A few words sum up this brilliant video which has been completed less than 24 hours after Luis Suarez tried to cheat his way to a penalty versus Stoke City.
Brilliant, Well Executed, Love it
There’s been lot’s of banter/ abuse since the game and we have even got a new t shirt
CAUTION SUAREZ
Cheating Scouse Forward
Statistics can be deceptive. Data shows that on Saturday Swansea had 61% possession over Stoke’s 39%. Swansea may have seen more of the ball than us but rarely looked capable of gaining anything from the game. In fact, from the moment Peter Crouch headed us into the lead we were in total control of the game. When Crouch doubled our lead in the 36th minute it sealed the points. To have three points in the bag by half time was a rare luxury for Stoke. Swansea started the second half with more urgency but rarely looked likely to trouble us too much. We weathered the storm and comfortably played the game out. It was slightly disappointing not to score again, we’d have all loved Crouch to grab our first Premier League hat trick, but it was a thoroughly deserved and much needed victory. …. and the statistics can say whatever they like!
Our victory was crucial. We hadn’t won since April 7th. The green shoots of our evolution are refreshing but we maintain our status with points. It’s unlikely we’ll get much at all from the next two fixtures, at Anfield and Old Trafford, so it was crucial to deposit points in the bank. Anfield next, the kind of game in recent years in which we’ve seemed unwilling to break forward. With out recent acquisitions and the memory of giving Chelsea a tough game there is no reason not to set up to ensure we impose ourselves on the game. If we emerge defeated it shouldn’t be due to an over cautious approach.
The goal of the weekend came in Serie A. Fabrizio Miccoli’s strike for Palermo against Chievo was a magical piece of opportunism combining skill and grace. Watch it here then watch it again. And again and again. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYcKqoDjVys
The coming weekend will see the start of the most eagerly anticipated A-League season yet. The arrival of Alessandro Del Piero has thrown domestic football in Australia into the spotlight like never before. Since landing here a fortnight ago, Del Piero has behaved with ambassadorial dignity. Exuding charm and humility he’s absorbed the attention with statesmanlike grace. Emile Heskey arrived with considerably less fanfare than the Italian but the Newcastle Jets club shop has sold thousands of shirts bearing his name. So pre season we’ve had some much needed fresh interest in the game. Sydney and Newcastle have the men, but the key question is, do they have the team? Risking accusations of bias, it’s worth remembering that Brisbane Roar are the current champions and will again be a team to fear. The team that has emerged as champions twice in a row has been kept together with the addition of some promising new faces. Losing manager Ange Postecoglou to Melbourne Victory was a blow but the nucleus of the team remains. If Postecoglou’s successor, Rado Vidosic, can maintain the style and grace of recent seasons his promotion could yet prove to be a seamless transition. The big names are exciting and provide a welcome drawcard, but that isn’t the only way forward.
Behind the scenes documentary ‘Being Liverpool’ has recently been televised here in Australia. Try though I may it’s hard to see the point behind this programme. It carries little insight and has the aura of a huge PR stunt. The most illuminating discovery from the first episode was the staggering revelation that Steve Gerrard invites his mates round to his house to watch football matches on television. The best fly on the wall look at a football club was Hunter Davies ‘The Glory Game’. The author was granted access to the inner workings of Tottenham Hotspur football club for a season and the results were controversial, enlightening and for many involved deeply embarrassing. Perhaps the most telling fact is that few outsiders have been allowed such free access since. However, if Being Liverpool was produced in book form it’d carry all the cutting edge potency of an IKEA catalogue.
One of the weekend’s major surprises was Manchester United’s home defeat to Spurs. It was Spurs first victory at Old Trafford since December 1989. I attended that game many years ago and it was a memorable day for several reasons. It was the game I knew for sure that Paul Gascoigne could become a star and had to be in England’s World Cup squad. Another abiding memory is the anti Alex Ferguson sentiments among the home fans. In the pub pre match there was ongoing fury over Ferguson having been there for ‘four years’ and nothing had improved and sacking the manager was the only course of action. History has proven them all wrong of course, but that perception is all the more baffling when bearing in mind that, at that stage, Ferguson had been there for three years!! Manchester United are a different club and Alex Ferguson is a different manager than on that chilly day nearly 23 years ago, but Saturday’s improved second half performance suggests he’s still got his half time hairdryer!
