11 Aug 2015 07:08:11
Not a good performance but good result, I think it should be left at that rather than peps saying we're not good enough and city look title contenders.
ITS 1 GAME! 3pts! Job done!

{Ed001's Note - or people saying it was a good performance? Because that is just the same.}

1.) 11 Aug 2015
11 Aug 2015 09:53:32
To be honest Stoke are not an easy team to play against, we should be happy with any win against them

2.) 11 Aug 2015
11 Aug 2015 12:31:43
It wasn't a good performance ed clearly not. But would you not agree that it wasn't a bad performance as in no player was awful just a bit lethargic at times. I think that there was enough there to build on going forward anyway.

{Ed001's Note - no player was awful, I agree, but no player was playing well either and that should worry us all. I would rather see one or two have an off game but the rest play well. If everyone is a 6 out of 10 every week, then we will struggle badly to win. There is always something to build on, even if it is a disastrous performance, you should be able to learn lessons from it. The problem is that this performance showed no signs of an improvement over last season's performances. So we have good reason to be worried. Though it does need to be put into context that it is a new season, so it can be understood, but the players need to improve next time out.}

3.) 11 Aug 2015
11 Aug 2015 14:28:15
Completely agree ed my point was defensively we were better. Stoke weren't great but I doubt many other teams will give up so few chances there. We were also never really under threat. My hope is that the forward fluidity almost takes care of itself as lalanna and Ibe had off games compared to preseason and coutinho was quiet and benteke didn't get a sniff. so if we have somewhat more stability defensively my thought would be we just have to hope coutinho firmino lalanna ibe Benteke etc. Start linking up as they get familiarized and do what they're essentially there to do. providing and scoring goals

{Ed001's Note - I was worried by the ease that a ball over the top opened us up, I hope that is looked at because we will face better forwards, in terms of ability and form, as the season goes on.}

4.) 11 Aug 2015
11 Aug 2015 14:31:18
I would also have to disagree as I'm of the opinion that you're only as strong as your weakest link and last season even when we did play well a couple of individual errors cost us games from one or two players having on off day. I would prefer to see us for the time being anyway hope for consistent 6 or 7/10 and then hope one or two players have a good day to push us over the line as a good start is key and don't think we could afford any 3 or 4/10 performances at the moment! Cheers

{Ed001's Note - but we should have consistent 7/10s plus a few 8/10s as well as one or two having a poor game. A consistent 6 out of 10 will lose too many.}

5.) 11 Aug 2015
11 Aug 2015 16:02:42
Fair enough ed and yeah in the first half it did look like diouf would have a field day as I think you said somewhere else a better striker would have had chances. I guess I'm just the eternal optimist ha I don't disagree with your points at all most are pretty much coinciding with what I was saying just think you're a little more sceptical than I am which is fair enough. But if you offered that performance and result on Friday I would have taken it no questions asked. Not over the moon with it but I think it had the look of a potential step in the right direction for me! Good talking to you and hearing your opinions as always!

{Ed001's Note - I would have taken it too, especially after seeing the team sheet and fearing the worst!}