Stoke

In truth we were far from awful today. In fact we were probably the better team in the first half and it was some frankly shambolic defending that cost us the match.

As per usual a few team changes with Healy and Moore forming a new striking partnership with Howson tucked in behind them. First few minutes were fairly non-descript – our midfield battling well to break up any play from Stoke. Then a needless corner given away, crap marking and a free header at the near post meant we were one down.

It took us a few more minutes to realise Stoke were as poor as us and once we did we dominated the rest of the half. However, as per usual we made few decent chances and when we did actually score it was a bit of a surprise with too many crosses played in towards no-one. Neat interplay down the right gave Healy time to cross and Moore showed the determination sadly lacking from most of our other strikers to force his way past the defender and head home.

We definitely had Stoke rocking at this point with misplaced passes and sliced clearances making them look like us. However they made it to half-time and regrouped enough to mean the 2nd half was a different story.

Just before the 2nd goal, Warner stayed on his line as the ball was being ushered back to him and got a bollocking from the defenders, this was to have repercussions later. We never really got the ball cleared after that and from a corner, a weak shot from the edge of the area was deflected and going wide until Ugo stuck a foot out and directed it inside the post. We were still in the game at this point before the 3rd goal killed it, we’d escaped once when Warner came running out of his goal unnecessarily and caused panic, but the real disaster was to come. A long pass forward found Ehiogu comfortably in front of Fuller and in control of the situation, Warner rushed out and they got in each others way as the ball trickled past both of them leaving an open goal. They then spend the next 60 seconds head to head blaming each other as their team-mates watched on.

After that it could easily have got worse – Ehiogu made a great block and Warner a good save when goals looked certain and we only really managed a couple of long shots from Richardson in return. Kandol had come on from Westlake by now – with Healy and Moore going wide but it made no difference.

Scores
Warner 3 – One good save but judgement on when to come for the ball is appalling.

Richardson 6 – OK and much better than Foxe but still trying to do too much at times – keep it simple.

Lewis 7 – Again our main attacking route seemed to be via the left-back, did alright.

Heath 5 – He’s a 5 out of ten type player

Ehiogu 5 – Actually pretty decent game apart from their last 2 goals.

Derry 5 – Worked hard but wasteful with the ball.

Westlake 4 – Anonymous, booked and subbed.

Douglas 6 – Tried hard, supported forwards, but achieved little.

Howson 7 – Neat and tidy – always gave the ball to a white shirt but didn’t really make anything happen.

Healy 5 – Going going ….

Moore 6 – At least he tried – deserved a goal for effort.


Matt