On Stanley Matthews Day, Tony Pulis celebrated his 300th game in charge of Stoke with a comfortable and comprehensive 3-0 win over Blackburn, with the third and best goal being scored by a player he plucked from obscurity, revitalised and propelled to the verge of the England Team, a goal befitting the celebration of Sir Stanley’s life.

The Stoke side had a few changes and just looked that much more balanced than it has of late, with the recall of Lawrence on the right and Whitehead and Delap moved back into their best positions in the middle. Fuller was also rewarded with another start alongside the familiar face of Sidibe, who was hoping to make more of an impression than he did in the awful, awful Sunderland game.

It was as comfortable a victory that I have seen since our return to the top tier, even when we led at 2-0 we kept a high line and pushed for the third, granted it was easier playing against ten men, but make no mistake, the win was comprehensive and well deserved.

Unfortunately the win was overshadowed by the news of a Blackburn fan who was taken to Hospital in Critical condition who has since passed away. Things like this always bring everything into perspective and my thoughts as well as those of thousands of other Stokies and I’m sure others the World over, are with John Taylor’s family and friends – R.I.P

Manager Rating – 9 – My only criticism was that Tuncay did not come on earlier in more of an experimental capacity, at 3-0 against 10 men, it would have been worthwhile in my opinion to take off Mama and try Tunny and Ric up front again, or even Tunny wide on the right, I think this was an opportunity missed. That said, I think the majority of the fans were pleased with the line up and substitutions and it again showed just how important the balance is with the inclusion of a natural wide right player.

Player Ratings

Sorensen – 6 – Hmm, I think Thomas seems to be feeling the pressure a little and is making choices he wouldn’t normally make in terms of coming for certain crosses and it was to his detriment as he was more often than not left flapping at thin air. I don’t think Begovic will come in this season unless Thomas has a big dip in form or injury, so he should just concentrate on doing what he always does and not keep looking over his shoulder.

Wilkinson – 9 – Wow.. A great game from Wilko, every inch the Premier League Full Back and should be in the position for us every week. I can’t applaud his bravery enough as he stooped to block a Blackburn attempt by putting his head in the way, only to get up seconds later with blood pouring from his head to a standing ovation. I can only imagine what it was like watching a whole backline of Wilkos in the 70’s and it’s a crying shame that his breed are so rare in today’s game. A special mention too for THAT tackle which got the crowd on their feet every bit as much as the goals did. A close second in the MOTM stakes..

Huth – 8 – Robbie was back in his favoured position in the middle and looks to have struck up a good partnership with Shawcross, he let Di Santo know early on what he was in for and seems to know every trick in the book as to the limits of what he can get away with contact wise. I have to say I still get nervous with his man handling ways and all it needs is a ref with a point to prove (thank god Styles isn’t around at the moment) and things could be so much different

Shawcross – 7.5 – Much like Huth, Ryan seems to be showing a bit of immaturity at the moment with his hands on approach, I don’t know if I’ve just not spotted it before or whether it is due to the fact he has been marking some of the better target men over the last two games in Nelson/Samba/Kenwyne. This referee had obviously watched the Sunderland game as he made a point of booking Shawcross and Samba for jostling, fortunately it worked in our favour but it so easily could have been the other way around.

Higginbotham – 9 – What a game for the makeshift Full Back.. I much prefer him in the middle but he is in the team at Left Back on merit and quite rightly wore the Captain’s armband in the absence of Faye. A well taken goal and if it wasn’t for the two headers cleared off the line he would have taken the match ball home with him.

Lawrence – 8 – Not a bad individual performance from Liam who perhaps had a point to prove, unlike his last appearance, he concentrated on getting the basics right and he did them well. His inclusion brought about a welcome balance to the side and the team benefitted by having 3 outlets, we had options long through the middle and short out to both the left and the right.

Whitehead – 8.5 – Another tireless performance from Deano, he gets better and better with each game and I’m really chuffed he is getting the credit he deserves. I was one who really wasn’t impressed with his early performances but he has come on leaps and bounds as he got used to our system and is one of the first names on the team sheet for me now.

Delap – 7.5 – Glad to see Rory back in the middle. I’ve been critical of using Rory’s throws so much but as long as we’re not accommodating his presence for those solely then I am happy enough, and he is worth his place in the middle. Did all the basics right and covered well, he looks more comfortable there and I would be happy for him and Deano to be the first choice pairing in the middle until the season’s end.

Etherington – 9.5 – Man of the Match – Are you watching Fabio? Player of the Season elect Etherington had another blinding game on the left having a hand in all 3 of Stoke’s goals including a most sublime finish for Stoke’s 3rd, I could wax lyrical all day but I have been doing so every week since the Everton game so you’re probably sick of hearing it. I have been calling for his inclusion in the England Squad for months and I’m glad he is finally getting a bit of recognition, I’m hopeful of him getting a call up for the Friendly against Egypt and his odds of 3/1 to be on the plane to South Africa perhaps illustrate that my ramblings aren’t so far fetched after all.

Sidibe – 8.5 – One good, one bad seems to be the story with Mama at the moment. His woeful display at Sunderland was a world away from this all action performance against Blackburn. I’m not sure if he has been struggling fitness wise but his performance today against arguably the best two defenders aerially was a joy to watch. I hope this Mama is here to stay and on this showing, including a rare goal, he deserves a start against Wigan where he can hopefully continue his good run.

Fuller – 8 – I’m glad Ric got another start, I say it every week but we are a much more advanced shape with him in the side as the ball sticks to him. He didn’t get much personal glory on the day but played his part in many of our attacks and also Samba’s sending off. I truly believe we can’t leave him out of the side, which doesn’t bode terribly well for Tuncay.

Substitutes

Tuncay – 7 – Looked lively when he came on and the Manager has a real selection dilemma with Fuller and Sidibe in such good form, I think the 7 matches in February will see each one get plenty of pitch time so this shouldn’t be a problem.

Beattie – 6 – The rumour is that Beats was asking for a very unrealistic £60k/week to move to Fulham, so it would seem he is happy to sit out his contract at Stoke. If that is the case he needs to start putting the effort in and get back to something like the player we saw last season.

Whelan – Brought on in injury time, not long enough to rate.