As I saw the starting eleven for today I was fairly confident, only the one change in the side that faced Sheffield United on Wednesday, with the suspended Dan Neil making way for Jay Matete. If we play like we did against Sheffield, or even QPR we should win.
The first five minutes we allowed Stoke to press and force some errors, one long ball was met by Patto but as he went to hit it he miss-kicked it and it struck the Stoke attacker, thankfully it didn’t lead to anything but it was a warning sign. Then a minute later O’Nien looked like he was fouled but the ref didn’t blow, and Delap cut inside but his shot was blocked.
O9 picked up the first booking of the game to no one's surprise for tripping an attacker making a run in behind. He didn’t argue it and he had nothing to argue anyway, he knew what he was doing and he got caught. The free kick forced a save out of Patto who was forced to make a few saves early on and for the first 15 minutes I’d say Stoke were looking the most likely to take the lead, but it was early days.
Gooch started well, making a lovely ball to Simms that led to a wide shot. Other than that he was a handful for his opposing number, putting a few teasing balls into the area and just getting at his man.
We weathered the early storm breeze and after 25 minutes we were on top, troubling the Potters defence. We had a few corners that led to some awkward moments where the ball could have gone anywhere, and we had a few chances where we had a lot of space on the edge of the box but we were too afraid to strike. We shouldn’t be afraid to have a pop, especially since we’ve conceded a few from outside the area this season.
There was a lengthy break in play after a collision from Simms and Kilkenny resulted in a nose bleed for the Stoke man, whilst he was receiving treatment the away support were in full voice, and to be honest they were throughout the game, I can’t recall one moment in the game I heard a Stoke peep.
Four minutes added on, and the last ten minutes of the half had been poor and we were just seeing it out until half time, then Jack Clarke cut inside at the halfway line, played the most casual of balls over the top and LND took two touches and smashed it past the keeper who really should have done better. I must say we made that look so so easy, and that pass from Clarke was sublime. 1-0 to the mighty Sunlun at half time.
Second half, two changes, Corry Evans for Jay Matete and Bailey Wright for O’Nien. We needed a change in tempo and with three yellow cards AN was probably airing on the side of caution. It wasn’t the greatest first 45, and we were fortunate to go into the break with the one goal lead, but that gave us something to work from.
We started off the second half bright, and Liam Delap went in hard on Cirkin and deservedly got a yellow card. He had left a few in on O’Nien in the first half too. Bailey Wright then got a very soft yellow a minute later, taking a man down on the touchline, don't get me wrong it was a foul, but a yellow? Never.
After an hour we were still one to the good, and they decided to bring on former Mag Dwight Gayle. The decision to bring Evans on was a good one, he gave the midfield more composure and stopped us from being overrun in midfield. Very smart move by Alex Neil.
The game ahad settled, a few fouls here and there and Sunderland had six yellows to their name. We got a free kick in their territory and played it quickly to Simms, who held it up nicely and laid off Evans who had a free shot on goal but he biffed it wide, a very poor shot.
12 minutes to go and there were chances at either end, real end to end stuff, Stoke almost have a calamity at the back with a poor back pass to the keeper who hits it direct and it falls to Dwight Gayle, who had a great chance to equalise but he hit it over the bar, we got away with that one.
Pritchard made way for Trai Hume with a few minutes to go, which moved Gooch into a midfield position still in front but Neil just made a defensive change to see out the game. The ball bobbles around our box and then we immediately send Stewart in, he takes it around the keeper with a heavy touch and instead of shooting in the open goal with his left, he takes time and switches it to his right before firing wide from about 9 yards. Something you don’t see too often from him, think he had too much time if anything and he over thought it.
We grinded out the result and earned the three points, it was a very scrappy second half which saw the ref dish out a million yellow cards. We should have really been 2-0 up after that Ross Stewart chance which would have alleviated some pressure but in the end it didn’t come back to haunt us, thankfully. Regardless we head back to Wearside with the three points, thanks to a Ross Stewart strike, some good subs by Alex Neil and a solid defensive display.
ALS Man of The Match: Alex Neil
It wasn’t the best 90 from the Lads, but they were set up in the best way possible to get all three points and that's thanks to the boss. The shape allowed us to create and render Stoke’s attack non-efficient. Another example of his tactical prowess was the decision to bring on Corry Evans, for me that won us the game as he gave our midfield some composure and stopped that habit we had of losing it after two passes. More proof that we have one of the better coaches in this division, and hopefully we back him more in the window.
