That was more like it; The Tigers have broken their duck by securing a win under Tim Walter. We made heavy weather of it, especially in the first half, which was an inadequate performance, but pushed our feet on the gas and demonstrated strength and quality in the second period. It is unfathomable why it has taken this long to unleash our prospects as a team; we suddenly switched from the old football we have seen since the start of the season, to being more direct and threatening going forwards–the football we have been promised was in full rigour.
We had to come back from trailing early in the first half–a continuous pattern–although the opponents were expected to come out in full force as it was their new manager’s pilot game. They made it difficult and prevented us from operating our system by pinging the ball forwards quickly and exposing the low numbers in black and amber at the back. But, for the first time this season, it was pleasing to watch us dig in, keep it at one and score three in the second 45 minutes.
Tim Walter made three changes to the team he fielded last week against The Blades, benching Kamara, Fin Burns and Ryan Giles; replacing them with Kasey Palmer, Zambrano and Cody Drameh. That meant, in a 4-3-3 formation, we lined up as follows: Pandur between the sticks; Coyle, McLoughlin, Jones and Drameh holding the fort; Palmer, Zambrano and Mehlem in the middle; and Belloimi, Bedia and Omur as the attacking trio.
Heart attack football at the beginning, but not in dignity. A complete cock-up at the back and a high early press from the Potter’s forced Drameh to back-paddle, where he was muscled off the ball, which was flung to left towards Jun-ho waiting in the box, who faked, sending the defender the other way, before firing wide.
The manner in which the hosts set up was challenging, making us feel uncomfortable and sending more balls over the top, which were seldom accurate. It was difficult to watch and we were not up to the mark, just the same crap we have seen before. They were proving why so many of us watched it from home, rather than the stands with the 600 other fans.
The inevitable happened in the 29th minute when they drew first blood. It derived from some poor defending and gaps in our back line. Manhoef shredded through our defence and drove unscathed into the box, where he was able to get a shot off, which was parried away by Pandur for a corner. Thus, a pinpoint, flat, pacy ball into the mixer was put into the back of the net by Wilmot from a glancing header. Pure ecstasy in the home end, who were content with their manager’s start.
It was the same pattern for the remainder of the half and Stoke could have dented our spirits further, but were not able to capitalise on our cheap mistakes. The biggest opportunity was when they cleared our corner and released two players, who were up against two nervous defenders. If they got the pass right, the game could have been theirs.
Our best chance was from a far range shot by Belloumi after Coyle bravely challenged for the ball in the air with his head, laying it down nicely for the former to strike first time, which sailed over the bar. With zero of our seven shots hitting the target, Stoke headed down the tunnel feeling like they were not tested.
Talk about a game of two halves. This was the epitome of one: a changed, ruthless and eager Tiger’s team ran out of the tunnel and overturned the game.
Stoke were dumbfounded with how we gave them a taste of their own medicine, when we rolled the ball forwards efficiently and more often, with a sense of danger engraved in the players. We drew level from the spot in the 63rd minute. A cross was put into the box, but Bedia was unable to set himself up for it as he was pulled back and the ball came out to Belloumi, who was taken down from a high boot by one of their players. Palmer, a reliable player from the spot, had the task, but his first strike was saved by Johansson, which rebounded back to Palmer who headed it home. Jeers from our players and fans as the home fans thought they were safe.
Our second goal (yes, you read that correctly) came in the 77th minute through some great awareness from Millar, who was able to intercept a loose pass from their back line and pass it to Regan Slater (subbed on in the 58th minute with Xavier Simons) in the box, who opened up his body and fired it into the top-right corner of the net. Lovely. We were not done there.
In the 79th minute, we extended our lead through some magic football on the left channel with Millar and Palmer linking up nicely. A pass and go move released Palmer and he was able to cut across the dead ball line and pass it towards our onrushing players, but their defender had another idea in mind: put it into the net for us. Cue pandemonium in the away end, who for the first time this season, could celebrate three points.
Improved, feisty and dedicated were how we triumphed in this tie, predominantly in the second half. The players, manager and his team, who had a boost of confidence instilled into them, headed to the away corner and a heartwarming moment could be the beginning of a decent campaign. But, there are still amendments to be made and I do not want to put the cart before the tiger. We play Cardiff at home next week.