Stoke City 0 - 2 Man. Utd
.. it doesn't reflect the game at all. United were simply far better than us on the day, despite the fact they weren't at their best themselves. It was a Stoke display devoid of any drive, purpose or ambition. It was against the best team in England, true, however that does not excuse the whimper with which Stoke.
It was an interesting game, to be quite honest. Footballing wise, not particularly brilliant. Despite this, watching the Bolton fans barrack Gary Megson from the 15th minute was a funny (if not depressing) sight. Megson is what he is and Bolton are what they are - a match made in heaven. Megson's grit will probably see them stay up again this year and in this era of multi-billionaire owners that's all that they, and indeed Stoke, can hope for.
Onto the game and clearly I am disappointed that we've considered late on once again. I'm not sure whether it was down to tired legs or a tired mind - all I do know that it was a horribly reckless challenge and one at that stage should not have been made. There's nothing like gifting a penalty to the opposition when there is no apparent need is there? It was Sonko-esque.
Having said that, Collins had defended stoutly up until his stupid challenge and generally I thought we played well, with Kitson particularly impressive. It's good to see he has found a role in the side and he does seem to have applied himself considerably better than he did last season.
Onto Blackpool then ... it will be an opportunity to view Arismendi for the first time. Hopefully he will provide a bit of bite to the midfield - something not apparent in Dean Whitehead's play.
Onto the game and clearly I am disappointed that we've considered late on once again. I'm not sure whether it was down to tired legs or a tired mind - all I do know that it was a horribly reckless challenge and one at that stage should not have been made. There's nothing like gifting a penalty to the opposition when there is no apparent need is there? It was Sonko-esque.
Having said that, Collins had defended stoutly up until his stupid challenge and generally I thought we played well, with Kitson particularly impressive. It's good to see he has found a role in the side and he does seem to have applied himself considerably better than he did last season.
Onto Blackpool then ... it will be an opportunity to view Arismendi for the first time. Hopefully he will provide a bit of bite to the midfield - something not apparent in Dean Whitehead's play.
And as disappointing as it was at the time, when one reflects upon the game the number of attacks that they had in the second period meant that they were likely to stick the ball past Steve Simonsen at some point - the only thing that sticks in the craw is it came so late!
Setting up 5-3-2 you could pre-empt our approach to the game. In all honesty, scoring was an unexpected bonus. After we had scored, the same problems began to surface - we are simply incapable of keeping the ball. No one expects Stoke to dominate in the possession stakes, though we do not appear to want to pass the ball around and make the opposition work hard.
Perhaps the players are required to work 'arrd because they spend 80% of their time chasing the ball? Perhaps we'd be better served keeping the ball and tiring out the opposition?
Yes, yes, it's Chelsea and we should (and I am) delighted we came so close to snatching a point yesterday, though our lack of ability in possession doesn't just apply to this game - it's a recurring theme.
Oh well, plenty of bravery and graft yesterday, which was particularly admirable. Onto Chelsea's antics, well ....
Setting up 5-3-2 you could pre-empt our approach to the game. In all honesty, scoring was an unexpected bonus. After we had scored, the same problems began to surface - we are simply incapable of keeping the ball. No one expects Stoke to dominate in the possession stakes, though we do not appear to want to pass the ball around and make the opposition work hard.
Perhaps the players are required to work 'arrd because they spend 80% of their time chasing the ball? Perhaps we'd be better served keeping the ball and tiring out the opposition?
Yes, yes, it's Chelsea and we should (and I am) delighted we came so close to snatching a point yesterday, though our lack of ability in possession doesn't just apply to this game - it's a recurring theme.
Oh well, plenty of bravery and graft yesterday, which was particularly admirable. Onto Chelsea's antics, well ....
Yes, him. After the inspired signings of defenders McShane and Sonko, Phil Brown has added Hessilink to the squad on a free transfer. Hull chairmen Paul Duffen reported that they had to stave off interest from other Premier League clubs!
"We've wanted an experienced, top-drawer striker who scores goals and Jan has scored prolifically in top leagues in Europe," Duffen said. "It's what we need. We didn't score enough goals last season. Going forward we have a lot of new talent and Jan will play his part in using his experience to settle them down. We've been looking at Jan since July and are really pleased we've turned his head. He's been looking at other big clubs in Europe but the Premier League is where he wants to come and play with us."
First off, Hessilink comes off a stint in the Scottish Premier League ... it hardly represents the sternest test of a player's credentials. Secondly, whilst their problem last season may have been scoring goals, you be sure this season they will have no problem conceding them. The departure of Turner, plus the addition of Donks and McShane leaves them in defensive disarray. Then weigh in the fact they have the anonymous Olofinjana in front of them .. promising, isn't it?