On Sunday one of world football’s most eagerly anticipated fixtures will take place when Real Madrid face Barcelona at the Nou Camp. From Santiago to Tokyo, hundreds of millions throughout the world will tune in….. but not in Australia. ESPN televised the Spanish league in recent years but the increased cost of broadcast rights have led to La Liga being dropped from the station’s schedule. In consequence, for the first time in many years, this compelling war of footballing attrition won’t be shown here. The sun will continue to rise, the earth will continue to spin, but it’s a sad loss to the Australian football menu.
In the League Cup tie last week Nicolas Yennaris played for Arsenal against Coventry. As unremarkable as that may seem there was a quirky aside involved. The last time Arsenal hosted Coventry in 2000, Nicolas Yennaris was the mascot!
When we started www.stoketshirts.co.uk I never thought I’d see one of the biggest rock stars in the world wearing one of the shirts that I made. I’m very pleased to say I was wrong.
Here’s Slash – aka Saul Hudson – not only wearing a shirt that I made put actually proudly taking a picture of himself wearing it.
Slash – shirts so good I take pics of myself in them
Now for those of you that don’t know, Slash was bought up in Blurton, Stoke – on – Trent.
His most recent dvd was called Made In Stoke.
It just goes to show, you can take the lad out of Stoke, but you can never take Stoke out of the lad.
Just in case you were wondering where you can look like this ex Guns N Roses sweet child of mine – then pop over to our website where we stock all the official Oatcake Day Merchandise
http://www.stoketshirts.co.uk/webshop/catalog/index.php?cPath=75
We’ll shortly be adding the book “An Oatcake is For Life, Not Just for Breakfast” to the site.
In the opening phase of the game at Stamford Bridge we were under persistent pressure. Stoke couldn’t clear the ball and were overpowered and outmanoeuvred by Chelsea. We couldn’t keep the ball and conceded possession cheaply. Despite the brilliant sunshine, it seemed we could be facing a long bleak afternoon. To our players credit we managed to grow into the game. For all Chelsea’s possession it was Stoke who came closest to opening the scoring when, from a glorious free kick by Glenn Whelan, Jon Walters header hit the crossbar. It was noticeable that it was Whelan not Charlie Adam taking the free kick. Adam was based in a surprisingly advanced position but saw little of the ball. He also seemed inhibited after collecting a yellow card. In the second half however he floated in a dangerous corner that Peter Crouch almost got to. Methinks Glenn Whelan and Charlie Adam could soon become set piece rivals! As the game wore on we continued to defend with admirable discipline, we combined this with bold forward play. We carved out few clear chances but it was a refreshing change to impose ourselves on the game. At the point we dared to dream we may be able to earn a precious point our hopes were dashed. Ashley Cole’s ghosted run caught us out completely. Against a team of Chelsea’s quality there are moments you can’t legislate for, Cole’s awareness and movement was one thing we couldn’t match. It wasn’t a bad finish either. All that remained in the game was a vicious lunge by David Luiz on Jon Walters. On this blog last week I stated clearly that Andy Wilkinson was foolish to lash out Mario Balotelli, as a result he received a deserved three match ban. With that in mind it isn’t bias that leaves me aghast that referee Michael Oliver chose not to send Luiz off. Oliver was next to the incident and saw Luiz fly in two footed. A red card wouldn’t have changed the outcome of the match, nor is this yet another plea for consistency, quite simply, is it too much to ask for officials to correctly apply the laws of football? We emerged from the game with reasons to be optimistic. We put the European Champions under pressure on their homeground and at 0-0 Tony Pulis made substitutions to try and win the game. Our evolution continues!
As encouraging as the early season signs have been we need to start winning some games of football. The next league match is at home to Swansea. In all fairness, and with all respect due, it’s a game we should set out to win. Every opponent in this league will cause problems but this is an opportunity to chalk up three points. If we maintain our recent levels of enterprise we have every chance of doing so.
The Football Federation of Kosovo have sent a letter, signed by several European players, demanding that Kosovo be allowed to participate in international football. Both FIFA and UEFA have rules stating that only nations acknowledged by the United nations are allowed to join. Since gaining independence in 2008 the UN still refuses to accept them as a member…. on these grounds Serbia have publicly opposed Kosovan attempts to join the football family. The powers that be may have to draw on all their political and diplomatic expertise to ensure an outcome to appease everyone concerned.
The group stage of the Champions League commenced last week and arrived with a bang. Unlike the usual dull group matches, several games were filled with intense dramatic twists and turns. During the Olympics a pomposity developed which sneered at football. In fact, a recent trend has evolved which involves unfavourably comparing football to other sports. With monotonous regularity the question is asked why footballers don’t behave with the integrity of Olympians. Their hubris overlooks the fact that many Olympic sports are a mere novelty to be enjoyed once every four years. What we have as football supporters isn’t a passing fad, it’s an essential organic part of our lives. And when football is as absorbing and exciting as last weeks, it reminds us we have something that can’t be matched. As a shameless football propagandist I say that with bombastic pride!!!
