Wenger bemoans Stoke “cowards”
November 3, 2008
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hit back at his side’s critics after the weekend defeat at the hands of newly promoted Stoke City. The Frenchman has been aroused by claims that his side did not show the kind of passion and desire needed to claim maximum points in the Premier League.
Speaking at a press conference this afternoon Wenger pointed to the amount of injries which Arsenal have suffered as a result of what he termed “deliberate” tackles. Not only did the Gunners supremo bring up long term injury victim Eduardo and Diaby, he also pinpointed numerous challenges made by the Potters,which he believes had the sole intention of taking out one of his plays.
In particular, Wenger was incensed by tackles from Rory Delap and Ryan Shawcross whom he labelled as “cowards”. Theo Walcott fell victim to one of these tackles and was stretched from the pitch, however to claim that the Stoke team were trying to deliberately hurt the Arsenal players is senseless and inaccurate.
Looking at the video replays, many of the tackles which Arsene uses in his defence are genuine attempts to play the ball. Some were late, yes, but malicious no – and it is patently obvious that Wenger’s unnecessary attack on the Potters is a weak attempt to deflect his own side’s quite visible deficiencies.
Disallowed Gerrard goal angers Benitez
September 22, 2008
Liverpool had the chance to go three points clear at the top of the table on Saturday when they played newly promoted Stoke City, who are languishing in the bottom three. It all started well for Liverpool when captain Gerrard thought he’d scored after 2 minutes, for what would have been his 100th goal for the club. However the goal was disallowed, and nobody seems to know why.
The TV reply picked out no foul or offside, and the reason for the goal being disallowed hasn’t been revealed. Benitez said after the match.
Nobody knows why the effort was ruled out.
The referee told Jamie Carragher that it had been his decision, not the linesman’s. It was a massive mistake.
Gerrard’s free kick went straight in without touching any player, and Kuyt attempted to get on the end of it. The linesman flagged, but nobody knows why.
Liverpool battled on from there and created a host of chances, but couldn’t find their way through the Stoke defence. Stoke manager Tony Pulis admits he doesn’t know why the goal was disallowed either:
I was delighted with our performance, my players fought for everything.
And we had a little luck. We got a decision at Anfield that went our way! But I don’t know why that early effort was ruled out.
It certainly was not for offside, I have been told by people who have seen the replay that Kuyt was not offside.
Well, I’m not going to argue with us getting some luck here.
Liverpool could go top as they face new boys Stoke
September 19, 2008
Fresh from their 2-1 victory over Marseille in midweek (and of course their win by the same scoreline against Manchester United last week) Liverpool go into the weekend against Stoke knowing that a win will see them clear at the top of the Premiership.
Stoke meanwhile are in the bottom three, where many people believed they’d be all season, but that’s despite some encouraging performances. They’ve already beaten Aston Villa at the Britannia, and were unlucky to lose last week to Everton. Playing Liverpool at Anfield however is an entirely different proposition, as both Gerrard and Torres are now back from injury and new signing Robbie Keane will have his sights set on breaking his Liverpool duck against a suspect Stoke defence.
Stoke do have one weapon though that has caused problems for every team they’ve played, the long throw into the box. Everton failed to deal with it last week, and it cost them two goals. Liverpool should be able to cope as Sami Hyypia may be recalled to guard against them.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez stated about the game:
We know that Stoke will be difficult opponents because they have just come into the Premier League and they will be keen to do well, particularly when they come to places like Anfield.
Beating Manchester United last week was a good achievement and it will improve our confidence but now we have to try to beat Stoke.
The last time the two sides met was 8 years ago in an FA Cup tie at the Britannia, when Liverpool beat the Potters 8-0.
Tomorrow is unlikely to see the same result, but if Torres and Keane hit it off, you never know.
Stoke stay in bottom three as they lose to Everton
September 14, 2008
Typically, it all kicked off at the Britannia Stadium as home side Stoke lost an incident filled game to Everton, leaving them in the bottom three of the Premiership.
Though Stoke showed some steel in their play, and the long throw weapon from Rory Delap means they’ll cause a number of teams problems this season. They battled hard today, but Everton consigned them to a 3-2 narrow defeat.
Yakubu struck first for the visitors, before Phil Jagielka scored an own goal to level for the home side, courtesy of a Rory Delap long throw; something that Stoke will rely on heavily this season.
After Everton had a penalty appeal turned down, furious manager David Moyes was sent to the stands, where he bravely watched the rest of game amidst the fanatical home fans, something that many away managers would be reluctant to do!
Everton opened the scoring just before half time, in an uneventful first half (despite Moyes’ sending off). In the second half Stoke fought back, and had a goal disallowed before Jagielka scored an own goal to level the scores at 1-1.
The game was won by Cahill, who scored from an Arteta corner. Everton move into the top half of the table, whereas Stoke remain in the bottom three.
Stoke come back down to earth with a bump
August 31, 2008
Premiership newboys Stoke City came back down to earth yesterday as they were beaten 2-1 away to Middlesbrough. Stoke are everyone’s favourite to go straight back down to the Championship, and bookmakers Paddy Power have already paid out on them being relegated after their opening day defeat away to Bolton.
However they dug in last week and narrowly beat Aston Villa at the Britannia, with a last gasp goal, to give their critics something to think about.
