Stoke City v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[mike]

Great, thrilled. Fulham and Blackburn go to the home of giants and get a point. And West Brom get a point against Man City, the first team to stop them scoring. But hey, we looked improved in losing at home to Arsenal and we got a point against the mighty Stoke. Let off the party poppers.

[Lobsterboy]

Great, thrilled. Fulham and Blackburn go to the home of giants and get a point. And West Brom get a point against Man City, the first team to stop them scoring. But hey, we looked improved in losing at home to Arsenal and we got a point against the mighty Stoke. Let off the party poppers.

Cheer up fella, we get a chance to beat one of those 'giants' on Saturday and if we do then you can go mad with those party poppers

[dave.woodhall]

We don't have the players with the control to play pretty football, thought Mcleish went after the point and got it, it was more stop them than beat them. I would have rather seen Gardner given a chace than the Fonz who has skill but very little drive or power.Two good play makers Ireland and Bannon were left on the bench, says it all really.

Says what? That we needed stronger players to combat the most physical side in the league?

You think the Fonz is a strong player do you Dave?

I think our central midfielders were.

[mike]

Great, thrilled. Fulham and Blackburn go to the home of giants and get a point. And West Brom get a point against Man City, the first team to stop them scoring. But hey, we looked improved in losing at home to Arsenal and we got a point against the mighty Stoke. Let off the party poppers.

Cheer up fella, we get a chance to beat one of those 'giants' on Saturday and if we do then you can go mad with those party poppers

I'm sure you knew this, but I was quoting our manager about Liverpool being giants. If we beat Chelsea I will do more than let off party poppers.

[Witton Warrior]

To go there and keep a clean sheet is a good effort, their manager, Tiny Penis,

That's a terrible thing to say - but I laughed!

[Lobsterboy]

Great, thrilled. Fulham and Blackburn go to the home of giants and get a point. And West Brom get a point against Man City, the first team to stop them scoring. But hey, we looked improved in losing at home to Arsenal and we got a point against the mighty Stoke. Let off the party poppers.

Cheer up fella, we get a chance to beat one of those 'giants' on Saturday and if we do then you can go mad with those party poppers

I'm sure you knew this, but I was quoting our manager about Liverpool being giants. If we beat Chelsea I will do more than let off party poppers.

I did and if we do beat them then that'll be you and me both doing more than letting off party poopers!

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Nzogbia worked hard tonight, but he has got to work on his composure in front of goal. Three times a week in training concentrate on going round a man and hitting the target. Impressed with big Brad, Clarke and Cuellar tonight. 1pt in Nine is still poor .......

[taylorsworkrate]

Very turgid, poor game of football.

We at least tried to pass the ball, but were lacking in quality in the final third. Bannan or Ireland could have won us that game late on.

[villaparkb6]

as a villa fan i know ive paid to watch some shite this season, but im glad i dont pay to watch the utter shit stoke play, fuckin anti football or what..........wankers, ..................better football slowly by the villa

[N'Rexy]

I thought we did well. We looked controlled, organised, and we seem to have the makings of a good 442 with proper widemen emerging. We looked fit and we looked cohesive. All things that I would not have accused us of 4 weeks ago. Something has changed in the squad and its happened in the last few weeks. For the first time this season I see a tiny bit of light at the end of this long dark tunnel.

[PaulWinch again]

As I said in the match thread, I think Clark is a better midfield prospect for us than Herd. I like Herd but I think he's all energy with a lack of composure, whereas Clark has class about him. Also I'm very pleased that Guzan has really developed, his command of his area was excellent.

[SoccerHQ]

It's notable that Albrighton had a really good game against Arsenal in a far more technical match, but struggled against the physicality of Stoke today.

There was no room for the wingers - did you see how they had moved the touch line in to protect their full backs and make it easier for the long throws.

Yep that's the problem with playing out and out wide players there, they can be very easily marked out of the game due to the small pitch.

Overall though, considering the level we're now at I'd say that's one of our better away points this season.

[Walmley_Villa]

A good if unspectacular draw. We competed well and continued to try and play football but lacked the killer ball and composure upfront. CNZ is definitely getting there but I must give Stan credit for being a good captain and influence in recent games.

[Percy McCarthy]

Nice to read some positive stuff on here after the last couple of games. Not because I enjoy blind faith or optimism, but because these posts reflect and acknowledge there are genuine bright spots emerging. If I had to read yet another post (or thousand-word article in the fanzine) that included the phrase 'it's as if the board set out to deliberately undo all their good work and alienate as many fans as possible' I think I'd slash my wrists.

[Matt Collins]

Swansea really is the must win game. Any sense in resting a couple - like stan or albrighton - v Chelsea or is that folly?