Be fair though, they've done well to turn his head. It's only taken him to the end of the transfer window to make his mind up ... no hint of him holding out for a different club to come along. He's past his best .. he knows it, every club in Europe knows it, Paul Duffen doesn't want to accept it.
"We've wanted an experienced, top-drawer striker who scores goals and Jan has scored prolifically in top leagues in Europe," Duffen said. "It's what we need. We didn't score enough goals last season. Going forward we have a lot of new talent and Jan will play his part in using his experience to settle them down. We've been looking at Jan since July and are really pleased we've turned his head. He's been looking at other big clubs in Europe but the Premier League is where he wants to come and play with us."
First off, Hessilink comes off a stint in the Scottish Premier League ... it hardly represents the sternest test of a player's credentials. Secondly, whilst their problem last season may have been scoring goals, you be sure this season they will have no problem conceding them. The departure of Turner, plus the addition of Donks and McShane leaves them in defensive disarray. Then weigh in the fact they have the anonymous Olofinjana in front of them .. promising, isn't it?
Be fair though, they've done well to turn his head. It's only taken him to the end of the transfer window to make his mind up ... no hint of him holding out for a different club to come along. He's past his best .. he knows it, every club in Europe knows it, Paul Duffen doesn't want to accept it.
Despite being unable to capture two other players he wanted, overall Pulis will be extremely satisfied with this window's activity. He's added more flair to the side in Tuncay, whilst Robert Huth is sure to provide good competition for Faye and Shawcross. Collins will provide cover at left-back and Diego Arismendi will hopefully add some bite in the midfield.
No mention of Whitehead ...
The disappointing aspect to the Sonko deal is that it is only a loan. It hasn't happened for him at Stoke, however there is a player in there somewhere - some of his time at Reading is testament to that.
Still, it looks as if Pulis is doing his best to sabotage Hull - first Olofinjana, now Sonko. Friends close, enemies closer, eh ....
Stoke yesterday announced the signing of Uraguayn international Digeo Arismendi. Arismendi is something of an unknown quantity in England, though Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has seen enough potential for him to part with the tidy sum of £5m. Going by the nickname "The Destroyer", Arismendi is renowned for hard tackling (which his disciplinary record validates!).
In other news, Stoke are expected to tie up the signing of Danny Collins from Sunderland. This deal has been well publicised and Collins will provide competition for the left-back berth currently occupied by Danny Higginbotham.
And finally, Peter Coates has talked of our intention to bring in one more player on loan. This is believed to be Martin Petrov ....
Exciting times ..
In other news, Stoke are expected to tie up the signing of Danny Collins from Sunderland. This deal has been well publicised and Collins will provide competition for the left-back berth currently occupied by Danny Higginbotham.
And finally, Peter Coates has talked of our intention to bring in one more player on loan. This is believed to be Martin Petrov ....
Exciting times ..
Stoke City secured a one nil win over Sunderland courtesy of a goal from the rejuvenated Dave Kitson. It was a precious win for the Potters as they now embark upon a tough September that includes fixtures against Machester United and Chelsea. I was satisfied with the way we played yesterday against what is a decent Sunderland outfit. I thought the tempo was considerably better than the Burnley game and although we were put under pressure by Sunderland during periods of the game, I feel we were just about the better team on the day.
I still have concerns at full-back over Higginbotham and Wilkinson, whilst Matty Etherington's form is also a worry. My personal thoughts on the full-backs are that we need to have players with more composure on the ball. Wilkinson has time on his side; Higginbotham does not. I don't believe you can argue with Higgy defensively, though his "hot potato" attitude towards the ball when he inside his own half results in us giving the opposition to attack time after time. And, popular to contrary belief, I don't think that defensively Wilkinson is all that sound. I'm concerned with his positioning in certain instances, though hopefully we can work with him in order to eradicate these flaws from his game.
And with regard Etherington, unfortunately the reports from Hammers fans are ringing true. He improved markedly in the second period, though he needs to be more willing to go past the full-back. Is it a confidence issue? Perhaps so, however with Tuncay now in the ranks he will be aware of the fact his position is now under threat.
Onto the transfer window now and reports are indicating we are making a move for Sunderland's Danny Collins and Uruguayan international Diego Arismendi. Collins would be a relatively 'safe' addition to the squad, though the move for Arismendi is an intriguing one - particularly at the reported £5m price tag.
Let's wait and see.
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