Clash of the Saints v Sinners at the Britannia Stadium (From Daily Echo)
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Clash of the Saints v Sinners at the Britannia Stadium
9:00am Saturday 29th December 2012 in Sport
By Simon Carter, Sports Editor
IT’S the clash of Saints v Sinners this afternoon.
Nigel Adkins’ Southampton against Tony Pulis’ Stoke City.
The team with the best disciplinary record in the Premier League, against the team with the worst.
And a clash of two managers with vastly different philosophies and tactics.
Saints are the side that referees have enjoyed taking charge of this season, with Adkins’ men having only picked up 15 bookings in the league.
In total contrast, Stoke have collected 41 bookings and two red cards.
Saints have yet to pick up any suspensions this season, with midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin the nearest with four yellow cards.
Stoke have already seen one player, Dean Whitehead, serve a ban for five cautions, while Ryan Shawcross and Geoff Cameron are banned this afternoon after their fifth caution of the season against Liverpool.
Defender Andy Wilkinson is currently on four bookings.
This is the Potters’ fifth season in the top flight of English football. During their whole time in the Premier League they have won few friends with their tactics and styles.
To begin with, it was their alleged over-dependence on the remarkable throw-ins of ex-Saints midfielder Rory Delap.
Delap, however, has not played a league game this season since the opening day 1-1 draw at Reading.
Yet still Stoke continue to defy their critics.
Last weekend’s 0-0 draw at Tottenham was their fifth goalless stalemate of the season.
Not only that, but it stretched their unbeaten league run to eight games – their best ever Premier League run without a loss.
That was improved to nine by Boxing Day’s 3-1 home win over Liverpool.
Their performance at Tottenham, though never likely to win them any new friends outside of Staffordshire, left Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas describing Stoke’s defence as “among the best in Europe.”
That is some claim.
Stoke’s supposed aggressive and dour style, however, continues to attract as many headlines as their impressive achievements.
Pulis has created something of a seige mentality at the Britannia Stadium during his obviously successful time in charge.
In many ways, they are the 21st century equivalent of the Wimbledon side who ruffled so many feathers of ‘bigger’ clubs back in the 80s and early 90s.
No one liked them, apart from those who always champion the underdog, but the Dons didn’t care.
Stoke are similar, just with much bigger crowds.
The supporters always did their best to turn Stoke’s home ground into an intimidating place for away fans and teams, even when they played at the Victoria Ground.
And Stoke’s style also ensures that opposition teams are never allowed to settle into their favoured routine.
Nothing wrong with that, though, is there?
Stoke are hardly going to stand off and let Morgan Schneiderlin, Gaston Ramirez and Jason Puncheon all the space they need to create chances, are they?
Pulis also believes referees are targeting his own players.
He recently had words with referees’ chief Mike Riley in his on-going battle to win justice for his oft-criticised players.
Pulis told Riley, chairman of the Professional Game Match Officials Board, that too many referees are going into Stoke games with preconceptions about their allegedly aggressive style.
“I have spoken to Mike Riley and given him a piece of my mind on the subject,” said the former Bournemouth midfielder.
“I find the whole situation disappointing week after week.
“Look at the incidents where our players are being booked or sent off, then compare them with similar incidents involving others that are going unpunished.
“All we have ever asked is to be treated the same as everyone else, but there are preconceptions about us that are unfair.”
Though Stoke have one of the worst disciplinary records in the top flight this term, that hasn’t been the case throughout their time in the Premier League.
They only had two red cards and 54 bookings in their 38 games last season, by no means the worst record. QPR, for example, had nine red cards and Chelsea collected 74 bookings – 14 more than Stoke.
Pulis’ comments about his talks with Riley were meant as further ammunition to the ‘seige mentality’ spirit he has built.
Personally, I have no problems with Pulis or Stoke City.
He does not have mega millions to splash around in the transfer market, and he does not answer to a fanbase who expect his side to pass the ball around like Barcelona.
I am sure there are Stoke fans who would prefer Pulis to build a side that is more attractive to watch.
