Stoke City v Aston Villa Match Thread

[phantom limb]

We've done ok but the final spot on MOTD beckons

[ciggiesnbeer]

A point at Stoke will be better than er...not getting a point at Stoke, right?

We should win this. Sod a point.

[eric woolban woolban]

Seems like both teams are doing there level best to be last on motd.

[pauliewalnuts]

Definitely not too bad there, we look a bit like we have more variation going forward.

I feel sorry for the bloke because he clearly wants to do well, but Tonev has been abject, and really needs to come off.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Cloggers City 0 Aston Cloggers 0

Can't wait for the second half.

[JUAN PABLO]

not bad - I thought if we just get to HT 0-0  , I think we could go on and nick it   should be 10 men for stoke - stoke had half chances  , villa at times played some decent quick football

clark and marc good

tonev     rubbish

[pbavfckuwait]

We have been rubbish but Stoke are worse to lose to this lot is totally unacceptable

[Morten]

Decent first half, yes, better than I thought.

Bacuna for Tonev could be good.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Can Bacuna play on the left?

[supertom]

Not too bad so far. There's a bit of balance to the side with this system. A bit of composure and and consideration we should be able to open them up.
Defensively we've been okay, though Lowton got skinned far too easily at one point.

Kozak and Weimann are working hard. Linked up at the end there, but Weimann lashed at it.
I'd like to see Westwood commanding the game a bit more. He's got to be the one starting things off and making things happen but his passing has been under par at times. Likewise Delph needs to keep his passing simple, because it's not his strength.

Tonev is disappointing. He's got no composure at all. It's full pelt or nothing. No touch the boy. But if we get him in behind he will cause problems.

Alby has looked lively.

Tight game, could go either way. Not nearly as horrendous as we might have expected. Stoke are a hard side to beat on their turf, but I think we could see Kozak getting some joy if Alby can whip in a few more balls.

Credit to Baker and Herd in the middle too. They've done well so far. It's hardly an ideal pairing, but so far they've kept Crouch and their no 10 pretty quiet.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

get tonev off  bring on Bacuna  and we could nick this 1 0

If we manage to get a free kick it could be ideal. I really can't see us scoring from open play. Tonev is probably the worst Villa player I've seen in years. Shockingly poor.

[PGW]

We've done ok but the final spot on MOTD beckons

Sunderland v Norwich could pip us to it!!!

[Goldie.7]

Single out Tonev time.

[David_Nab]

Definitely not too bad there, we look a bit like we have more variation going forward.

I feel sorry for the bloke because he clearly wants to do well, but Tonev has been abject, and really needs to come off.

Done well tracking back but going forward he has been woeful.

Had slightly the better of it IMO and they should be down to 10

[supertom]

Can Bacuna play on the left?

He can play either side apparently. I think cutting in from the left he has a good striker on him, so I'd like to see Leandro come on at some point. I'd give Tonev 10 more minutes though. He could have some joy.