Stoke Post Match thread

[homer]

The number of morons who complained at the team selection before the game was astounding

i would suggest that anyone who questioned the selection of De Vries Cort and Campbell in a three-pronged attack (not to mention playing a right back in central midfield) was anything but a moron

They would be just ordinary football fans with a bit of common sense

 

[Jeff]

Can't remember anyone at all championing the purchase of DJ Campbell

Fludie and Lako42 were both very keen.

 

[Tamworth Fox]

Different manager same sh*t.

Right then, we had 9 out of the XVI yesterday (Henderson, McAuley, Kisnorbo, Mattock, Stearman, Newton, Hume, Fryatt & De Vries (all be it he was on loan last season). I know they didn't all play/start the game but 9 out of 16 in the previous match and it was 12 out of 16 in the Villa game (i think) of the same players as we had last season. The bulk of the players in the sixteen are the same. Did we not get rid or bring in enough players Are the players or the manager to blame for lack of results, managers have come and go, but the majority of players have stayed!

 

[PFKAKTF FOX]

I am going to defend Megson *prepares tin hat*

Granted he royally fecked up the team selection on saturday, but he was man enough to admit he made a mistake and made the necessary changes. In terms of the criticism in selecting so many defensive players, I really cannot see what else he can do.

He has switched, rightly IMO to a 3-5-2 but due to the injury to Weso and the lack of quality midfielders in the squad (not Megson's fault) he has had to use Chambers out of position, also the criticism levelled at him for selecting more defensive options at wingback, both Brian Little and MON did exactly the same at first, building defensive stability and confidence before becoming more adventurous and attack minded.

I think the fact that Megson has come in still managed to get results, 2 wins and 2 draws in 5 matches ain't that bad a start, changed the formation and the way we play whilst having to cope with gaps in the squad, is testament to his organisational skills, hopefully over the coming weeks if he can bring in 3 or 4 players that can come in and strengthen the team, I think we will begin to see the makings of a system and team that could still have a decent season.

 

[Melton Fox]

Well said Pinky

 

[PFKAKTF FOX]

Well said Pinky

Cheers Melts, the truth is that the feckwit that is Martin Allen and Mandaric between them failed to identify and sign enough quality in the summer and there are still problem positions in the squad that have yet to be rectified, no fault of Megson's.

The fact that Hume, Fryatt and MDV still represent our best options up front shows the poor judgement and waste of resources demonstrated by the odd couple, hopefully Megson can plug the gaps and bring in the additional quality required.

 

[newtonfox]

I am going to defend Megson *prepares tin hat*

Granted he royally fecked up the team selection on saturday, but he was man enough to admit he made a mistake and made the necessary changes. In terms of the criticism in selecting so many defensive players, I really cannot see what else he can do.

He has switched, rightly IMO to a 3-5-2 but due to the injury to Weso and the lack of quality midfielders in the squad (not Megson's fault) he has had to use Chambers out of position, also the criticism levelled at him for selecting more defensive options at wingback, both Brian Little and MON did exactly the same at first, building defensive stability and confidence before becoming more adventurous and attack minded.

I think the fact that Megson has come in still managed to get results, 2 wins and 2 draws in 5 matches ain't that bad a start, changed the formation and the way we play whilst having to cope with gaps in the squad, is testament to his organisational skills, hopefully over the coming weeks if he can bring in 3 or 4 players that can come in and strengthen the team, I think we will begin to see the makings of a system and team that could still have a decent season.

well said mate

 

[Matt_B]

Cheers Melts, the truth is that the feckwit that is Martin Allen and Mandaric between them failed to identify and sign enough quality in the summer and there are still problem positions in the squad that have yet to be rectified, no fault of Megson's.

The fact that Hume, Fryatt and MDV still represent our best options up front shows the poor judgement and waste of resources demonstrated by the odd couple, hopefully Megson can plug the gaps and bring in the additional quality required.

Having seen the change when they came on, on Saturday, I am tentatively excited that Hume and Fryatt may yet recreate the exciting partnership they seemed to promise before.

 

[western road]

But they require help, they dont play close enough to form a dangerous attack because one or the other is tracking back to collect.
We have no flair in midfield, we have ball winners yes but no-one to supply the front men, I could understand ball winners in midfield if we had men down the flanks, which we dont.

 

[alex]

I have not lost faith in DJ Campbell at all yet - he needs time to settle down too.