Equally, I am convinced there are many who love the fact that their unglamorous club from the unglamorous Potteries are continually proving their critics wrong.
It was ever thus.
In Nick Hornby’s seminal book ‘Fever Pitch’ he recounts the tale from September 1980 when Stoke, under Alan Durban, produced a dour display at Highbury.
When pressed afterwards by journalists on his club’s unambitious approach to the game, Durban hit out: “If you want entertainment, go and watch clowns.”
His main job as Stoke boss wasn’t to play fancy football, it was to keep the club in the old First Division.
Much has changed in the last 32 years, but Durban’s quip rings as true now as the day he uttered it.
Pulis is 100 per cent right when he says Stoke’s first aim each season is to stay up.
It looks already as if the Potters will be in the top flight for a sixth successive term in 2013/14.
Offer six straight years of top flight football, and Murdoch’s millions, to Saints fans at this moment and time and they will bite your hand off.
There are different ways to stay up, and some are obviously more aesthetically pleasing than others. Tony Pulis has found a way that perfectly suits his club.
Nigel Adkins will be as confident his philosophies and tactics suit Southampton.
Neither is right or wrong.
In the Premier League, staying up is everything and the end perfectly justifies the means.
Comments(28)
kent141
says...
9:22am Sat 29 Dec 12
Stoke 0 Saints 4 ;0)
OSPREYSAINT
says...
9:28am Sat 29 Dec 12
kent141 wrote:But nowhere near as boring as reading your predictable comments.
That article was more boring than reading ospreys 24/7 comments.
Stoke 0 Saints 4 ;0)
Puddletown Saint
says...
9:34am Sat 29 Dec 12
Jay and Punch out wide with Gaston in the hole .........If NA does not want Jay then Fox will do a job.
1-2 Rickie and Gaston
COYR
kent141
says...
9:35am Sat 29 Dec 12
OSPREYSAINT wrote:Somehow i doubt it ;0)
kent141 wrote:But nowhere near as boring as reading your predictable comments.
That article was more boring than reading ospreys 24/7 comments.
Stoke 0 Saints 4 ;0)
OSPREYSAINT
says...
9:39am Sat 29 Dec 12
kent141 wrote:As you have bothered to read it, you must have an opinion about the content, how about posting your unbiased thoughts on why Stoke have such a bad disciplinary record and why Saints record is so good, is it because Saints are wimps, and Stoke are manning up, or is it because Saints are genuinely fair players and Stoke are a bunch of thugs, I have my opinion but it would be interesting to hear a neutral view.
That article was more boring than reading ospreys 24/7 comments.
Stoke 0 Saints 4 ;0)
kent141
says...
9:47am Sat 29 Dec 12
OSPREYSAINT wrote:Stoke bully teams at home...hence a poor disciplinary record but it works and they get a lot of points. Its not rocket science.
kent141 wrote:As you have bothered to read it, you must have an opinion about the content, how about posting your unbiased thoughts on why Stoke have such a bad disciplinary record and why Saints record is so good, is it because Saints are wimps, and Stoke are manning up, or is it because Saints are genuinely fair players and Stoke are a bunch of thugs, I have my opinion but it would be interesting to hear a neutral view.
That article was more boring than reading ospreys 24/7 comments.
Stoke 0 Saints 4 ;0)
Perhaps today the £12 m superstar will come good and his sublime silky skills will be too much for the brutes hence my 4-0 prediction with a hat trick for the wonder boy.
saintsupnorth
says...
9:54am Sat 29 Dec 12
Confucious
says...
9:56am Sat 29 Dec 12
It's miserably wet and windy and having to play a thuggish team in front of an exceptionally hostile crowd in the second biggest dump in Britain will be no joyride.
I once listed the five worst places in the whole world and Stoke was in third place behind Mogadishu at second and ahead of Harare at fourth and Kinshasa at fifth.
saintsupnorth
says...
10:01am Sat 29 Dec 12
Confucious wrote:Think your right would be happy with a point, although we seem to play better when we are classed as the underdog. I stopped of in stoke a few years ago at there train station, spent most of my time dodging beggers, was like steeping of the train in the old soviet union!.
