going to give Stoke any credit ?

Stoke played their game plan very well. But stoke, arsenal, west brom it doesn't matter who it is or what they do. It's the same thing game in game out which is the problem. We don't create enough chances, we are slow on the ball, we don't have a good shape, we are easy to have our full backs marked out the game.

We are the easiest team to play against which is why we are sliding down the table because teams now if you let us have the ball we make mistakes that cost us goals like Lukaku last night. We don't move the ball quickly enough or have enough proper shape to create enough chances to get the goals we need. So they sit deep, hit us on the counter at the right times and as long as they pressure our midfield and full backs we offer nothing.

So it's not about giving credit to stoke, who are a decent team with a decent manager, because its happened too many times against different teams to be anything other than our failings costing us right now.

[Alanvideo]

I hate commenting on my own posts but is anyone going to give Stoke any credit ?

..........Only to say they played with aggression and the old phrase - they wanted it more. Stoke defence was pretty tight but they didn't really have much to do We improved when Osman came on and he actually looked a if he cares ,unlike some of our players who are sleep-walking through games.

[Major Clanger]

I hate commenting on my own posts but is anyone going to give Stoke any credit ?

No. They didn't do anything special. They pressed us like everyone else does, they flooded the middle while defending like everyone else does, they scored some goals to beat us like everyone else does.

[blue slug]

To beat us at present you certainly don't need to be a tactical genius that's for sure

[GLewis]

No. They didn't do anything special. They pressed us like everyone else does, they flooded the middle while defending like everyone else does, they scored some goals to beat us like everyone else does.

The thing is teams don't even need to flood the middle that much.

We make it so congested in there that 3 of their players spatially cover 5/6 of ours.

This allows their wingers to push up to our fullbacks leaving us with nowhere to go.

[Rodenplav64]

My point was that only Arsenal and City have beaten them this year . I think Lukaku needs to be on the bench as his poor league form is just getting worse by the game . His touch last night was truly atrocious . Even his biggest fan must have wanted him off if only for his own sake . Mirallas , Osman and Kone should have been on after 45 mins and should all start against Newcastle . Give Lukaku the 2 European ties and a rest in the league as he is not going to score the goals that keep us up . Kone and Osman may well turn out to be the players save our season . Lukaku hopefully takes us to Europa League glory . Keep the faith .

[pjk]

Not sure whether it's been mentioned, but Gareth Barrys yellow from last night leaves him with a two match ban. So anyone who's had a moan about Barrys form, or lack of it, will have a chance to see if his contribution is as poor as they say it is. Besic Gibson and Mc'Carthy will be available in any permutation so it should be interesting. Having had a good nights sleep to calm the knee jerk stuff down, we're still in the shit up to our armpits.

[b17blg]

How can a team who is supposed to move the ball around at the back and make the ball do the work end up 3rd in the overall distance covered league table. I guess it constantly having to run after their strikers when they are through on our goal!

[ally2]

That said, whilst everyone kept insisting on bringing a winger in in Jan, I wanted a creative centre mid. Tough to find in Jan with limited funds though.

We should've brought Riquelme out of retirement.

[Rodenplav64]

We should've brought Riquelme out of retirement.

Worthy of its own thread .

[Verm]

Each time I see SSN replay that first goal I get more confused as to what the fuck Tim Howard thought he was doing.

[brap2]

Each time I see SSN replay that first goal I get more confused as to what the fuck Tim Howard thought he was doing.

yeah...it's a good header no doubt but howard doesn't get anywhere fucking near it. Would be very interested to hear a goalkeepers POV on his positioning and feet movement.