In the Potteries tonight

[JackBarSteward]

Yes, Grimes was very much off the pace yesterday. A number of times he went full... I've forgotten his name, that young Portuguese international who's parents lied about his age all through his junior career so he looked better than all his peers, kept passing to the sponsor boards, opposition and empty space with nobody even likely to be able to make a move in there. Him.

Benda was dropped because he made one or two f-ck ups being made to play the stupid way in what was it, his first few games? Fisher has made 5-6 per game every game.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Yes, Grimes was very much off the pace yesterday. A number of times he went full... I've forgotten his name, that young Portuguese international who's parents lied about his age all through his junior career so he looked better than all his peers, kept passing to the sponsor boards, opposition and empty space with nobody even likely to be able to make a move in there. Him.

Benda was dropped because he made one or two f-ck ups being made to play the stupid way in what was it, his first few games? Fisher has made 5-6 per game every game.

Are you referring to Renato Sanches ... Clement's pet.

Yes indeed ... Benda was compromised because in possession, he was ready to play Martin's Madness, but nobody else on field was, wanted the ball, and handled the ball like a hot potato when they had it, then losing it in dangerous positions.

 

[ivoralljack]

Very annoying result in that the comms at times seemed very impressed with our football - except of course Fisher's fannying about which was described as suicidal. Some stats:

POSSESSION: 48-52 SHOTS: 20-10 OT: 4-5 CORNERS: 12-3 FOULS: 12-8 GOALS: 1-1

From their slightly lower level of possession Stoke exerted far more pressure if you look at the corners stat - we had 4 x the pressure to deal with from that particular set-piece. They also contrived to have 2 x the efforts on goal although our accuracy from ours was quite impressive.

We are not far off being a decent team when we put it together and our biggest failing is inviting pressure when there is absolutely no reason to do so. We present good chances, and often goals, to our opponents instead of making them sweat blood for them.

I know this. It's all down to Martin and his stubborn insistence on playing out from the back even when under severe pressure. Is there no one with enough backbone in the team prepared to tell him how stupid this is? I know one thing for sure. Had Ducks been in this squad he would've invited the culprit to a quiet corner then head-butted some sense into him!

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Re Ducks ... I think Martin kicks a ball around with the players from time to time .... imagine what would have happened there.

 

[ivoralljack]

I know what would have happened. But it's not for the squeamish!!

 

[ivoralljack]

Another stat that has come to hand is that Stoke had 45 touches in our box compared to our 15 in theirs. That's THREE times as many. It proves that our 'possession' is taking place in areas of the pitch that isn't hurting our opponents, whilst their possession is creating havoc in our box.

I know that Martin has his stats people and they must be showing him all this. But he's doing fcuk all about it, The question is WHY NOT? Is he capable? It would seem not. He's not going to change until we're in the throes of a relegation battle and I wonder even if then. Three points on the weekend is becoming a MUST and not for the right reasons.