I'll be pleased with a point at the Sh!ttania today.
It's miserably wet and windy and having to play a thuggish team in front of an exceptionally hostile crowd in the second biggest dump in Britain will be no joyride.
I once listed the five worst places in the whole world and Stoke was in third place behind Mogadishu at second and ahead of Harare at fourth and Kinshasa at fifth.
OSPREYSAINT
says...
10:30am Sat 29 Dec 12
kent141 wrote:Much better, thank you. As you say we haven't seen the best for our money, if he was played in his right position that may change.
OSPREYSAINT wrote:Stoke bully teams at home...hence a poor disciplinary record but it works and they get a lot of points. Its not rocket science.
kent141 wrote:As you have bothered to read it, you must have an opinion about the content, how about posting your unbiased thoughts on why Stoke have such a bad disciplinary record and why Saints record is so good, is it because Saints are wimps, and Stoke are manning up, or is it because Saints are genuinely fair players and Stoke are a bunch of thugs, I have my opinion but it would be interesting to hear a neutral view.
That article was more boring than reading ospreys 24/7 comments.
Stoke 0 Saints 4 ;0)
Perhaps today the £12 m superstar will come good and his sublime silky skills will be too much for the brutes hence my 4-0 prediction with a hat trick for the wonder boy.
Clever Dick
says...
11:09am Sat 29 Dec 12
Confucious wrote:I think I may have worked out who came first in your list!!!
I'll be pleased with a point at the Sh!ttania today.
It's miserably wet and windy and having to play a thuggish team in front of an exceptionally hostile crowd in the second biggest dump in Britain will be no joyride.
I once listed the five worst places in the whole world and Stoke was in third place behind Mogadishu at second and ahead of Harare at fourth and Kinshasa at fifth.
st bevois
says...
11:42am Sat 29 Dec 12
OSPREYSAINT wrote:That's the big question - where will NA play him? I think he could cause their back four all sorts of probs but NA seems to think different. And I pray to God he doesn't play Jay Rod out wide. That has been a total fail on just about every occasion he has tried it this season. Still think this is a game we can get a result from!! COYR!!
kent141 wrote:Much better, thank you. As you say we haven't seen the best for our money, if he was played in his right position that may change.
OSPREYSAINT wrote:Stoke bully teams at home...hence a poor disciplinary record but it works and they get a lot of points. Its not rocket science.
kent141 wrote:As you have bothered to read it, you must have an opinion about the content, how about posting your unbiased thoughts on why Stoke have such a bad disciplinary record and why Saints record is so good, is it because Saints are wimps, and Stoke are manning up, or is it because Saints are genuinely fair players and Stoke are a bunch of thugs, I have my opinion but it would be interesting to hear a neutral view.
That article was more boring than reading ospreys 24/7 comments.
Stoke 0 Saints 4 ;0)
Perhaps today the £12 m superstar will come good and his sublime silky skills will be too much for the brutes hence my 4-0 prediction with a hat trick for the wonder boy.
Southampton boy
says...
11:44am Sat 29 Dec 12
machloop
says...
12:00pm Sat 29 Dec 12
kent141 wrote:You'll never put four past the Potters today. Just get your side to work hard and keep it up for 90 mins and you may get a share of the points.
That article was more boring than reading ospreys 24/7 comments.
Stoke 0 Saints 4 ;0)
saintkenny
says...
12:10pm Sat 29 Dec 12
machloop wrote:yes true .despite there efforts they hyave drawn 10 games .so failed to pick up 3 points .wont send them down .but could be near a champions league spot .if they could win half of those draws.so we have a chance of a point .on averages
kent141 wrote:You'll never put four past the Potters today. Just get your side to work hard and keep it up for 90 mins and you may get a share of the points.
That article was more boring than reading ospreys 24/7 comments.
Stoke 0 Saints 4 ;0)
machloop
says...
12:12pm Sat 29 Dec 12
Southampton boy wrote:Southampton boy says...
