Match Thread Stoke City - Coventry City [FA] Match Thread - Saturday 10th Jan (68 Viewers)

A-Lighter-Shade-Of-Blue · 2026-01-09T14:00:08+0000

Lee_20 said:
Are you talking about complacency? It does seem as though there's an element of 'expectation' rather than clear assertion now, but as somebody has mentioned elsewhere (can't remember where), it feels like teams have 'worked us out' a little and yes, combined with the obvious fatigue (from illness and lack of rotation / injuries) that we've dropped off and cannot properly change our style / approach. I agree about Rudoni - I think it's fair to say we all like him (we do don't we?) and appreciate him, but there's something about his inclusion since returning which has made the team dynamic falter. Back to basics with him, I think, and he shouldn't overcomplicate or believe that he can and should control everything - just my opinion. I think there'll be some familar faces in the squad and it might be more of an indication of who he thinks needs to 'show' a bit more, if only for two thirds or so of the game. I think Wright will be one of them. He should be. The ol' saying, 'Can he do it on a cold, wet day in Stoke?' or whatever the f*** it is - you get my drift. I'm not convinced by the guy, but always want him to prove me wrong.

I don't think it complacency. The dip to me looks like a combination of how Rudoni is paying and the loss of Torp...
6 Dec – Lost 3–0 Ipswich → Torp missing
9 Dec – Drew 1–1 Preston → Torp missing
13 Dec – Won 1–0 Bristol → Torp returns, but clearly still recovering from illness
20 Dec – Drew 1–1 Southampton → Torp plays, but down to 10 men - although the 1st half was good.
26 Dec – Won 1–0 Swansea → Torp plays
29 Dec – Lost 2–0 Ipswich → Torp plays but is not fully fit, carrying an injury, not making the runs, hooked in the second half
4 Jan – Lost 3–2 Birmingham → Torp missing

Frank mentioned in his press conference earlier about a 'reset'. For me, the fix isn’t complicated. Get Torp fit, making those early-season runs, and sort out what we want Rudoni to be.

skybluecam · 2026-01-09T14:13:58+0000

Lee_20 said:
Has Dausch been recalled from Forest Green to start up front? 9 appearances, 1 goal. EDIT: I see he's cup tied.

Cup tied isn't a thing anymore

Brighton Sky Blue · 2026-01-09T14:46:47+0000

skybluecam said:
Cup tied isn't a thing anymore

That went under the radar, but a good thing imo, the rule never made much sense.

David O'Day · 2026-01-09T14:56:12+0000

Brighton Sky Blue said:
That went under the radar, but a good thing imo, the rule never made much sense.

Probably because no one can be arsed to explain what the new rule actually means

The wording is:

"A Player shall only play for one Club in the Competition during the same Season, save that a Player that has played for one Club in the Qualifying Competition and/or the Competition Proper may play for a maximum of one other Club in the Competition Proper (but may only play for a maximum of one Club in any given round of the Competition)."

JSL · 2026-01-09T15:31:57+0000

Just read that Stoke's keeper Johansson has had shoulder surgery and likely out for the rest of the season

skybluecam · 2026-01-09T15:35:50+0000

David O'Day said:
Probably because no one can be arsed to explain what the new rule actually means

The wording is:

"A Player shall only play for one Club in the Competition during the same Season, save that a Player that has played for one Club in the Qualifying Competition and/or the Competition Proper may play for a maximum of one other Club in the Competition Proper (but may only play for a maximum of one Club in any given round of the Competition)."

The wording is terrible lol

“A player shall play for a maximum of two clubs in the competition and may not play for both in the same round”

Ez

Chris1987 · 2026-01-09T15:37:11+0000

David O'Day said:
Probably because no one can be arsed to explain what the new rule actually means

The wording is:

"A Player shall only play for one Club in the Competition during the same Season, save that a Player that has played for one Club in the Qualifying Competition and/or the Competition Proper may play for a maximum of one other Club in the Competition Proper (but may only play for a maximum of one Club in any given round of the Competition)."

Couldn't be clearer

Brighton Sky Blue · 2026-01-09T15:37:51+0000

JSL said:
Just read that Stoke's keeper Johansson has had shoulder surgery and likely out for the rest of the season

That’s a huge issue for them if true.

