Match Verdict
Irons 0 Stoke City 0
OK first things first… I have absolutely no complaints with that! We showed some steel in rough circumstances.
Many will be saying that Stoke City at home is a game we should win but they’d be wrong because this is a team which has won four of their last seven league games and seriously put Manchester City to the sword last weekend.
With so many key players missing from the Irons line up and although never at our best as a result, we could have won a game from which both teams can take some credit.
The harshest critics out there will be pointing to another draw as a failure. I see it as a very noteworthy result, another clean sheet and enough chances to win it.
Michail Antonio on debut gave hints as to why we’d spent £7 million with some sweet turns at pace and – by the way – he has one hell of a long throw.
He produced some of our best moments but is ring rusty and failed to find the final ball and, on one occasion, the finish, in front of goal. However a very promising prospect.
Shorn of Payet and Lanzini, Mauro Zarate – whilst clearly having some flaws in his game – produced some fabulous moments and was unlucky when for the second week on the trot he hit a post after a fine run across the face of the Stoke defence.
In truth, City had the more dangerous chances and Adrian was twice called on to save with his feet from close range when all looked lost.
Our squad is being taken apart by injuries but that’s another game gone and another week nearer getting one of two back. Like I say, no complaints.
Alex Song is coming back but still looked a bit off the pace whilst Manu Lanzini could be back next week according to the manager.
The other pleasing aspect of today’s game was that we showed we can get on the front foot and attack teams but sadly there wasn’t quite enough imagination to break down a dour defence.
Whilst our inventive players are absent there has to be an alternative and once the ball went into Carroll’s head on one or two occasions in the second period we looked dangerous.
We don’t want a return to the old ways but carefully used – as was the case against Chelsea – it’s a potent weapon.
Onwards and upwards with lowly Swansea – beaten at the Etihad – next on the agenda.
Keep the faith – keep believing. The lads did well in difficult circumstances.
Actually finding it a bit difficult to be so happy at the moment to be Honest .
We are worse off now than we were with Alladyce this time last year . Truth hurts , but there it is . Our injury list to key players was the same as this season after 16 games . Bilic is this , Bilic is that , but at the end of the day we are no better off .
We were playing a team that beat Man City ( we also beat Man City ) .
It was a fair result ,, it shouldn’t have been , or am I expecting too much from Bilic and a injury hit side . That is now 12 points dropped in drawn games where we should have won .
Clever Bilic Banter won’t win us games . Bottom half of the table after Christmas is looking very likely and our European Fantasy forgotten . But let’s not blame the Manager eh .
what European fantasy? your European fantasy?
Wow Kevin stay off of roof tops until you cheer up a bit. 🙂
Yeah, who cares that we are playing vastly more entertaining football under a manager that actually cares about the fans and the club’s heritage.
Kevin, guessing you didn’t actually see any of the games last year under the anti Christ of football? Our injury list last year was no where near as bad as this time around and whilst we are not winning week in and week out the football being played is so entertaining. We are not too far off of having a great side that can take us places.
You do realise that the start last year was our best ever indeed about as good as it is possible for a team of our present standing. Yes our squad is/was better so matching it was always a possibility but in truth getting close is the best we could hope for. The difference is that last year till Christmas we had a lethal striker on top form as good as anyone whereas this season we have no one doing the business (unlike Leicester) and goals have come from midfield players who are now injured. It wasn’t the first half of the season that got Big Sam the elbow it was the second half and this will be the real test here too. Until we get a goal scorer (easier said than done) this is around as good as it will get despite the overall quality in the side. Recent games have at least shown signs of Bilic getting the system right. Changing style bedding in new players and getting consistency was always going to take time, I will judge come Easter.
a game full of everything but goals. With so many players out we still dished up exciting stuff, with Antonio looking like he could well grow into the part; keep him in next week.
Swansea, Villa and even Southampton are all winable, so we should end our dry run soon.
Right Hugh, what a long throw ( far post throw lol ).
Looking forward to the next one.
agree with you 100% hugh they played their socks off and we saw a great addition in Antonio today lets hope he gets more starts, only downside don’t think carroll is ever going to be quick enough for the team.
Another entertaining game no goals against and players starting to show form coming back
Waited along time to get excited when ever we play,
Effort by whole team brilliant,
Zarate and Kouyate class
Can’t wait for next game and a good cup run