I just hope are passing game is better today over the last two games are passing has been S**t it must bethe lowest in the prem must make sure of are passes still with that said can we get a result if we play at are best then I can see us getting al 3points so COYR,s end the year on a high
11:44am Sat 29 Dec 12
I just hope our passing game is better today over the last two games are passing has been S**t it must be the lowest in the prem.
Yes, please, please, keep passing. Liverpool did that and we pasted them, You pass it about and we rest and regroup. Then try and pass it through our defence. But get back quick when you loose it as Huth boots it up to Kenwyn or Crouch and it's a goal from Walters.
Stoke are not big on the number of passes or possession because they are totally meaningless statistics, you Saints can have 99% possession as long as we win.
hedge end bob
says...
12:38pm Sat 29 Dec 12
machloop wrote:Liverpool have only got one goal scorer, we are a different kettle of fish sunshine. BEWARE of the RED ARMY AWAY FANS. It will sound like a home game in your shed today.
Southampton boy wrote:Southampton boy says...
I just hope are passing game is better today over the last two games are passing has been S**t it must bethe lowest in the prem must make sure of are passes still with that said can we get a result if we play at are best then I can see us getting al 3points so COYR,s end the year on a high
11:44am Sat 29 Dec 12
I just hope our passing game is better today over the last two games are passing has been S**t it must be the lowest in the prem.
Yes, please, please, keep passing. Liverpool did that and we pasted them, You pass it about and we rest and regroup. Then try and pass it through our defence. But get back quick when you loose it as Huth boots it up to Kenwyn or Crouch and it's a goal from Walters.
Stoke are not big on the number of passes or possession because they are totally meaningless statistics, you Saints can have 99% possession as long as we win.
Strasbourg Saint
says...
12:51pm Sat 29 Dec 12
machloop wrote:Machloop, you're new to this site aren't you?
kent141 wrote:You'll never put four past the Potters today. Just get your side to work hard and keep it up for 90 mins and you may get a share of the points.
That article was more boring than reading ospreys 24/7 comments.
Stoke 0 Saints 4 ;0)
Read through a few threads and you'll soon see that our dear brother, Kent141 is as much a Saints fan as you; but he's also a total tosspot!
Anyway, welcome. What's your view on your manager? Is Pulis a hero - a modern-day Cloughie? Or is he just a thin Sam Allardyce?
kent141
says...
12:56pm Sat 29 Dec 12
Strasbourg Saint wrote:You really are a mug stras ;0)
machloop wrote:Machloop, you're new to this site aren't you?
kent141 wrote:You'll never put four past the Potters today. Just get your side to work hard and keep it up for 90 mins and you may get a share of the points.
That article was more boring than reading ospreys 24/7 comments.
Stoke 0 Saints 4 ;0)
Read through a few threads and you'll soon see that our dear brother, Kent141 is as much a Saints fan as you; but he's also a total tosspot!
Anyway, welcome. What's your view on your manager? Is Pulis a hero - a modern-day Cloughie? Or is he just a thin Sam Allardyce?
Folkestone Saint
says...
1:43pm Sat 29 Dec 12
machloop wrote:His lot are not playing the Potters
kent141 wrote:You'll never put four past the Potters today. Just get your side to work hard and keep it up for 90 mins and you may get a share of the points.
That article was more boring than reading ospreys 24/7 comments.
Stoke 0 Saints 4 ;0)
More Glory
says...
1:44pm Sat 29 Dec 12
Clever Dick wrote:My guess it he hasn't mentioned it as it is your town. Southampton must have the lowest tourist numbers of any large town on the south coast. It must be painful. Mind you when I have driven past the civic centre and looked at the clock tower - I just think it is so beautiful.
Confucious wrote: I'll be pleased with a point at the Sh!ttania today. It's miserably wet and windy and having to play a thuggish team in front of an exceptionally hostile crowd in the second biggest dump in Britain will be no joyride. I once listed the five worst places in the whole world and Stoke was in third place behind Mogadishu at second and ahead of Harare at fourth and Kinshasa at fifth.I think I may have worked out who came first in your list!!!