Wednesday September 12th 2012 was historic. 450,000 documents related to the Hillsborough disaster, and subsequent cover up, were finally released into the public domain. In the House of Commons, British Prime Minister David Cameron formally apologised to the families of the victims. It’s possible that younger people have no idea of what happened on that terrible day in April 1989. No idea of the contempt we, as football supporters, were held in by all tiers of authority… especially the police. No idea that for several years the moment we associated ourselves with a football match all civil rights were immediately lost. It was former Deputy Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police John Stalker in the 80s who said he was aware that many police knew that football matches were one time they were “Let off the leash”. Anyone who regularly attended matches knew that the mismanagement and victimisation we received would be deemed unacceptable in any other area of society. Hillsborough was a tragedy for all football supporters. Sadly, the police cover up and scandalous tabloid lies led to many people, including football fans, just reinforcing their own prejudices about people from Merseyside. Hopefully the release of documents has helped to enlighten people regarding the terrible incidents of that day. Most importantly, we can hope that the families and friends of the bereaved can gain some comfort and that this is a step towards justice. RIP the 96.
The Stoke City evolution maintained steady progress against champions Manchester City. Steve N’Zonzi made an encouraging start to his Stoke career with some neat incisive passes and Garcia’s equalising goal aside, we defended with discipline and characteristic tenacity. We were fortunate that the officials didn’t spot Crouch’s handball in the run up to the goal, but any Stoke supporter who remembers Alan Wiley’s hopeless catalogue of errors when Manchester City visited the Brit in the 2009/10 season won’t feel too guilty! Man City’s equaliser arrived in the 35th minute when a free kick was floated into our box and we failed to pick up Garcia, who nodded home. From that point we were satisfied to get to half time at 1-1. Stoke started the second half in the ascendancy. We kept the ball in the opposition half well and managed to assert pressure on the visitors. In all fairness to Man City they absorbed our pressure well. The main aspect where their technical superiority was noticeable was when they played from the back. We pressed and hassled but they were rarely flustered and usually kept the ball. A frantic finale saw Asmir Begovic make a remarkable reflex save from Garcia’s header. The last kick of the game was Ryan Shawcross’ impressive last ditch clearance off the line following Dzeko’s lob over Begovic. The most poignant moment of those crazy final minutes was Michael Owen making his Stoke City debut to a rapturous welcome! All in all a draw was a fair result and we thoroughly served the point. One negative aspect to the game was Andy Wilkinson foolishly lashing out at Balotelli. Had Mark Clattenburg, or any of the officials spotted it, Wilko may well have seen red, jeopardised our point and he still risks an FA penalty. Our right back is 28 years of age and should know better than to react to any provocation.
To her credit German Chancellor Andrea Merkel has told gay footballers they should have no fear of publicly announcing their homosexuality. As in most nations, no high profile German player has ever ‘come out’. Sadly, Merkel’s words are unlikely to encourage many gay players to open up. An anonymous gay Bundesliga player recently stated that if he was to come out he’d feel his personal safety could be at risk. Other employers have structures in place to ensure equality in the workplace. Sexuality based prejudice shouldn’t have to be an issue in this day and age. In 2012 this is a very dark stain on football’s character.
Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid have made a shaky start to the season. 4 points from 12 is not what was expected at the Bernabeu. Combine poor form with Cristiano Ronaldo strangely informing the world of his sadness, all is not well. 10th place in the league and 8 points behind Barcelona, their Champions League campaign could be the only road to redemption. When Mourinho was appointed the Galactico was the manager. Mourinho was appointed to bring the European Cup to Madrid and was the one that couldn’t possibly fail. When they face Manchester City on Tuesday more than points will be at stake.
Benfica start their Champions League campaign without captain Luisao who has been banned for two months for physically attacking a referee. This story is odd on several levels, one being that this incident actually occurred during a pre season friendly against Fortuna Dusseldorf. A friendly! How would he cope with the intensity of a Champions League Final? Luisao is actually the Benfica captain. While other nations aren’t as preoccupied with captaincy as the English, surely more responsible leadership than that is to be expected. Why is the ban so short? An offence of such magnitude should be treated with the utmost seriousness, instead he’ll be back in the team by December. Combine that with the meagre two match touchline ban Alan Pardew received for manhandling a linesman officials could be forgiven for feeling authorities are failing to support them adequately.
