Stoke City away match thread

[Jerseybean]

A trip to Stoke for our final game of the season, with kick off at 1230, they’ve had a poor season but are safe. I was at St Mary’s last weekend when they deservedly beat Southampton 1-0.  They deserved to win and it could’ve been more comfortable to to be honest. There was a tangible sense of relief amongst their fans as they secured championship football for another season.

Scoring has been a big issue for them. No one has scored more goals for them since January last year than right back Hoever, who is on loan from Wolves, with eight, you aren’t going to get very far when your top scoring forward only has three this season!

On the last day of September we lost 2-3 to them at home having been 2-0 up inside 20 minutes!

https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2023/september/30/extended-highlights-bristol-city/

It had been 25 years since Stoke won an away game after being 2-0 down.

They finished with 53 points in 16th place last season their worse league position in twenty years. Ahead of this they are 18th on 53 points.

Bristol to Stoke is a 250 mile round trip, so a massive well done to the traveling faithful who make the trip.

Previous games: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/stoke-away-memories/ we have won on our last five visits to Stoke.

In January they signed Luke Cundle on loan (we were reported to be interested in him) https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67922058

On 10 December Alex Neil was sacked https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67672073 after 16 months in charge. On 19 December they appointed Plymouth Argyle boss Steven Schumacher as their head coach: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67753445

In April they appointed their former striker Jonathan Walters as technical director after two months in an interim role working alongside head coach Steven Schumacher.

Last season we recorded a 2-1 win at the Bet365 stadium, thanks to an excellent second half performance and goals from Vyner and Mehmeti who came off the bench to score his first City goal in the 85th minute. That was our fifth successive win at their place. Highlights: https://youtu.be/Zho0MIq8V3U

There will be more who’ve played for both clubs but the only one I can think of is Junior Bent.

We will be without James and Pring, Vyner could return.

Head-to-head record

Won: 20

Lost: 28

Drawn: 15

LM presser: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/interviews/manning-previews-final-game/

Officials

Referee: Sam Barrott

Assistants: Shaun Hudson and Blake Antrobus

Fourth official: John Busby

Match preview: https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/stoke-city/preview/preview-stoke-vs-bristol-city-prediction-team-news-lineups_542747.html

In January they signed Million Manhoef, https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68164597

NP was there between1999 and 2001 he was recruited as Stoke City's first team coach by Gary Megson.Although Megson was sacked later that year by the club's Icelandic consortium, Pearson was kept on for a further two years under Guðjón Þórðarson, before being sacked in 2001.

Ground guide: https://footballgroundguide.com/leagues/england/championship/bet365-stadium-stoke-city.html

Famous fans:

• Nick Hancock - 1990s "They Think It's All Over" TV legend.
• Jeremy Bates - 1980s tennis legend.
• Sugar Ray Leonard - 1970s boxing legend.

Their forum, https://oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/thread/313013/bristol-city-team-selection

My mate Bill, who supports the Potters, had this to say, ‘Two reflections, the first a fortnight ago I had the misfortune of watching Bristol City play Huddersfield Town. It was one of the most sterile and boring games that I’ve ever had the misfortune to watch. ‘Manning ball’ seems to be an attempt to bring walking football to the Championship. Given that your new coach was purportedly  brought to the club with the promise of front-footed, high pressing, high penetration football, then you’ve obviously been blatantly lied to.

Second reflection, I’m just back from watching Southampton lose to Stoke in what was a very entertaining football match of, funnily enough, Stoke employing a very high press, with lots of athleticism, rapid counter attacks and no little verve. The complete opposite to ‘Manning ball.’

I am aware, however, that you are on a run of being undefeated, but if Bristol City come to the Britannia Stadium to play as they did against Huddersfield, where only a very dubious penalty in very dubious time added on, got you a very underserved point, then not only will Stoke do the double over you (remember 2-0 up to lose 3-2) for the first time in ages, but we will end the season with three wins in a row, something else we haven’t done for years.

I’m really looking forward to that!’

Pubs

This is a good area for decent beers, https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink/three-stoke-trent-pubs-included-7121743

Power League Sports Club, Dennis Viollet Avenue, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4TN

Harvester - Trentham Lakes, Trentham Lakes District Centre, Stanley Matthews Way, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4TL, https://www.harvester.co.uk/restaurants/eastandwestmidlands/harvestertrenthamlakesstokeontrent#/

The Poacher's Cottage, Stone Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 8AA, https://www.facebook.com/HarvesterPoachersCottage/

The Plough, Campbell Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4EN, https://hotelescon.com.es/The-Plough-Motel/

The Gardeners Retreat, 6 Sideway Rd, Boothen Green, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4BJ, https://the-gardeners-retreat.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral

The Terrace,185 Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2BW, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072011134582

Bulls Head, St Johns Square, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 3AJ, (01782) 834153, www.titanicbrewery.co.uk

Old-fashioned two-room tap for Titanic with up to ten real ales (including guests) from horseshoe bar, also good selection of Belgian beers, real ciders and wines; well cared-for interior with varnished tables on wood or carpeted floors, coal fire; monthly live folk music, bar billiards and table skittles; drinking area outside (may be barbecue if Port Vale are at home), open all day Fri-Sun, closed till 3pm other days.

