We’re not going to see the best of Pedro and Starr in this league until we get a ref who understands that holding, wrestling and shirt pulling are illegal in football.
Much much better in the 2nd half. In fairness to the manager, he seemed to be screaming at them in the first half and the message not getting through. But half time they changed for the better obviously after a talking to form Xisco. Strange set up at the start. Very encouraging signs.
A tad fortunate again, but huge 3 points; will take them however they come. We were terrible in the first half, we really need to figure out how it is that we've been starting games away from home so terribly for so long. It can't just be the manager, is it the routine? The preparation? Thankfully we got in gear for the second half. Good: Deeney - have to give credit on the very rare occasion that he does well. I'm not sure he touched the ball in the first half, but some good passes in the second. It helps him a lot when he has both JP and Sarr ahead of him to pass to though. JP - was the one bright spark in the first half and did well for the pen Sarr - a reminder of what we need to see more of from him Bachmann - looking assured Vokes - finally an appearance when he didn't score against us. Bad: Masina - a reminder of why we were looking to replace him in the PL, was giving the ball away for fun Hughes - looking like the player he was for the first half of last season, every second touch is giving away a foul. Powder puff. Cathcart - went walkabout for their goal Chester - how slow must he be if Deeney did him for pace?! One last thing - anyone else figure Collins got very lucky not to be sent off for that stamp on Clevs?
Our winner tonight had shades of February 29th 2020. Deeney with a great assist to Sarr, who runs in on goal and fires past the keeper to put us 2-0 up. All that was missing was the crowd, and the Champions elect!
Also did anyone notice that Xisco's assistant was signalling for three at the back when Wilmot came on? He immediately went into the backline and then suddenly ran out and started playing in midfield.
Deeney un does all his good work by buigging him self up on sky interview Never mind the other players. Telling that no one else was up there with him to give him the award
Amongst stiff competition, I think that was quite possibly the worst ref we've seen this season. Which is going some.
Yes SLB, first time this season we’ve won three in a row. We’ve now won 6 and drawn 1 of our last 9 too, so we are on a decent run. Just a pity one of those losses was at Swansea, as even a draw there would now make the table look very different.
By no means a classic but brilliant to get an away win, if Xisco can shake our away from home malaise and maintain the home form we are as good as up. Three wins a row makes the world seem a brighter place. As an aside, as much as I am in the Troy Deeney Fan Club and often defended him against his many doubters, I have long been a detractor of his penalty taking. Often I would have preferred to see Abdi, Pereyra or whoever taking them instead. But he has dialled up his game in the last year. He hits them REALLY hard now, and I no longer doubt he will score. By the time he is 40 he will be hitting with such power and aiming for the corners and will be the greatest of all time.
Stoke are a tough side to beat but we broke them down in the end. Should of had a penalty first half, but we won and soon as we got ahead, mentally we just do not click until we score. Nice goal from Sarr great finish, Triy "I Can Finish From Six Yards" Deeney did it again. I thought we were a bit off defensively tonight, but that could be tiredness creeping in. Bachmann no chance for their goal but overall he did well and continues to impress us. Kiko again great, Zinc has to start at Millwall surely? Brilliant bits of running in small spaces. MotM for me was Deeney. His best performance this season and hopefully a sign of consistency. Three wins in three. Let's hope tomorrow's results play nice.
Sarr's goal was probably my favourite so far this season. What a finish! Deeney best player on the pitch. 9 points in a week is excellent. COYH!
True. My frustration is his arrogance. But maybe he needs that to perform. So I guess I cant complain too much when times are good. But worry for when times get harder and other players resist him
Terrible first half. No intensity and no commitment. Masina was especially poor on the ball. Second half was much better. Deeney, Pedro and Sarr played well with limited service. Let’s hope that gives us confidence that we can perform away as well as at home. The ref was awful throughout.
Oh come on. They can't give him the award because of social distancing. He's just played well, I don't care if he wants to big himself up this time.
The trouble with no central midfield cover, 3 games in 6 days - the midfield just didn't have the legs tonight. Once again we played a fit, well organised, and quick passing unit and that first half was awful. Apart from that a great away 3 points. However that was the worst referee I have seen in years, he missed loads including a clear penalty on Massina.
And to top off a great night, there are loads of Manchester United fans crying on social media about Xisco not bringing on Garner when he was stripped and ready.
That was looking like a truly terrible game , but we won and that’s what counts we get a lot of penalties, but let’s be honest they are penalties it’s not like we are getting 50/50 decisions. It’s easy to slag Deeney off (hey I have been doing it for the last few weeks), but he can certainly take a penalty kick. thought most of the team were pretty dreadful for most of the match, even Kiko who is normally excellent. Thought we missed Sema , with both Sema and Sarr on the pitch we can go down either wing and Sema is particularly good at picking up the long diagonals when we switch sides. I’m going to put most of the poor performance down to three games in six days the players just didn’t have any speed or fight. Luckily we have quite a few rotation options (Ngakia , Garner, could do with Quinna back as well) at least we can’t blame our forwards this time , the battle was lost all over the pitch
Great result for me. Pedro has the makings of a great player. The skill is there but IMO more importantly he doesn’t take any sht. Deeney was brilliant today. Ive not been his biggest fan recently but that was a hold your hands up and then clap game. It’s starting to feel a bit more like what we hoped for at the start of the season.
Happy with that. Deeney excellent, Sarr excellent, and excellent defensively. Hopefully Xisco will never play that starting team/formation again. Much better once PZ came on and balanced was restored to the team. Ref was appalling. Should have had 3 penalties and they should have been down to 9 men. Their LB for persistent fouling and the stamp on Clevs was intentional. Thankfully he barely touched him but he knew what he was doing. VAR sends him off for that. Masina was atrocious. Conceded because of him too busy waving his hand in the air for offside rather than running and getting the ball first. Then he didn’t close the cross down that came in. That all happened before Cathcart decided to go have a chat. All in all, great win and this bed wetter is happy...mostly. Still, Gino needs to strengthen in the transfer window. He has 10 days to do it. Not the time to rest on our laurels. A CM and LB needed. A ST if we can get one.
I admit i fecked off at half time for a Britpop quiz. It seemed much better in the second half watching from afar? Chalobah first half was criminal
You don't have to be Welsh to play for Stoke but it certainly helps. Stoke are a team of barbarians without the ball and a side of little children with it. I think Kiko was booked for blowing his nose. Very easy to dislike the ex Loon man. Decent player but ghastly twerp. Worried about Masina in the first half but he did well at the end. Once again Deeney was a catalyst for good and playing deeper suited him. Disco likes a sub. Freddie took his goal very well and a cute ball from TD. Sloe gin frenzy here and I'm as happy as a Frenchman who's just invented a pair of self removing trousers! Have a great weekend one and all and come on Chelsea,you know you want to!
Another excellent number 10 performance from Troy. He grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, led by example, and the team followed. He's a changed man recently. Less said about the first half the better, very much like an Ivic away game. Think it must be a confidence thing as the game plan didn't really change too much but the performance did after we took the lead. Hopefully can build on that, and match up our away form with our home form. Nice relaxing weekend now!