Para1140 · 2026-01-09T15:39:02+0000

JSL said:
Just read that Stoke's keeper Johansson has had shoulder surgery and likely out for the rest of the season

Their player of the season so far. Shame

COVKIDSNEVERQUIT · 2026-01-09T15:49:38+0000

JSL said:
Just read that Stoke's keeper Johansson has had shoulder surgery and likely out for the rest of the season

David O'Day · 2026-01-09T15:50:11+0000

JSL said:
Just read that Stoke's keeper Johansson has had shoulder surgery and likely out for the rest of the season

Shame for us as he is just as likely to make a wonder save as throw it in his own net.

rob9872 · 2026-01-09T16:36:52+0000

Changed my mind on this. I want us to get through.

I don't want first team starters playing loads of minutes, risking injury or suspension, but why not play a nice mix to try and get through?

It brings money, good feeling, winning mentality back, minutes in the legs of those not regularly in match sharpness to be ready to step in when called upon and our squad size is increasing slightly, so helps keep fringe players happy.

Since the tie was announced, I've been advocating, get out of the competition, it's a distraction that we don't need, but for the reasons above, I now want to win.

Stoke 0 City 2

skyblueelephant76 · 2026-01-09T17:04:10+0000

Brighton Sky Blue said:
That’s a huge issue for them if true.

The backup keeper has kept two clean sheets in his first two games

Mcbean · 2026-01-09T17:20:32+0000

skyblueelephant76 said:
The backup keeper has kept two clean sheets in his first two games

Generally back up keepers we play against are mom - that lanky twat at Ipswich is now the number 1

Earlsdon_Skyblue1 · 2026-01-09T18:13:47+0000

rob9872 said:
Changed my mind on this. I want us to get through.

I don't want first team starters playing loads of minutes, risking injury or suspension, but why not play a nice mix to try and get through?

It brings money, good feeling, winning mentality back, minutes in the legs of those not regularly in match sharpness to be ready to step in when called upon and our squad size is increasing slightly, so helps keep fringe players happy.

Since the tie was announced, I've been advocating, get out of the competition, it's a distraction that we don't need, but for the reasons above, I now want to win.

Stoke 0 City 2

Would love another pop at Man Utd.

Realistically though this season our focus should be to prioritise the league.

SleepyGinger · 2026-01-09T18:13:47+0000

I genuinely want us to go out, if we get a big team in the next round we’ll play a strong 11 and if you get through again you start to take the competition seriously. We have 20 cup finals left we don’t need any distractions.

procdoc · 2026-01-09T18:15:50+0000

SleepyGinger said:
I genuinely want us to go out, if we get a big team in the next round we’ll play a strong 11 and if you get through again you start to take the competition seriously. We have 20 cup finals left we don’t need any distractions.

For me winning breeds confidence and winning this would get us back in the groove

Chris1987 · 2026-01-09T18:23:28+0000

procdoc said:
For me winning breeds confidence and winning this would get us back in the groove

Even better if it's done with second string players

Skyblueweeman · 2026-01-09T18:29:27+0000

procdoc said:
For me winning breeds confidence and winning this would get us back in the groove

Our FA Cup run to the Man Utd SF probably helped derail our league aspirations that season.

We've got such a great shot at winning the league, my personal view is that we don't need any extra games that will fatigue the players or risk injury.

I get the confidence thing and minutes into legs of fringe players but we can get confidence from winning league games and cementing promotion

clint van damme · 2026-01-09T18:33:12+0000

Skyblueweeman said:
Our FA Cup run to the Man Utd SF probably helped derail our league aspirations that season.

We've got such a great shot at winning the league, my personal view is that we don't need any extra games that will fatigue the players or risk injury.

I get the confidence thing and minutes into legs of fringe players but we can get confidence from winning league games and cementing promotion

We'll also have,a much better chance of progressing if we're a PL side as opposed to a championship one

Shannerz · 2026-01-09T18:35:55+0000

rob9872 said:
Changed my mind on this. I want us to get through.

I don't want first team starters playing loads of minutes, risking injury or suspension, but why not play a nice mix to try and get through?

It brings money, good feeling, winning mentality back, minutes in the legs of those not regularly in match sharpness to be ready to step in when called upon and our squad size is increasing slightly, so helps keep fringe players happy.

Since the tie was announced, I've been advocating, get out of the competition, it's a distraction that we don't need, but for the reasons above, I now want to win.

Stoke 0 City 2

I initially said I don't care about this game, and in itself, I don't.

For the moral of the team, though, I think a win's really important. We need one.

procdoc · 2026-01-09T18:36:16+0000

Skyblueweeman said:
Our FA Cup run to the Man Utd SF probably helped derail our league aspirations that season.