An increasing focus on statistics removes some of the warmth from football. There are times when they are worth mentioning though. On Saturday, in his 700th game for Manchester United, Paul Scholes completed 41/45 (91%) of his passes and scored a goal. Scholes scored in his 100th, 200th, 300th, 400th, 500th, and 700th games for Manchester United. A bucketload of medals are the spoils of a very impressive career, but did he have an off day when he made his 600th appearance??
Another episode of “Reasons To Be Cheerful, Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” this time the opponents to visit Fortress Britannia were Premier League Champions Manchester City.
Reasons to be Cheerful
Oatcake Front Cover Stoke City vs Man City 15/09/12
25 years on from it’s birth the boys at the Oatcake still make me smile – A cracking front cover 🙂
N’Zonzi – I guessed he would start after Dave Kemp singled him out for praise in midweek. An early shout for player of the season!
The sun shines on the righteous
Great performances from the whole team. Marc Wilson was solid, Wilko as gritty as ever and Ryan’s last second clearance was top notch.
The pre match optimism
Crouch getting a decision that I’ve seen so many referees disallow goals for before now. Handball – Was it, wasn’t it? TP said post match “If Crouchies got away with one,I’m delighted. It makes a change if a small club has got a decision over a big one” Crouch said ” yes…. I did handball for the goal… I have to admit… but you have to take the breaks when u get them”
Stoke’s domination of the game, I pinched myself as we kept possession, progression 🙂
Stoke fans raising our game for Man City again – remember the 70th minute roar in our first season at the Brit against them? This wasn’t far away from that.
Man City fans – loved the No Limits Toure song
It’s all gone quiet over there
Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now
Man City fans – sung ’til they went behind, not a patch on their neighbours.
Ballotelli – for a guy built like a brick outhouse he spends too much time lying on the turf.
Teams
When 17 year old Michael Owen burst onto the scene in 1997 it taught me a vital lesson…. football supporters can maintain wondrous childlike fascinations other people can’t. Despite being 28 years of age and carrying battle hardened cynicism like a medal, I immediately idolised Owen. He was a very special player. Talented, fast and exciting, with an ability to create a yard of space for himself and score goals from odd angles. Michael Owen had the lot. I hoped for the boy wonder’s inclusion in Glenn Hoddle’s World Cup squad and my wish was granted. In St Etienne he scored his brilliant solo goal against Argentina my prodigy, rightly, became a global superstar. On his return to club football he scored a brilliant hat trick against Newcastle. As the plaudits rolled in the cap size remained the same. The archetypal mature head on young shoulders. One of my dearest wishes was for Owen to beat Bobby Charlton’s England scoring record…. for Owen to make history, and to shed one of the ghosts of 1966. Ongoing injuries scuppered that possibility but 40 goals in 89 international appearances is an impressive record for any player. Having spent time in the football wilderness, few could deny that Stoke City’s new acquisition is something of a risk. He’s signed a one year contract. The pace of youth may have gone but penalty box instinct like that never leaves. It’d be foolish to set a target so if he can just score some goals for us the risk will have paid off. And we can return to St Etienne, albeit briefly. Good luck Michael!!
(Want to see Micheal’s first goals at the Brit? Check this out and let’s hope we see plenty more soon – Owen at The Brit )// //
In Moldova, England produced a professional performance. From the moment Frank Lampard’s penalty put us ahead the result wasn’t in doubt. Nobody can claim Moldova are a major player on the world stage but in the past these games have been more difficult that they should be, so to run out 5-0 winners is satisfying. Ukraine provide England’s next challenge and will be a much tougher proposition. But if everyone plays with the same level of discipline and focus we have every chance of winning the game. The national team is now operating on a much more stable footing. It’s pleasing that Hodgson’s experience and wisdom has removed the drama and the circus that surrounds the England set up.
There is very little glory for the lesser European nations. Did Andorra’s 0-5 thrashing by Hungary assist their footballing development in any way at all? Has Lichtenstein’s 1-8 defeat to Bosnia helped them to acclimatise to the demands of the international game? Of course not. Having so many teams in who are merely cannon fodder is devaluing the qualifying process. This could get worse too. The foolish decision to expand the European Championship from 16 to 24 teams will result in almost half the teams in the qualifying competition will take part in the tournament. It has to be the right time to introduce a preliminary qualifying competition. Surely it’s time to put emphasis on quality.