Glebe, 35 Glebe Street, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 1HG, (01782) 860670, www.joulesbrewery.co.uk/our-taphouses/our-pub-list/glebe

Well restored 19th-c Joules corner pub, their ales, Weston's cider and good reasonably priced wines from central mahogany counter, William Morris-attributed leaded windows, bare boards and panelling, some civic portraits and big fireplace with coat of arms above, wholesome bar food (not Sun) and all-day deli counter, friendly staff; live music Tues, open mike Thurs; children and dogs welcome, benches in small garden, quite handy for station, closed Mon evening, otherwise open all day.

Holy Inadequate, 67 Etruria Old Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 5PE, 07771 358238. Drinkers' pub with five well kept ales including Joules Pale and maybe one from on-site microbrewery, good range of British craft kegs, German lagers and lots of bottled beers, snacky food such as pies and scotch eggs, friendly staff; dogs welcome, outdoor covered terrace, open all day Fri-Sun, from 4pm other days.

So, that’s it for another season, thank you fellow-Reds, if you’ve read or contributed to the match threads this season and hope to see you again next season. On our opening game against PNE there were 18,329 on this superb forum now it’s 18,721.

Take care. COYR.

[Red Army 75]

Have to say JB, you have done a great job on the match day thread. Appreciate the insight. 
 

Going for end of season cracker, with a 3-2 City win. U Reds

[chalkeyred]

Circumstances mean that we cannot go to Stoke tomorrow 

I have 3 adult tickets that a fellow red is welcome to, if collected from me near Burnham on Sea.

A small donation to the Community Trust would be appreciated.

Please DM if interested.

[Unan]

Thank you for a wonderful season of match day threads. 
 

and as always RIP Havanatopia.

[22A]

Stoke's Manager appears to have the same problems and ambitions as we do for our club.

https://oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/thread/313013/bristol-city-team-selection?page=5

Snippets from the final Stoke pre match press conference today. Ennis has sustained a knee problem and is unavailable as is Haks who has a groin problem. Gooch has trained this week and Leris is OK following his illness.

When questioned on the task he faced on coming to Stoke he intimated that some of the internal matters were a challenge. He also stated that contract talks will take place with players like Ty and Jordan Thompson. Thompson does have an extension clause that is in Stoke's favour

The plan for next season is to push on, get away from the foot of the table and be in the top half. For all the difficulties, he has enjoyed the experience and it will help him in the future

[mightyreds89]

Just shy of 1,900 tickets shifted decent effort that tbf to us. COYR. 

[Rossi the Robin]

Thanks JB great threads this season 

I have a feeling we will score a few goals tomorrow ️

[cidered abroad]

1 hour ago, Rossi the Robin said:

Thanks JB great threads this season 

I have a feeling we will score a few goals tomorrow ️

I second that comment. @Jerseybean does a very interesting and much appreciated pre-match day post.

I guess the hardest thing to do is the fact that as we've been in the same division for so long, what new info can be included.

My first visit to Stoke City was in 1959-60 season. I went on my own in October by train, probably half term at school, with City struggling having won only 3 out of 14 matches. I didn't see another City fan all day.

Malcolm Graham a big money for those days played his first game for City after injury for all of that season. He got 2 and Atyeo one in a 3-1 away win. I hoped that results would improve but no chance!

At end of April, after manager Doherty was sacked around end of December, the inevitable happened. We were back in Division 3.

[RUSSEL85]

4 hours ago, mightyreds89 said:

Just shy of 1,900 tickets shifted decent effort that tbf to us. COYR. 

That’s excellent away support. Much more than I expected. COYR

[Bizyer]

8 hours ago, Unan said:

Thank you for a wonderful season of match day threads. 
 

and as always RIP Havanatopia.

Here here

[1960maaan]

Well done JB , give your typing fingers a rest for a couple of months.

Thanks for the hard work over the season.

I think maybe a 1-1 or 2-2 .
Interested in the starting XI . 
Pring and James out. Could shuffle across with Vyner coming in , rather than go to a back 4.
Williams & Knight in the middle . I don't see any surprises.
Knight-Lebel to get 30 mins ? Mebude to get a farewell 2 minutes ? 

[Lanterne Rouge]

3 minutes ago, 1960maaan said:

Well done JB , give your typing fingers a rest for a couple of months.

Thanks for the hard work over the season.