More Glory
says...
1:47pm Sat 29 Dec 12
More Glory
says...
1:49pm Sat 29 Dec 12
Strasbourg Saint wrote:He's a Pompey reject. And that is a fact. We would have him back now though. I'd even give him a fiver personally to come.
machloop wrote:Machloop, you're new to this site aren't you? Read through a few threads and you'll soon see that our dear brother, Kent141 is as much a Saints fan as you; but he's also a total tosspot! Anyway, welcome. What's your view on your manager? Is Pulis a hero - a modern-day Cloughie? Or is he just a thin Sam Allardyce?kent141 wrote: That article was more boring than reading ospreys 24/7 comments. Stoke 0 Saints 4 ;0)You'll never put four past the Potters today. Just get your side to work hard and keep it up for 90 mins and you may get a share of the points.
OSPREYSAINT
says...
2:00pm Sat 29 Dec 12
More Glory wrote:One thing Portsmouth has always been good at and that is caring for their history and heritage, the future is not being looked to so much.
Clever Dick wrote:My guess it he hasn't mentioned it as it is your town. Southampton must have the lowest tourist numbers of any large town on the south coast. It must be painful. Mind you when I have driven past the civic centre and looked at the clock tower - I just think it is so beautiful.
Confucious wrote: I'll be pleased with a point at the Sh!ttania today. It's miserably wet and windy and having to play a thuggish team in front of an exceptionally hostile crowd in the second biggest dump in Britain will be no joyride. I once listed the five worst places in the whole world and Stoke was in third place behind Mogadishu at second and ahead of Harare at fourth and Kinshasa at fifth.I think I may have worked out who came first in your list!!!
OSPREYSAINT
says...
2:05pm Sat 29 Dec 12
More Glory wrote:You can't expect artists to become bricklayers, if there is anything we lack it is players with real aggression.
Here is a serious comment. If your club are still top of the fair play league in May, I would say they have a 50-50 chance of being relegated. The players need to be more committed, and lots of your fans must feel the same.
More Glory
says...
2:05pm Sat 29 Dec 12
OSPREYSAINT wrote:spinnaker tower, Gunwharf? Hello Osprey.
More Glory wrote:One thing Portsmouth has always been good at and that is caring for their history and heritage, the future is not being looked to so much.Clever Dick wrote:My guess it he hasn't mentioned it as it is your town. Southampton must have the lowest tourist numbers of any large town on the south coast. It must be painful. Mind you when I have driven past the civic centre and looked at the clock tower - I just think it is so beautiful.Confucious wrote: I'll be pleased with a point at the Sh!ttania today. It's miserably wet and windy and having to play a thuggish team in front of an exceptionally hostile crowd in the second biggest dump in Britain will be no joyride. I once listed the five worst places in the whole world and Stoke was in third place behind Mogadishu at second and ahead of Harare at fourth and Kinshasa at fifth.I think I may have worked out who came first in your list!!!
OSPREYSAINT
says...
2:15pm Sat 29 Dec 12
More Glory wrote:I was thinking more of the shipbuilding and run down of the Royal Navy, both big mistakes in my opinion.
OSPREYSAINT wrote:spinnaker tower, Gunwharf? Hello Osprey.
More Glory wrote:One thing Portsmouth has always been good at and that is caring for their history and heritage, the future is not being looked to so much.Clever Dick wrote:My guess it he hasn't mentioned it as it is your town. Southampton must have the lowest tourist numbers of any large town on the south coast. It must be painful. Mind you when I have driven past the civic centre and looked at the clock tower - I just think it is so beautiful.Confucious wrote: I'll be pleased with a point at the Sh!ttania today. It's miserably wet and windy and having to play a thuggish team in front of an exceptionally hostile crowd in the second biggest dump in Britain will be no joyride. I once listed the five worst places in the whole world and Stoke was in third place behind Mogadishu at second and ahead of Harare at fourth and Kinshasa at fifth.I think I may have worked out who came first in your list!!!
OSPREYSAINT says...
9:18am Sat 29 Dec 12