Simon Lowe: We're up and running, but questions need answering
THREE points, two goals and one clean sheet.
That makes for a good Saturday in anybody's book.
Not that the victory was a classic, or entertaining.
But Stoke brushed a poor Swansea team aside without too much effort. Job done.
Call WHITEGATES Today 01782 209935 ..Limited offer. Available only up on production of voucher. Sell your home for £399 plus vat.* #EPC is required to market your home not included in offer.
Terms: *Upfront payment, non-refundable in the event of property remaining unsold, being withdrawn from the market or being sold by another agent, yourself or by any other means.#EPC £62.50 plus vat.
Contact: 01782 209 935
Valid until: Thursday, July 04 2013
The game did raise a few questions, though.
Some important ones like where is Jermaine Pennant, why did Michael Owen not get another run out and has Tony Pulis actually told Geoff Cameron to get the byline or is he risking the wrath of the 'Capped One' by deserting his right-back station to attack?
Others more random... does Asmir Begovic have a different-coloured strip for every game, how come top-four clubs allowed little old Stoke to sign the midfield god that is Steven Nzonzi and why did the Swansea kit man place what appeared to be three cans of Guinness strategically along the edge of Michael Laudrup's technical area?
That's how riveting parts of the second half were – until Matty Etherington appeared to liven things up in his most promising cameo for months.
We can't ignore the fact there was another yellow card for a diving opponent on Saturday, although as yet it doesn't result in the three-match ban that Tony Pulis has argued for.
And for the eagle-eyed who watched both the live match and the Match of the Day highlights, you might be forgiven for wondering why the editorial team chose to leave out David Luiz's latest swan dive and resulting yellow card as Chelsea beat Arsenal.
Thankfully on Saturday Ben Davies' David Luiz impression was spotted by the quietly impressive referee Jon Moss and retribution dished out.
When will these people learn and play the game?
On a more positive note, that's now 10 top-flight home games without defeat for Stoke – a record not matched since 1973.
Those were the glory days of Tony Waddington's dashing, uncompromising team.
With the next four matches at the Britannia Stadium seeing visits from Sunderland, QPR, Fulham and Newcastle, it means that run could go on and on.
Just take a moment to wallow in the joy of witnessing the best period in Stoke City's history for nearly 40 years.
Comments
by PeterPotter
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 5:44PM
“unless theses people you mention are neutrals mentioning Pulis and not mentioning Sunderland, why would a Stoke fan be concerned with any other team ?”
by jtflint2010
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 5:38PM
“Keep mentioning this around match-day but Sunderland have just come off a bad run as well, stretching back further than ours in terms of not being able to get a win. Yet in both the media and by people who have an agenda against TP, this wasn't mentioned often if at all. I'm all for being concerned about affairs in house rather than focussing on the problems of other teams but I think it's a stat worthy of mention considering questions weren't being asked of Martin O'Neill.”
by PeterPotter
Monday, October 01 2012, 2:31PM
“bloody hell, 40 years between bouts of good football ! Let's hope Pulis has the where with all to keep it going; although I don't think 1 win every 12 games will do it !”