Stoke City v Blackpool Official Matchday Thread 06.08.22

Marv’s distribution has always been cack.
Losing Madine a blow as we needed his physicality.
Virtue in midfield is a poor alternative to Connolly in midfield. We need a ruddy right back.
Why do all managers seem to want to play 433 yet it never works???? What is is about that system that’s supposed to be so ace???
If Appleton picks the same midfield he started with for the last two games again, questions need to be asked as to why.
If you have the right players it's a perfectly good system, the players out there today we're not the right players for that system.
 
We were very poor today but I’m over the result now and will look to see how we go against Swansea. What was the commotion with the police and young lad
 
Bad day at the office ..learn from it and don't have two on the trot. We are never going to win every game, but don't get bullied off the ball.
Critch had it right. Four in midfield, the middle two being tacklers. Much too lightweight with the three today. The Championship is a tough league where physicality is a must!
 
From what I saw today it was a bad day at the office and we were outmuscled in the middle by a relatively experienced side. We still lack balance at the back, some presence in the middle and some power coupled with pace at the top but I don’t think it’s the disaster some do. Gabriel being back in the squad and bringing in another RB helps solve one of those problems. Connolly can provide some presence in the middle then, solving the second problem. And then we’re just short of that forward.

I think we’re 2 signings away from where we need to be. I think we’ll bring in at least 4 though, with 5/6 leaving.

If we can get the high tempo game going for more than 20 minutes at a time, can get some confidence in these youngsters and avoid playing a team full of tree people week in week out, I think we’ll be ok and I think we’ll improve as the season progresses too.

It took Critchley time to mould his team and it will take Appleton time to do the same. There are some positive signs.
 
Think some credit needs to go to Stoke too, played well and the balls in for the goals were fantastic, then to be finished perfectly.

Yes they shouldn't have had the space but can't fault that quality.

Disappointing but lessons will be learned today, if we play like 2nd half were at least competitive, had them on the backfoot for a decent spell.

Stick at it and improve, play the wonder kid now.
 
If we can get the high tempo game going for more than 20 minutes at a time, can get some confidence in these youngsters and avoid playing a team full of tree people week in week out, I think we’ll be ok and I think we’ll improve as the season progresses too.
Tree people?

I reckon we need Tarzan in the midfield holding position. Urgently.
 
You reckon? 😉😆

It always helps!

I think we are a bir rag tag and bobtail at the moment. The side needs some experience, I’m not sure the team who look at potential signings are up to much, certainly not bullshit Ben.

You know my thoughts on Dougal and how much I rate Connolly but I wouldn’t play either of them in defensive midfield if we had Stewart fit and that is why my priority would be to get someone who has been there and done it. As for playing Connolly and Dougall in midfield together…… jeez no!!
 
It always helps!

I think we are a bir rag tag and bobtail at the moment. The side needs some experience, I’m not sure the team who look at potential signings are up to much, certainly not bullshit Ben.

You know my thoughts on Dougal and how much I rate Connolly but I wouldn’t play either of them in defensive midfield if we had Stewart fit and that is why my priority would be to get someone who has been there and done it. As for playing Connolly and Dougall in midfield together…… jeez no!!
More chaotic thinking!
 
We definately need a big experienced midfielder, Appleton can't afford to wait for Kevin Stewart as a mainstay. Another mobile striker
is a must & of course a right back. LA1 is right 4/5 players need to move on if we are to solve this. A good 18 man squad we hav'nt got.
 
Stoke didn't even look like a top 6 side. First half we never got going, despite Carey's chance.
Much better first part of second half, Bowler created a great opening for himself, but can't remember their keeper being tested once.
Sorry but Virtue isn't our holding midfielder and on the last two starts, Carey should be on the bench.
The warning signs about Virtue were glaring in the pre season friendly against Dirty, where his performance was similar to yesterday.
 
Blackpool head coach Michael Appleton:

"From a result point of view, we probably got what we deserved because of the performance from the first half. It was way away from what I'd expect from any team that I manage in terms of being passive, lacking aggression, being brave and getting on the ball.

"The second half gave me encouragement; I thought we were much braver and far more competitive. We got a decent response at half-time, but the damage had been done in the first half - it was just the mentality side of it.

"A couple of lads looked a little lethargic and didn't know if the game was too big for them. Seventy per cent of the team showed me that they can deal with that pressure in the second half."
 
Blackpool head coach Michael Appleton:

"From a result point of view, we probably got what we deserved because of the performance from the first half. It was way away from what I'd expect from any team that I manage in terms of being passive, lacking aggression, being brave and getting on the ball.

"The second half gave me encouragement; I thought we were much braver and far more competitive. We got a decent response at half-time, but the damage had been done in the first half - it was just the mentality side of it.

"A couple of lads looked a little lethargic and didn't know if the game was too big for them. Seventy per cent of the team showed me that they can deal with that pressure in the second half."

Nothing to do with how he set the team up for the first half then 🙄.
 
Critch had it right. Four in midfield, the middle two being tacklers. Much too lightweight with the three today. The Championship is a tough league where physicality is a must!
Watched the club highlights last night and even they showed this as the problem. Youngsters may have the speed and the enthusiasm but quite often lack the nouse and experience to deal with these scenarios and a side like Stoke, never pretty to watch, were always going to have the advantage.
 
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