Sunday was a funny game, Stoke once again came back from a deficit to record a win, their first away win of the season no less. Even though we got 3 points, the reaction from many was one of confusion and frustration as Pulis once again baffled with his team selection and set up.

Super Kenwyne Jones... ©PA Photos

The noises started as the teamsheets were released, it seemed Wilko had been kept at fullback despite that tackle, Delap had been dropped despite Newcastle having an inexperienced keeper, Whitehead was on the right and Diao and Whelan both came into the middle. In addition to this, Tuncay was once again left out of the matchday squad despite a Man of the Match performance midweek, raising further questions about the Turk’s future at the Britannia.

What followed was probably one of the worst 45 mins I have seen us play in recent years. We know what to expect from a Pulis away performance but the side was so disjointed with the changes and defensively heavy that we barely got out of our own half at all and every single clearance ended up at the feet of a Newcastle player to launch yet another attack – it was painful to watch. As per usual we came out a different side in the second half and took the game to Newcastle and ended up eventual victors, a magnificent 3 points from an away win but plenty of talking points.

Team Selection – As above, Pulis continues to baffle with his selections, we know Pennant is injured and I think many would have even taken Delap on the right given the inexperienced Krul was a prime target for plenty of long throws but alas not, Delap was dropped and Whitehead was put out on the right. Wilkinson was also brought back in and he had a nightmare, once more he was identified as the weak link and Newcastle ruthlessly targeted our right hand side accordingly. I guess hidden in those selections there could be a couple of positives, those are that Pulis saw the impact Huth had in the middle against Fulham, both in his own performance and also that of Ryan alongside him. The dropping of Delap could also be seen favourably in as much as we want to try and play without the option of the throw, I’m just not sure today was the day to make that statement as we struggled terribly to gain any territorial advantage with no Fuller or Delap from the start.

Stoke fans are finding it hard to understand these selections and most would have picked the side we finished with as the one we should have started with, why does TP wait until we are behind to use them? I understand the tactic of ‘roping the dope’ but we had nothing at all going forward and the excellent Jones was entirely starved of any service, we looked like a League 2 side defending for our lives when the truth is we have the players to do so much better whilst still remaining defensive and organised.

Wilkinson – I’m afraid Wilko isn’t good enough at this level and struggled with the pacy wingers he faced. He has done brilliantly since we came up but I think it’s time we looked beyond him for that position, unfortunately we only have Huth as the alternative and he is far from ideal there either. It was clear to all that the events of the Fulham game and the aftermath affected Wilko as he clearly backed out of challenges and more worryingly, and perhaps cynically on my part, he should have brought down a player and been booked as we were caught out badly on the break after we went into the lead, instead he held his hands up and let the player pass.

Collins – It would be remiss of me to not mention Collins’ excellent showing, he has done a lot better this season, though like many I would have expected Higgy to retain his place after a great game in the Cup where he scored to cap off his best game in some time, I think the back line misses his leadership, but we mustn't complain at the impact Collins has had this season.

Diao – Another who played well against Fulham got his chance again, and he did very well. It’s clear that Pulis rates Salif and that he is very keen to recruit another midfield destroyer in his mould. Sal broke the play up well and protected the back four but as ever picked up a booking and given his lack of fitness was a concern for the remainder of the game.

Matty Etherington - Another good game, another assist for Matty, he is second only to Drogba and Nani in that respect and calls from Pulis for him to be called up to the England squad are happily echoed from the Potters faithful as he builds on his Player of the Season form of the previous term.

Kenwyne Jones - Another goal for KJ, making it 4 in 4 for the new recruit. He is lookin every inch a Stoke player and despite what must have been a frustrating half, he remained aware enough to score and hit the woodwork a couple of times too. Stoke have hit the woodwork more than any other team in the Prem this season and KJ more than any other player.

Fuller – It seems that along with the shock of KJ replacing Fuller in his role and not Mama’s, Pulis has decided that Fuller’s involvement from now will consist of fleeting appearances from the bench as a ‘game changer’, a role he protests Ric enjoys. Fuller is without doubt the ONLY player who makes things happen single handedly, sure Matty can run with the ball and beat a couple of players but he is alone up front when he does. Ric can take the ball past 3 players then beat them again and the team as a whole react and push further up the pitch allowing us to defend from the front That is the problem we have, we are sat too damn deep and without Fuller on the pitch we are really struggling to get away from defending our own 18 yard line. Pulis has to ask himself if he would actually need a game changer if he actually picked his best players from the start? It was therefore even more frustrating to see Fuller go to beat 2 men out wide, get fouled and fall awkwardly dislocating his shoulder, luckily there was no fracture and the talismanic Jamaican should return sooner rather than later.

Tuncay/Gudjohnsen – I think it is now clear to all that Tuncay has no future at Stoke despite noises to the contrary coming out of the club. His Man of the Match performance midweek not enough to convince Pulis to use him ahead of a clearly unfit Gudjohnsen. I think the insult to Tuncay is that his lack of involvement after his initial arrival was, according to his Manager, down to his fitness and to see Diao and Gudjohnsen who is frighteningly off the pace must really hurt. I’m not Tunny’s biggest fan and I can see why he frustrates Pulis but even for 20 mins he brings more to the table than the unfit Icelander. In the short space of time I have seen Eidur he has looked alarmingly anonymous and unwilling to perform in the way Pulis would ordinarily expect. Ironically the last time I felt like this about a signing was about Tuncay, both are link up men with a good footballing brain, the difference is that Tuncay will run all day, which you would think would put him in front of the more considered Gudjohnsen. I might be doing Eidur a disservice as his performances will no doubt improve with his fitness and match time but I just can’t see him being a success at Stoke in Stoke’s system.

So onto the Blackburn game, will we see Ric back in time? I would like to think that Pulis would take the opportunity to rest him with the International break coming up, but then I said the same of Kenwyne when he was picked at Chelsea whilst clearly still struggling with an injury before the last one. If Fuller is rested or doesn’t make it, will Tuncay feature? I wouldn’t put any money on it…. Unlike this weekend where I managed to get £10 on at 42/1 for Stoke to be losing at half time and go on to win, well I might as well make a few quid out of our frustrating predictability?

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