Stoke City outgunned by Bristol in first home game of season

Stoke 0 Bristol City (1) 2

(20/9/20 2pm Championship)
Stoke were outclassed by a more determined Bristol side that bossed Stoke from the opening kick. Michael O’Neill’s side conceded 3 seconds before the end of the first half, and were then unsurprisingly caught on the break late on as they pushed for an equaliser. Stoke’s defence still needs more work, but here is how the game unfolded in real time:
Back to normality, league action after a dramatic Cup win at Premier Wolves. MON reverts to his League line-up (after 7 changes in mid-week), with Tyrese’s dad no doubt fuming that his son is replaced by Jacob Brown, the Wolves goal scorer. Has anyone noticed that Ince is replaced on the bench…? Has a new Ince-less era begun?
1.55 Nick Powell, who is going for the record number of head injuries at Stoke (against record holders Wilco & Huth) almost has another bandage after heading the back of the nut of Weimann. He should give up on this tactic.
3.30 Clucas’ back-pass is short for Davies, who has to make a save. He won’t be Captain for long if he does that again.
20.01 As Stoke continue to have to defend, it is noticeable that they spend quite a lot of the time with FIVE across the back. Bristol trying to stretch them as wide as possible.
29.10 As Brown is sandwiched in the penalty area, it is noticeable that Jacob is attracting 2 or more defenders now Bristol have noticed that he shoots on sight. Meanwhile, Fox is playing so wide on the left that he might as well be playing in the Tile Mountain stand.
34.40 Clucas demonstrating the new “I’m ready to take the corner!” signal. He holds the ball high in the air. Ugh! Hope he’s got some hand sanitiser available.
43.20 Weimann (Bristol’s Jacob Brown) zings a shot that requires a tip-over by Davies.
45+2 0-1 !!! Wells somehow squeezes the ball in after a long cross is pulled back despite THREE defenders trying to stop Martin. IT WAS THREE SECONDS BEFORE HALF-TIME!
HT City 0 City 1
45.00 Fletcher on for Vokes – surely that was the last start for Sam. Looking forward to seeing Fox actually playing on the pitch (not outside the touchline).
47.10 Adam Davies getting far too many back passes. It’s like the 1970s again!
50.45 Fletcher leaves two defenders on the floor whilst failing to connect with a cross. He’s proving a real tough cookie already.
53.55 Another pass back to Davies from Batth is as dodgy as it gets. Adam manages to clear into touch. No more now. Stoke defenders looking like they did under Gary Rowett (ie. going backwards).
65.01 Tyrese on for Jacob Brown who has faded in comparison to Fletcher.
66.50 Powell collapses after his left foot gets crushed by a falling defender. At least it’s not another head injury.
79.01 Tymon on for Martins Indi. Is that 4-4-2? Fox hasn’t really got forward to make crosses. Bristol have certainly contained Stoke’s flanks! No shots on target yet!
88.50 0-2 !!! Stoke caught at the back, with only 2 in the centre instead of 3. Batth is caught, and Semenyo  sets up Weimann for an easy finish. Bristol looking by far the better prepared side. Stoke still no shots on target.
90+6 The battle of the Cities is over, and a comfortable win for the Bristol mob. City 0 City 2.
Dave Lee
Dave Lee
Sports Reporter - Stoke City

Latest Local Sports News

Must Read News