Stoke City: Performance of the Week? You’re having a laugh.

It was announced at the weekend that Stoke City had won the F&C Investments Performance of the Week Award for their 1-0 away win against West Brom in the Barclays Premier League. I was at that game and still for the life of me can’t see how and why they have been merited with such an award.

When Jeff Stelling announced the news on Gillette Soccer Saturday I was left bemused as to the reasons why their 1-0 victory over the Baggies was seen as a superior performance to the likes of Swansea’s emphatic 2-0 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates or even West Ham’s second half comeback against Chelsea at Upton Park.

The LMA five-man panel, comprising LMA Chairman Howard Wilkinson, Sir Alex Ferguson, Joe Royale, Dave Bassett and Barry Fry, were in agreement that the Potters’ first league win on the road since January 2^nd warranted the accolade. I couldn’t disagree more.

While Stoke have moved on from the days of the Rory Delap long throw in, the manner in which Tony Pulis sets his team out to play football (and I use the term ‘football’ loosely) is rather grim and something in which many teams struggle to cope with.

Stoke came to The Hawthorns with a clear game plan. From the very first whistle they launched the ball into the corner; it was a sign of things to come. The game saw one team trying to play football while the other team tried to stop them. It worked for the latter side.

The Potters frustrated the home side and limited them to the odd effort at goal without having a meaningful shot of their own for the majority of the match. I’d be the first to admit that football is a results business but the way in which Stoke earned the three points in this match wasn’t a pretty sight at all and certainly wasn’t worthy of a Performance of the Week award.

Referee Kevin Friend failed in his attempts to keep a lid on the rudimentary and cynical tactics that Stoke displayed throughout the entire 90 minutes. I lost count of the amount of fouls given against the team in red and white when the hosts started to break away on the counter. It certainly wasn’t a game for the purists among us.

There can be no argument that a 1-0 victory against an in-form West Brom side away from home is an excellent achievement. However, there can be an argument for the manner in which they won the game. Performance of the Week? You’re having a laugh.

Andrew Floyd

Follow @footyfriends

Comments

[Mark]

The fact that Stoke City enjoyed over 50% of possession goes a long way to suggesting that your story is a): invalid, b): shocking journalism, and c): garbage!

Having been at that game, how you can suggest that one team tried to play the 'beautiful' game, whilst the other 'ugly' team, kicked, battered and bruised their way to three points is quite honestly beyond belief.

It's little wonder that you are writing for this relatively meaningless website!

[Stokie]

Well if you actually look at the official stats for Long Ball in the premier league this season, Stoke sit in 8th. Whilst West Brom sit in 5th! So West Brazil are so Beautiful football arent you! Downward spiral already begun for you.

[The Grassy Knoll]

The difference with WBA's long balls is that they are aimed at players (i.e passes) as opposed to Stoke's eggchasers just launching the ball on the general direction of the opposition's goal.
How ironic that some Clayheads feel the need to leap to the defence of Pulis's bovine crew. I never realised that the Britannia faithful were so sensitive, as it's been obvious for years that they have been happy to accept any old tripe, as long as they can steal points from games.

[keith]

nothing better than sour grapes

[whataloser]

Cant believe the grassy knoll. Poor performance from you, couldnt convert one of your limited chances after a superior defensive display. Get a grip and stop being so bitter, we won, again at your ground, again!

[mark]

we always beat west brom so stop talking rubbish mr floyd. you thought you had a 3 point banker but were outdone by the better team on the day. west brom were no better on the day than stoke and to take 3 points when the only other team to take anything from the hawthorns was man city wins my team of the day. stop crying about it.

[The Grassy Knoll]

OK Clayheads.....

Do you seriously think that SCFC's style of play would attract ANY neutral to the Britannia?

I punished my naughty son yesterday by making him watch the MOTD 'highlights' (snigger) of the Vile v SCFC.