Nzonzi: Potters need front-foot policy to keep points rolling in
STEVEN Nzonzi says Stoke's next target is to add an attacking threat to go with their magnificent defence.
The Potters kept their third clean sheet in four games in Saturday's goalless draw at Aston Villa, but rarely looked like scoring themselves in a dour game.
Nzonzi says he is proud to be part of a side who have conceded just 12 goals in their 16 league games this season.
However, he says they also want to offer more going forward, having only netted 14.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Wednesday, May 22 2013
He said: "This was a good game and we are happy with the draw away from home.
"Defensively we are very good, that is the most important thing. But as soon as we can get clean sheets, it is always important to score more goals."
The £3m signing from Blackburn has been an important part of City's defensive record as he has excelled as a holding midfielder.
He matched those high standards on Saturday as he intercepted Villa attacks and also kept the ball to take pressure off his defence.
He says Stoke have such a good defensive record because the whole team play their part.
He added: "It's all the team – the back four, the midfielders and the strikers. We work hard together, so that is why at the moment we are so good defensively."
The 23-year-old has quickly become a favourite with the Stoke supporters who chanted his name repeatedly during Saturday's game at Villa Park.
He looks an early contender to be Stoke's player of the year, although skipper Ryan Shawcross should also be in contention after another superb performance alongside German centre-half Robert Huth at the heart of the impenetrable Stoke defence on Saturday.
Asmir Begovic should also be among the front runners, although the keeper didn't have much to trouble him on Saturday.
Nzonzi says he appreciates the way Stoke fans have got behind him since his summer switch from relegated Blackburn.
He added: "That makes me very happy and I want to thank them for supporting me and the team. They are very good like that.
"I feel good, but of course as you play more games you can improve. I am improving every week."
Meanwhile, Nzonzi believes team-mate Ryan Shotton was desperately unlucky to be sent off.
The defender picked up a second yellow card in injury time for an apparent trip on midfielder Fabian Delph as Villa tried to hit Stoke on the break.
However, replays suggested if there was any contact, it was accidental as the Stoke defender appeared to be trying to avoid Delph as he attempted to launch an attack.
Nzonzi added: "I don't really think that it deserved a yellow card.
"Maybe he touched him a bit, but it wasn't a big foul to deserve a yellow card."
Comments
by Stars-stripes
Thursday, December 13 2012, 12:02AM
“Fantastic player”
by RobertoVerdi
Wednesday, December 12 2012, 9:00PM
“Dummer,
Are you really as thick as you make out? I commented on N'Zonzi's desire for more attacking football...but it may have gone over your head coz it didn't involve being negative towards Pulis-- or anyone else for that matter.
Do I have to come over to Myrtle Beach and "Beach-Slap"some sense into your doltish head? Or just teach you how to read?!!!?”
by summertime
Wednesday, December 12 2012, 8:50PM
“verdi, are you really a fan of Robert Green ? Also, and on a much more important matter, what do you think of N'Zonzi saying the Potters need a front foot policy to address their lack of goal scoring as mentioned in the article. Now I realize you never have any comments about football or Stoke City and I can only assume that it's because you have no opinion or you just don't have a clue about anything, so take your time, use google to find out who N'Zonzi is and who the Potters are etc and we will all await and look forward to your input into this discussion.”
by RobertoVerdi
Wednesday, December 12 2012, 8:33PM
“Dummertime,
That would be the art of balanced constructive criticism without always looking for the worst in everything.”
by summertime
Wednesday, December 12 2012, 7:36PM
“ok verdi, thank you, go ahead show me how it's done. I'm waiting.
errm, how what's done ?”
by RobertoVerdi
Wednesday, December 12 2012, 7:30PM
“Dummertime, let me show you how it's done...
I am so proud of our team for having the best defensive record in the whole country. That is a magnificent achievement! Kudos to Tony Pulis, his staff and all the players for doing such a good job.
I hope we can open it up a little going forward. I would love to see more goals and more creativity in attack. It would be great to see Crouchie and Owen give it a go together from the start on Saturday just to see if class really is permanent. Seems like it would be worth a gamble.
Either way, I'm sure we'll put in another disciplined, tough performance and maintain our solid start to the season.
Keep up the good work lads!”
by LiamOSullivan
Tuesday, December 11 2012, 3:36PM
“Yawn yawn yawn.
What exactly is yours?”
by summertime
Tuesday, December 11 2012, 3:20PM
“Osullivan, what exactly is your point ? We had conceded 25 in 16 games last season but we were higher up in the league with more points !!”
by LiamOSullivan
Tuesday, December 11 2012, 2:37PM
“"Anybody can put 9 men behind the ball to defend and try not to concede"
"True", but very, very few teams succeed unlike the Potters. The remarkable thing about our defensive record is that we even conceded four against Manu. This aside, we've only conceded 8 in our remaining 15 games.”
by Stars-stripes
Monday, December 10 2012, 11:04PM
“I don't pass it off as good form. The form book does. Check your facts”