Yesterday at the Riverside however it was Stoke who succumbed to the late goal, denying them the away point they richly deserved.
After having Amdy Faye dismissed for a two-footed tackle, and the subsequent free kick being converted into a goal, Stoke looked like they would suffer a serious hammering. However Borough missed a penalty that gave them the chance for a 2-0 lead, and incredibly Stoke equalised through a Justin Hoyte own goal.
It looked like Stoke would cling on until the dying minutes when Tuncay was fed through to beat Thomas Sorensen.
Gareth Southgate, the Borough manager, said about the game:
In the end we’ve just had enough to win it. It is the poorest we have played but the points are the important thing for us.
The way they play they cause you problems and we were a bit off it and didn’t pass the ball as well as we should have done.
We have six points but lots of work to do. We sneaked through when we weren’t at our best.
Stoke City pull out of Carson hunt
July 17, 2008
Premiership newboys Stoke City have dropped out of the hunt for Liverpool’s goalkeeper Scott Carson. The two clubs had agreed a fee of £4 million for the player, but the deal now appears to have collapsed.
There are two other clubs looking at Carson however, Blackburn Rovers and West Brom. Blackburn will most likely need a replacement for rad Friedel, who looks bound for Aston Villa, who Carson was on loan with last season… this is getting complicated.
The deal between Stoke and Liverpool appears to have collapsed over personal terms with the player.
Stoke announced to the media:
Stoke City can announce that we are no longer pursuing Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson.
The club will continue to look to improve the squad and remain hopeful of closing in on several new signings ahead of the Barclays Premier League campaign.
Villa were expected to sign Carson themelves, but now look to be targeting Tottenham’s Paul Robinson and Blackburn’s Brad Friedel.
Stoke up up as Leicester are relegated
May 4, 2008
The final day of the Championship had a twist as Leicester were relegated as Southampton beat Sheffield United 3-2. Leicester could only manage a draw at Stoke, a result which saw Stoke promoted in second place.
West Bromich Albion secured the title beating QPR 2-0. The goals came from Do-Heon Kim and Chris Brunt, Albion who were the best side all season lifted the trophy in front of their traveling supporters.
Hull could have nipped ahead of Stoke to secure automatic promotion, they went 1-0 down to Ispwich. They now face Watford in the play-off who drew with Blackpool. That draw secured Blackpool’s status in the division. Sheffield Wednesday beat Norwich 4-1 to secure their status, but with Leicester drawing at Stoke means the Foxes are relegated to the third tier of football for the first time in their history.
Stoke pegged back again by Palace
April 7, 2008
It’s the league that no one wants to win as Stoke went down to Crystal Palace 2-1 at the Britannia Stadium, the result sees Palace nip above Wolves in the play-offs. Neil Warnock’s tactics were spot on and the win moved them from 10th in the league to 6th, the top of the table is so tight West Brom can go from 5th to top tomorrow night with a win over Blackpool.
The away side went ahead against the run of play when Tom Soares headed in Scott Sinclair’s cross. The away side doubled their lead just before the break another loanee Jose Fonte volleying from the edge of the area with his first goal in England.
Stoke put the away side under real pressure in the first half, even hitting the bar with a throw in. They did grab a goal really late on a great strike from Glenn Whelan. Once again Stoke have stuttered but can WBA get back on the trail for the Premiership?
Stoke go top as Bristol City lose to Plymouth
March 16, 2008
Stoke City went back to the top of the Championship after a three match spell at second after hanging on for a 0-0 draw at Watford, Bristol City were knocker off the top after losing at home for only the third time this season by Plymouth.
It was another interesting day in the Championship which is set to have an exciting end due to a lot of teams being very close in the table, top and at the bottom. Eyes were on the top of the table as two of the top three met at Vicarage Road, Watford had former Stoke midfielder John Eustace sent off in the first half for a high tackle, on second inspection it was a poor decision by Rob Styles who went on to have a poor game.
Despite being one man down Watford were awarded a penalty in the second half, a somewhat dubious decision from Mr Rob Styles. Darius Henderson effort from the spot was saved by Carlo Nash in the Stoke goal much to the delight of manager Tony Pulis.
Stoke were able to go top as leaders Bristol City lost at home to Plymouth 2-1. A Rory Fallon brace either side of half time gave the away side the lead. Lee Trundle grabbed a goal with 15 minutes to go from the spot after Jermaine Easter handled.
The shock of the day came at the Hawthorns as third placed West Bromich Albion went down 4-1 to Leicester. Koren had given the home side the lead but loanee Luke Moore was sent off which opened the flood gates for McAuley to equalize and then Brian Howard to grab his third hattrick of his career.
Stoke seal Bothroyd signing
March 14, 2008
Championship promotion hopefuls Stoke City have signed out of favour Wolves striker Jay Bothroyd on loan for a month.
The Potters face a real six pointer at Watford tomorrow and the 25 year old is expected to make his debut at Vicarage Road.
Bothroyd has netted four times in twenty five appearances for Wolves this season but has been out of favour since mid February. His arrival at Stoke could not come at a better time as forward Mama Sidibe is struggling to be fit for this weekend’s clash with a hamstring strain.
Boss Tony Pulis could favour Jon “The Beast” Parkin to start the match but it is thought that Bothroyd will be involved at some point.
