Stoke were so unfortunate not to get something from this game as we were once again given an inept referee who missed at least one penalty decision and a red for the eventual match winner.

Heartbreak… ©PA Photos

It’s becoming a bit of an unwelcome theme for us of late with a number of key decisions going against us and Saturday’s match against Bolton who are rapidly becoming a bit of a bogey team for us was no different as once more we had the better of the game but left with nothing after a late comeback.

As ever there were various talking points which I will do my best to cover..

Team Selection/Setup – I was most surprised to see Pulis selecting two out and out wingers for an AWAY match, it’s entirely unheard of and truly represents a most welcome mind shift from the manager as well as an increased confidence in his team. Over the last few games we have played much more football and used the talents on the flanks to good effect, we looked like the home team in this game and I can’t emphasise enough just how far up the pitch we were – it was great to see and long may it continue.

Sorensen – Tommy had another so/so game as he lined up in goal despite having an injury from International duty, it’s interesting that he seems to overcome these injuries so much quicker now he has a more able understudy in Begovic. The young Bosnian may get his chance now though as Tommy was to blame in the lead up to the goal to leave the Manager berating him for the second time in as many weeks for his failings. The question is, will Pulis opt to throw Begovic in at the deep end against Man Utd or will he give the more experienced Sorensen one more game? Another consideration is that we don’t really know just how burnt the bridges are with Begovic and as we know, if this Manager doesn’t like you…

Pennant – Another game, another sterling performance from the wide man who looks very much at home on our right. I said it last time but it makes such a change to see a player enjoying himself and smiling all the time and hopefully that is a sign that he is happy here and ready to commit to a long term offer that must be in the offing come the end of his loan period.

Taxi for Tuncay – Once again we hear of another act of petulance by Tuncay when instead of staying to cheer on his team mates who made the squad he ordered a taxi and left before kick off. This isn’t the first time Tunny has done this and despite his comments to the press last week of doing his best to get back in the team, to me that seems at odds with his behaviour. I don’t expect we will see much of Tuncay again in the red and white but something has clearly gone on, I’m not sure if it is solely down to the storming down the tunnel/away in a taxi or whether it’s simply that despite his flicks and twirls he really isn’t that good a player. What Tuncay needs to appreciate is that Stoke is a team and having had clubs and indeed National sides build their team around him this must be a foreign concept.

Jon Walters – I’m still pretty undecided on Walters… He is better than Mama, he can score goals, can run all day and also has an eye for the pass but despite all this he isn’t making as big an impact as I would have hoped. I guess it’s still relatively early to judge but the groans are getting louder and unfortunately for Jon the situation with fan’s favourite Tuncay doesn’t help.

Gudjohnsen – I have said before that I was concerned at where EG was going to fit in and I remain sceptical. It’s clear to see he is carrying weight and still some distance from fitness but when he IS fit, will he replace Walters? Will he be able to play in that role? He strikes me as a less energetic Tuncay (and we know what happened there) I read Gudjon Thordarson’s piece on him and when he described his style and the service he needs and how he won’t chase lost causes, I could have wept, surely we haven’t signed another profile player who is costing a fortune and will never fit in?

A good time to play Man Utd... ©GettyImages

So, onto next week where we face the (not so) mighty Man Utd at home in a game both Managers will be desperate to win. They travel to play in Europe on Weds so the Potters will have had an extra few days rest and I hope that Ric’s shoulder recovers in time to play a part. I spoke above at how happy and surprised I was at our set up away from home and that it truly marks a shift in mindset for the Manager but I fear much like the game last year against the same opposition and indeed Liverpool that Pulis will be like a rabbit caught in the headlights and revert to protecting the point where in reality, from what I have seen of this team we really could take all 3.

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