Stoke City on trial by TV after Manchester United misery
STOKE City's players were set to be subjected to their own video nasty in training today.
The 4-2 defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday conjured up the best and worst of the Potters as they suffered more misery from a trip to Manchester United.
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Manchester United's Robin van Persie was given time and space to score past Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
Manager Tony Pulis was left delighted with his side's attacking display... but shaking his head at their defensive show which saw them succumb for the fifth successive time at the 'Theatre of Dreams'.
Wayne Rooney's own goal had deservedly put Stoke ahead in the first half, but the England striker capitalised on some slack defending to level.
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Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck were also afforded time and space to make their mark either side of half-time.
Michael Kightly dragged Stoke back into contention with a fine solo goal, before Rooney added a fourth to kill off City hopes.
"The goals before and after half-time killed us in lots of respects," said Pulis, right.
"I thought our defending at times on some of the goals was very poor. And when you've got Rooney, van Persie, Welbeck and the likes, you've got to defend well.
"It was a very poor goal for us," he said of Danny Welbeck's third goal. "You can't switch off against top teams and we did that on four or five occasions.
"Even after making it 3-2, if you can keep it at that then they get a bit nervous, but then we concede a fourth.
"It's disappointing to have gone so close and still come away with nothing in the end."
Not that Pulis overlooked events early in the afternoon as Stoke produced all the chances in the first quarter of the contest after the likes of Charlie Adam played their part in a stirring start.
"I thought he played well, especially first half when he pulled the strings for us," explained Pulis.
"The first half was most probably the best we've played at United.
"There was lots of energy and quality... and we were really disappointed not to be more than one up.
"(David) de Gea made two great saves and we had other opportunities to score.
"The lads were gutted in the dressing-room at half-time to be 2-1 down. It was pretty unfair, but it's an unfair game."
However, Pulis still rates the late 1-0 defeat at Chelsea last month as the superior performance overall.
Stoke appeared destined for a well-earned point until Ashley Cole popped up in the final few minutes to score.
"I still think Chelsea away was the best we've played, but we created a lot of chances against United," he added.
"I think our supporters appreciate they have seen their team play really well and compete really well."
Match analysis and reaction from Old Trafford: Pages 44 to 47
Comments
by PeterPotter
Monday, October 22 2012, 11:18PM
“Maybe by showing his squad such videos he can shame Walters into playing better.
Does he show videos of how his tactics are implemented too ? that would be a good laugh”
by LiamOSullivan
Monday, October 22 2012, 1:26PM
“Problem is Pulis doesnt have a part in his team for Owen. He chased the player for four years but he never even gave thought to how he would employ him. Stoke only plays with one striker these days and Crouch, our tpscorer, is undroppable. Dropping our other undroppable player, Walters, to make room for him, wouldn't do Owen any favours either as he doesnt do trackbacks and wing play. If we were to revert to 4-4-2 it would mean dropping Charlie Adam, as he's too weak defensively to play deeper in midfield.”
by 8thewarren
Monday, October 22 2012, 1:01PM
“we were opened up at the back thats for sure our solid defence at time looked like a bucket with a hole in it why rooney cant play like that for England it remains to be a mystery any case did i see joh walters come off instead of the usual subs we do need to play other players from the start to give us a different look we are becoming to predictable with all aspects of our game including subs overall we look a lot better squad now but we must pick up more points cus we aren,t playing bad”
by Bernwa
Monday, October 22 2012, 12:33PM
“This years performances so far have given lots of hope for the rest of the season.
However Stoke still have two major problems to overcome.
More players should have a go at the goal more often. Michael Kightly showed how this should be done, as has Peter Crouche on many occasions in the past.
Too many matches are lost in the last ten minutes - somehow they must find the energy to plug this hole in their game.
Give Michael Owen some full games. It is unfair on him and the fans to expect him to perform in the last fifteen minutes or so when we are having to concentrate more on defence.
I'm sure if these things are sorted, we could have a very good season !”