I think maybe a 1-1 or 2-2 .
Interested in the starting XI . 
Pring and James out. Could shuffle across with Vyner coming in , rather than go to a back 4.
Williams & Knight in the middle . I don't see any surprises.
Knight-Lebel to get 30 mins ? Mebude to get a farewell 2 minutes ? 

Andy King will get some pitch time surely after today`s news? It would be good if he started and then subbed so the fans can show their appreciation.

[cityexile]

Be nice to finish on a bit of an unbeaten run. Difficult to call as pressure now off Stoke. We have a freakishly good record there in recent years, hopefully we can continue it!

[Offside]

I’ve really disliked Stoke since we lost to them at Wembley. It also irked me that they got promoted in the season we lost to Hull in the play offs. And this season there was the horrible 3-2 defeat at home after we were 2-0 up. So I hope we hammer them tomorrow. 

[PHILINFRANCE]

14 hours ago, Jerseybean said:

Power League Sports Club, Dennis Viollet Avenue, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4TN

 

Wow, there's a name from the past.

He was a player and a half, one of the Busby babes.

Edited May 3 by PHILINFRANCE

[BigTone]

20 hours ago, Jerseybean said:

A trip to Stoke for our final game of the season, with kick off at 1230, they’ve had a poor season but are safe. I was at St Mary’s last weekend when they deservedly beat Southampton 1-0.  They deserved to win and it could’ve been more comfortable to to be honest. There was a tangible sense of relief amongst their fans as they secured championship football for another season.

Scoring has been a big issue for them. No one has scored more goals for them since January last year than right back Hoever, who is on loan from Wolves, with eight, you aren’t going to get very far when your top scoring forward only has three this season!

On the last day of September we lost 2-3 to them at home having been 2-0 up inside 20 minutes!

https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2023/september/30/extended-highlights-bristol-city/

It had been 25 years since Stoke won an away game after being 2-0 down.

They finished with 53 points in 16th place last season their worse league position in twenty years. Ahead of this they are 18th on 53 points.

Bristol to Stoke is a 250 mile round trip, so a massive well done to the traveling faithful who make the trip.

Previous games: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/stoke-away-memories/ we have won on our last five visits to Stoke.

In January they signed Luke Cundle on loan (we were reported to be interested in him) https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67922058

On 10 December Alex Neil was sacked https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67672073 after 16 months in charge. On 19 December they appointed Plymouth Argyle boss Steven Schumacher as their head coach: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67753445

In April they appointed their former striker Jonathan Walters as technical director after two months in an interim role working alongside head coach Steven Schumacher.

Last season we recorded a 2-1 win at the Bet365 stadium, thanks to an excellent second half performance and goals from Vyner and Mehmeti who came off the bench to score his first City goal in the 85th minute. That was our fifth successive win at their place. Highlights: https://youtu.be/Zho0MIq8V3U

There will be more who’ve played for both clubs but the only one I can think of is Junior Bent.

We will be without James and Pring, Vyner could return.

Head-to-head record

Won: 20

Lost: 28

Drawn: 15

LM presser: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/interviews/manning-previews-final-game/

Officials

Referee: Sam Barrott

Assistants: Shaun Hudson and Blake Antrobus

Fourth official: John Busby

Match preview: https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/stoke-city/preview/preview-stoke-vs-bristol-city-prediction-team-news-lineups_542747.html

In January they signed Million Manhoef, https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68164597

NP was there between1999 and 2001 he was recruited as Stoke City's first team coach by Gary Megson.Although Megson was sacked later that year by the club's Icelandic consortium, Pearson was kept on for a further two years under Guðjón Þórðarson, before being sacked in 2001.

Ground guide: https://footballgroundguide.com/leagues/england/championship/bet365-stadium-stoke-city.html

Famous fans:

• Nick Hancock - 1990s "They Think It's All Over" TV legend.
• Jeremy Bates - 1980s tennis legend.
• Sugar Ray Leonard - 1970s boxing legend.

Their forum, https://oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/thread/313013/bristol-city-team-selection

My mate Bill, who supports the Potters, had this to say, ‘Two reflections, the first a fortnight ago I had the misfortune of watching Bristol City play Huddersfield Town. It was one of the most sterile and boring games that I’ve ever had the misfortune to watch. ‘Manning ball’ seems to be an attempt to bring walking football to the Championship. Given that your new coach was purportedly  brought to the club with the promise of front-footed, high pressing, high penetration football, then you’ve obviously been blatantly lied to.

Second reflection, I’m just back from watching Southampton lose to Stoke in what was a very entertaining football match of, funnily enough, Stoke employing a very high press, with lots of athleticism, rapid counter attacks and no little verve. The complete opposite to ‘Manning ball.’