 

[Travelling Fox]

Firstly I think the jury is still out on Megson I will give him 5 or so more games and then I will make a judgement. I was surprised when he went for 3 attackers on Sat as I thought that it would be a more defensive team. Notwithstanding that I thought that the idea was good but Cort and MDV (allthough he was miles better than Cort) and DJ didn't step up to the mark. To be fair we were awful in the first half but were miles better in the second and we could have won it (how many times have I said that this season). Perhaps its time to experiment a bit tomorrow by keeping Hume and Fryatt up front but bring in Sappleton (he can't be any worse than Cort). My main worry is midfield Weso is out but we must have some other midfielder in the squad somewhere? (any ideas?) I think the defense is good, Mattock is improving if we can get a midfield we can move on. But please no more Cort, I am sure he is here for the paycheck !!!

 

[homer]

I have not lost faith in DJ Campbell at all yet - he needs time to settle down too.

Me neither, alex

He was bad, but not that bad on Saturday, and held the ball up well at times

The problem was that he had two completely useless twats playing alongside him, a midfield consisting of one player (Clemence), and a team tactic of banging the ball up the middle of the park where he stood no feckin' chance whtasoever

 

[alex]

Me neither, alex

He was bad, but not that bad on Saturday, and held the ball up well at times

The problem was that he had two completely useless twats playing alongside him, a midfield consisting of one player (Clemence), and a team tactic of banging the ball up the middle of the park where he stood no feckin' chance whtasoever

Quite.

Play Fryatt and DJ together up front with Hume in the 'Rooney' role....Get in to 'em...Oh, and grab a midfielder too please.

 

[homer]

Quite.

Play Fryatt and DJ together up front with Hume in the 'Rooney' role....Get in to 'em...Oh, and grab a midfielder too please.

Actually (although I believe Cort is shite) I thought it looked good with Cort and Fryatt up front, with Hume playing off them in a deeper role

A big man, with two hard workers who actually ran down the channels and created space. It is the way forward IMO

DJ only gets a bench spot for me - as he could do the same job as Fryatt or Hume

 

[Cate Fox]

I am going to defend Megson *prepares tin hat*

Granted he royally fecked up the team selection on saturday, but he was man enough to admit he made a mistake and made the necessary changes. In terms of the criticism in selecting so many defensive players, I really cannot see what else he can do.

He has switched, rightly IMO to a 3-5-2 but due to the injury to Weso and the lack of quality midfielders in the squad (not Megson's fault) he has had to use Chambers out of position, also the criticism levelled at him for selecting more defensive options at wingback, both Brian Little and MON did exactly the same at first, building defensive stability and confidence before becoming more adventurous and attack minded.

I think the fact that Megson has come in still managed to get results, 2 wins and 2 draws in 5 matches ain't that bad a start, changed the formation and the way we play whilst having to cope with gaps in the squad, is testament to his organisational skills, hopefully over the coming weeks if he can bring in 3 or 4 players that can come in and strengthen the team, I think we will begin to see the makings of a system and team that could still have a decent season.

well said..

 

[Yorkshire Vixen]

nice rant pinky

 

[H T B]

4 previous messages, 3 different pairings up front. Doesn't that reflect how hard a job GM has.
Rather than diss him for his first half selection I actually think he should be applauded. It was the players that let him and us down.
As Brian Clough once said, formations don't win you games, players do.

The second half showed we do have the players up for it, and yes, Matty Fryatt might, just might, be turning the corner, (not looking for Joey tho )

Now, let's go kick some Wolves butts.....

 

[homer]

4 previous messages, 3 different pairings up front. Doesn't that reflect how hard a job GM has.
Rather than diss him for his first half selection I actually think he should be applauded. It was the players that let him and us down.
As Brian Clough once said, formations don't win you games, players do.

The second half showed we do have the players up for it, and yes, Matty Fryatt might, just might, be turning the corner, (not looking for Joey tho )

Now, let's go kick some Wolves butts.....

I wouldn't diss him for the first half selection, I would dismiss him

Not even the most mental of individuals on this, or any other, site would have picked that team out of our supposed 45 player squad.

It was the work of a complete idiot

 

[newtonfox]

Quite.

Play Fryatt and DJ together up front with Hume in the 'Rooney' role....Get in to 'em...Oh, and grab a midfielder too please.

Actually (although I believe Cort is shite) I thought it looked good with Cort and Fryatt up front, with Hume playing off them in a deeper role

A big man, with two hard workers who actually ran down the channels and created space. It is the way forward IMO

DJ only gets a bench spot for me - as he could do the same job as Fryatt or Hume

if Cort can back to his old self we would be unstoppable IMO as long as the midfield is sorted out ,Clem Carnot do it all himself

 

[H T B]

Maybe Homer, you should take your blinkers off and see beyond your hatred for GM.