Stoke City fan Adrian Pearce has his say on events at the Britannia Stadium

LIKE so many other Stokies, I was bitterly disappointed by our Carling Cup defeat to Derby.

But I've also become increasingly concerned about our form over the last three games.

Against Derby, we never looked like we wanted the win. Too many of our players were never at the races. Seyi Olofinjana lacked any flair. Other than playing "hoof" ball, he offered little throughout the game.

The usually reliable Mama Sidibe, Stoke's most improved player this season, has increasingly looked off the pace over the last three games. He won very little against a resilient Derby defence, and also struggled against Hull. In fact, he has done little recently, apart from his goal against West Brazil.

As for our special star, Ricardo Fuller, he needs a kick up the backside. Now Ric can be an excellent striker, but if he put half as much effort into his finishing as he does moaning to referees, he'd be worth £15m.

Against Derby, Stoke lacked creativity. They were then unable to change their style of play when it became clear their game plan wasn't working. Time and time again, the midfield was so deep that high balls were "hoofed" from defence to attack, only to come straight back because Sidibe, these days wearing his concrete boots, couldn't keep possession.

Diao didn't play against Derby, but as he now seems to be a first-team regular, will probably be back for the Newcastle match.

You have to ask yourself why? He constantly loses the ball in dangerous positions and is worth no more than a place on the bench.

Change is needed. Why on earth Michael Tonge and Glenn Whelan are not playing is beyond me. They bring something to the team that it is certainly lacking at present.

Teams realise Stoke can hurt them with Rory Delap's rocket throw-ins, but what has happened to the opportunities they used to create? It's gone to pot because Sidibe is now being out-muscled and hardly wins a header.

It would be easy to blame referee Rob Styles for the defeat against Derby, but Stoke had chances to finish the game off way before his controversial penalty decision.

Stoke were poor. They didn't do enough to win the game. Derby, on the other hand, never stopped trying to create options. They wanted the result more than we did.

Our fans know this. That's why the atmosphere for our last three games has been more like that found in a mortuary than the rip-roaring Brit of earlier in the season.

If the team puts the effort in, we will clap, sing and chant all day long – win, lose or draw – but action is needed. Please, Mr Pulis, don't be afraid of change. Embrace it.

Adrian Pearce is a Stoke City fan. His views do not necessarily reflect those of The Sentinel