The Confederation of African Football recently held their national conference in the Seychelles. Amid allegations of corruption, Issa Hayatou has been the president of the CAF for 25 years. Rumours had floated around the African game that 2010 World Cup CEO Danny Jordaan was preparing to stand against Hayatou. Organising a World Cup and experience of negotiating with other federations suggests Jordaan is man worthy of African football’s top job. However, at last weeks conference new rules were introduced preventing any challenge from Jordaan. Those without CAF voting rights are no longer allowed to challenge for Hayatou’s job, effectively handing the president re-election unopposed. An undemocratic act of cunning which does nothing to restore the public’s faith in the game’s administrators.
Superstar Alessandro Del Piero has joined Sydney FC. It is undoubtedly the biggest signing in the A-League’s (admittedly short) history. The general response is positive. Undoubtedly it will encourage many non football fans to attend a few games generating much needed revenue and interest. It’s also a relief as it provides pre season in Australia with a fresh discussion point after recent crowd violence. So overall, it’s ‘good for the game’ in Australia. However, it isn’t the only way to promote football. Risking accusations of bias, I suggest that Brisbane Roar’s recent achievements eclipse anything Del Piero can contribute to football here. Ange Postecoglou transformed Brisbane Roar into the most formidable force in the history of Australian sport. Playing quick crisp exciting football, Brisbane swept aside all comers with an irresistible combination of incisive passing and an ability to create chances at will. Watching these dazzling displays of kaleidoscopic movement was an absolute privilege. It’s entirely appropriate that Roar wear orange shirts. It’ll be exciting to see a player of Del Piero’s stature in the flesh, but it isn’t the only way forward.
// //
Loving this video which shows a young Michael Owen punishing a young goalkeeper (no it’s not Dave Kitson!) who was being coached by Neville Southall for an early coaching video.
If only he was coming to Stoke at that age 🙂
Check it out below
A week or so ago we got a call from The Donna Louise Children’s Hospice Trust to enquire if we print umbrellas. Odd we thought but it was then explained that it was to launch a new appeal to help combat the lack of funds that the hospice has received due to events being cancelled during the rainy summer.
The Rainy Days Appeal was launched earlier this afternoon (Thursday 6th September) at The Hospice by Stoke City’s Rory Delap, The Lawton Family (Liam and his Mum Lisa) who are supported by the charity, under our printed umbrellas.
Rory starts to serenade Liam & Lisa “Under my Umbrella, ella, ella”
The Trentham-based Hospice is now launching its Rainy Days Appeal to encourage people
to make a quick donation and to also have some fun raising money.
Through the appeal, people can make a quick and simple donation to www.justgiving.com/
rainydaysappeal where each donation of £5 or more will automatically be entered into a
prize draw to win a Family ticket to Waterworld.
Donations can also be made by mobile, just TEXT “Rain77 £(amount)” to 70070 or by
cheque made payable to The Donna Louise Trust. Alternatively, call into the Hospice at
Grace Road in Trentham with any donations.
The idea of the Rainy Days Appeal is to have some fun organising an event where you may get wet!
If you would like to hold a fundraising event, why not have a wellie day, where everyone can
enjoy swapping their shoes for wellies in return for a donation.
Melanie Mills, Director of Fundraising and PR, said: “Our fundraising income is 30% lower
than expected and we are now drawing on our reserves to ensure the 24/7 running costs of
the Hospice can be met.
The Summer months of June, July and August are usually some of our busiest and most
successful fundraising months. However, due to the poor weather this year, we have ended
the summer £80,000 short of our expected income. To put that in context, £80,000 is enough
to run our Hospice service for 13 days.
“We are committed to keeping the Hospice open 24/7, but we need help to make up some of
the shortfall and are calling on the generosity of local people and businesses to join us.”
Melanie added: “We are a local hospice, supported by the local community and caring for
local children and their families. Please join us by donating or having a wellie day and help us
ensure we can always be there for the children who need us – rain or shine.”
Keep in touch with the Fundraising Team with any wellie events and contact them on 01782
654444 or email:info@donnalouisetrust.org. You can also visit www.donnalouisetrust.org and
join them on Facebook.
We’ve found a great website with photos of Rory getting a soaking from a young lady at the event – make sure you check out both pages 🙂
http://mepics.zenfolio.com/rory/h41CBD1F6#h41cbd708
So it’s decision time for TP. Who will make the final squad of 25 for Stoke City in the English Premier League?
His last signing of the season has been made with the arrival of Michael Owen (some of us sort of forecast this back in June – see video)
So who makes your 25?
Will Mama make it alongside Michael?
Please leave us your predictions below as a comment