On the 24th August this year, I wrote about our spineless performance against Manchester City. I don’t know how well people remember that game, but it was ugly to the eye, we looked devoid of any type of passion for the cause, we looked unfit and inept in all departments. It was a pitiful shambles, and judging by the comments on the post, everyone agreed.

What we saw today against Stoke was a far cry from the Citeh performance. We witnessed grit, determination and passion. And up against a Stoke side who were out to defend, to hassle, to frustrate and to generally play Championship football, we had to be.

OK, so technically we were’nt so spectacular today and at times we seemed to huff and puff a little, but the fact remains that it was always going to be hard to break down a Stoke side who had 10 players in their own half after our equaliser and who were out to waste time at any opportunity they were given. There was no time for pretty football today, what was required was a gutsy, hard-fought performance and that’s exactly what we got.

There were some areas that really stood out to me today as important to our victory; Work Rate, Team Spirit, and Tactics

Work Rate
As I have already outlined, Stoke were here to scrape a result, with a draw probably making their entire Christmas – especially after scoring early on. The goal was a case of switching off at a set-piece and unfortunately the blame for that does have to lie with our very own Ginger Pele (who incidently went on to have a great game). The players had to battle and to fight for everything today and I believe that had they not done, we could have easily gone on to lost the game. We kept our cool when things were heating up and on the ball (at times) showed great composure and patiece – although sometimes a little too much.

Zola seems to have instilled a great work ethic amongst the players, all working for each other and together. The fitness of the players has vastly improved since the beginning of the season and certain players are starting to take games like this by the scruff of the neck. Players like Behrami, Parker and even Louis Boa Morte really stood out for me today. Very impressed.

I think we got what we deserved. I’m pleased; it makes a big, big difference for us. – Zola

Team Spirit
Lack of team spirit is what undone Stoke – quick mention to everyone around me in the Centenary Lower who were giving Fuller no-end of stick for being generally an arrogant, cocky so and so. I don’t know what it was like in other areas of the ground, but generally I like to think we wound him up so much he couldn’t take it anymore and lashed out at his own player. What a cracking example of a true gentleman and professional.

Anyway

As for our team spirit, I think today it has been one of the strongest I have seen it for a long while. Zola has our players working truly as a team now, and if we want to continue to press on and improve, that is a vital foundation. You can have all the money in the world (City) but without team spirit and work ethic, you will struggle. Particularly in hard fought games like today.

There was no getting at each other when we were getting no rewards for our hard work and there was no getting up in the quite shoddy referees face today – even though at times he really did deserve it. Credit to LBM for going over late on the first half to quietly suggest that their time wasting right on the edge of the pitch could easily have been done off of it, and we could have all got on nicely with a game of football.

Tactics
In my opinion, a lot of credit has to go to Zola and Clark today for getting the tactics and strategy spot on. As soon as Fuller saw red, Stoke were all set our for slowing the game up, and putting every man behind the ball. For long periods of the game, Zola stuck with his plan frm the outset, but the inclusion of Mullins, for me, was really what I felt opened the game up. It allowed for the extra player, Tristan, up front without sacrificing our solidarity in the middle. Mullins is a very composed player and was able to sit in the centre of a three man midfield, and break the game up – allowing for more men to get forward and ultimately secure the second goal.

It was a long while coming and Stoke were hard to break down, but the patience paid off.

Individuals:

- I thought that Behrami was absolutely brilliant today and proving to be worth every penny that we paid for him.
- Credit to Carlton today for scoring his 2nd in two games, but he still missed a couple of easier chances earlier on the game and he needs to continue to work to put some of those away
- Louis Boa Morte was a workhorse for us today. He has the tendancy to drift inside, and to give away stupid fouls – but great effort nonetheless.
- I could go on and on with these, but I felt that these three particularly were worth mentioning – maybe stick Collison in there too. And Parker. And Upson, Collins too. I’ll stop there I think!

The referee was a joke today, I don’t know his name and I won’t go to the effor to learn it, but I know he looked a lot like Steve Lomas. He fell for every dirty little attempt at ‘gamesmanship’ that the Championship Stoke side attemtped and was mugged off on several occasions by their timewasting. As the crowd were singing, with performances like that, you can stick “respect up you ar*e”

Zola is slowly turning this around, and I think if we can manufacture a win against Newcastle next, we will have 2 massive home games against Fulham and Hull – full points against these two would see us securing a place further up the league.

And Spurs lost. Ha

COYI!

Sam

You can view highlights of the game here

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