We've got such a great shot at winning the league, my personal view is that we don't need any extra games that will fatigue the players or risk injury.

I get the confidence thing and minutes into legs of fringe players but we can get confidence from winning league games and cementing promotion

It’s ok we can go out in the next round!

ptr · 2026-01-09T18:45:19+0000

3-0

Ferguson, Wilson and SHM

Gutted as want us out so we can concentrate on play offs.

procdoc · 2026-01-09T18:48:38+0000

Chris1987 said:
Even better if it's done with second string players

I think it’ll be a mixture of regulars and fringe players

19Skybluearmy76 · 2026-01-09T19:57:01+0000

Interesting stat and one for the records.
Stoke have already lost at home to Coventry in the Championship this season. Just three teams have won twice away against the Potters in the same campaign – Newcastle United (1950-51), Luton Town (1984-85) and Liverpool (2015-16).

Sky_Blue_Dreamer · 2026-01-09T20:06:16+0000

19Skybluearmy76 said:
Interesting stat and one for the records.
Stoke have already lost at home to Coventry in the Championship this season. Just three teams have won twice away against the Potters in the same campaign – Newcastle United (1950-51), Luton Town (1984-85) and Liverpool (2015-16).

How likely are teams to play away against another team twice in a season?

Brighton Sky Blue · 2026-01-09T20:07:47+0000

Sky_Blue_Dreamer said:
How likely are teams to play away against another team twice in a season?

Very if you’re Sheffield Wednesday

shmmeee · 2026-01-09T20:08:48+0000

Skyblueweeman said:
Our FA Cup run to the Man Utd SF probably helped derail our league aspirations that season.

We've got such a great shot at winning the league, my personal view is that we don't need any extra games that will fatigue the players or risk injury.

I get the confidence thing and minutes into legs of fringe players but we can get confidence from winning league games and cementing promotion

In hindsight we lost our defensive coach and our manager and assistant had an epic falling out which must have contributed.

fatso · 2026-01-09T20:12:50+0000

A-Lighter-Shade-Of-Blue said:
I don't think it complacency. The dip to me looks like a combination of how Rudoni is paying and the loss of Torp...
6 Dec – Lost 3–0 Ipswich → Torp missing
9 Dec – Drew 1–1 Preston → Torp missing
13 Dec – Won 1–0 Bristol → Torp returns, but clearly still recovering from illness
20 Dec – Drew 1–1 Southampton → Torp plays, but down to 10 men - although the 1st half was good.
26 Dec – Won 1–0 Swansea → Torp plays
29 Dec – Lost 2–0 Ipswich → Torp plays but is not fully fit, carrying an injury, not making the runs, hooked in the second half
4 Jan – Lost 3–2 Birmingham → Torp missing

Frank mentioned in his press conference earlier about a 'reset'. For me, the fix isn’t complicated. Get Torp fit, making those early-season runs, and sort out what we want Rudoni to be.

Get Torp and BTA back fit. Drop Rudoni to the bench, pick the best 2 from the 4 wingers available and get back to scoring for fun and winning matches

Simples

19Skybluearmy76 · 2026-01-09T20:23:43+0000

Sky_Blue_Dreamer said:
How likely are teams to play away against another team twice in a season?

Valid point but this makes it even more interesting the fact it's such a rare occurrence.
I'm blaming BBC sport for posting such useless match facts

Paxman II · 2026-01-09T21:34:27+0000

We should play the new boys, give Wilson his head in goal, that sort of thing. Though it won't be wholesale changes. Have first choices on the bench if it looks like we may need it but we do not want to use players that truly need a break such as Grimes. It's difficult, if we can muster a win without too much agro then yes great. But the league is so, so important.

shepardo01 · 2026-01-09T21:57:19+0000

Interesting - nowhere else to put this...

Lamps · 2026-01-09T22:01:26+0000

Sky_Blue_Dreamer said:
How likely are teams to play away against another team twice in a season?

Every time two sides meet from one of same divisions in one of the cups.

Brighton Sky Blue · 2026-01-09T22:16:20+0000

shepardo01 said:
Interesting - nowhere else to put this...

Got a ‘difficulty of fixtures played’ ranking?

Snaily · 2026-01-09T23:18:13+0000

Hope we outplay them with a weakened side and then lose on pennos

Match Thread Stoke City - Coventry City [FA] Match Thread - Saturday 10th Jan (68 Viewers)

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