I am aware, however, that you are on a run of being undefeated, but if Bristol City come to the Britannia Stadium to play as they did against Huddersfield, where only a very dubious penalty in very dubious time added on, got you a very underserved point, then not only will Stoke do the double over you (remember 2-0 up to lose 3-2) for the first time in ages, but we will end the season with three wins in a row, something else we haven’t done for years.

I’m really looking forward to that!’

Pubs

This is a good area for decent beers, https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink/three-stoke-trent-pubs-included-7121743

Power League Sports Club, Dennis Viollet Avenue, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4TN

Harvester - Trentham Lakes, Trentham Lakes District Centre, Stanley Matthews Way, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4TL, https://www.harvester.co.uk/restaurants/eastandwestmidlands/harvestertrenthamlakesstokeontrent#/

The Poacher's Cottage, Stone Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 8AA, https://www.facebook.com/HarvesterPoachersCottage/

The Plough, Campbell Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4EN, https://hotelescon.com.es/The-Plough-Motel/

The Gardeners Retreat, 6 Sideway Rd, Boothen Green, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4BJ, https://the-gardeners-retreat.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral

The Terrace,185 Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2BW, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072011134582

Bulls Head, St Johns Square, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 3AJ, (01782) 834153, www.titanicbrewery.co.uk

Old-fashioned two-room tap for Titanic with up to ten real ales (including guests) from horseshoe bar, also good selection of Belgian beers, real ciders and wines; well cared-for interior with varnished tables on wood or carpeted floors, coal fire; monthly live folk music, bar billiards and table skittles; drinking area outside (may be barbecue if Port Vale are at home), open all day Fri-Sun, closed till 3pm other days.

Glebe, 35 Glebe Street, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 1HG, (01782) 860670, www.joulesbrewery.co.uk/our-taphouses/our-pub-list/glebe

Well restored 19th-c Joules corner pub, their ales, Weston's cider and good reasonably priced wines from central mahogany counter, William Morris-attributed leaded windows, bare boards and panelling, some civic portraits and big fireplace with coat of arms above, wholesome bar food (not Sun) and all-day deli counter, friendly staff; live music Tues, open mike Thurs; children and dogs welcome, benches in small garden, quite handy for station, closed Mon evening, otherwise open all day.

Holy Inadequate, 67 Etruria Old Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 5PE, 07771 358238. Drinkers' pub with five well kept ales including Joules Pale and maybe one from on-site microbrewery, good range of British craft kegs, German lagers and lots of bottled beers, snacky food such as pies and scotch eggs, friendly staff; dogs welcome, outdoor covered terrace, open all day Fri-Sun, from 4pm other days.

So, that’s it for another season, thank you fellow-Reds, if you’ve read or contributed to the match threads this season and hope to see you again next season. On our opening game against PNE there were 18,329 on this superb forum now it’s 18,721.

Take care. COYR.

Condensed Version

Stoke City:

So, that’s it for another season, thank you fellow-Reds.

COYR

Edited May 4 by BigTone

[pillred]

15 hours ago, Bizyer said:

Here here

It's "Hear, Hear" (but I echo the sentiment).

Edited May 4 by pillred

[shahanshahan]

I think I can see where @Never to the dark side finally got his name from...

 

[Der no.2]

Thanks JB, Havantopia would be proud ️

[pillred]

50 minutes ago, Der no.2 said:

Thanks JB, Havantopia would be proud ️

Talking of Havanatopia who we all miss so much I was wondering about Septic Peg who used to post all the time, does anyone know what happened to them?

[Bizyer]

1 hour ago, pillred said:

It's "Hear, Hear" (but I echo the sentiment).

Well spotted pillred

[Major Isewater]

1 minute ago, pillred said:

Talking of Havanatopia who we all miss so much I was wondering about Septic Peg who used to post all the time, does anyone know what happened to them?

And Aizoon with his prickly friend. 

[Davefevs]

10 minutes ago, pillred said:

Talking of Havanatopia who we all miss so much I was wondering about Septic Peg who used to post all the time, does anyone know what happened to them?

Young family I think taking up her time.

@Dollymarie will know.

[Wanderingred]

Absolutely robbed by Stoke at our place back in September. Genuinely one of the most undeserved losses we’ve suffered in recent years. It’s a shame we can’t send them down but let’s at least give them a pasting and see if we can break into the top ten.

Edited May 4 by Wanderingred

[Davefevs]

Hoping today will be a good competitive game.  Both managers will want to finish strongly / with momentum.  So fingers crossed.

[RedM]

[Davefevs]

[Davefevs]

Back 4 vibes?  Or Sykes LWB?

[westonred]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cqenv89y24jt

[eardun]

Q as to who plays LWB if sticking with back 3 - Sykes, Mehmeti or McCrorie perhaps (if Sykes goes RWB). Or perhaps back 4.