The first half was better than the second, but I still thought that was an encouraging performance. We gave as good as we got in the first forty five and caused a strong Stoke line up some problems, while looking pretty solid at the back.
I thought Miller was excellent and seems to be developing a good partnership with Mullin; Ryan Shawcross knew he was in a game today. In the centre of defence Sid and Manny were very good and dealt well with a striker partnership of Vokes and Afobe, which is a handful to say the least. In midfield, I thought Banks and Perkins had excellent games. Jake Caprice had another good game at right back.
The second half became virtually impossible for us when Stoke changed their entire eleven and brought on fresh legs, but nonetheless I was still disappointed with Payne and Ponticelli when they came on. The workrate of the former was lacking and the latter could not really get into the game. I think we might be reliant on Miller staying fit this season, unless there are further developments up front. On the positive side, Gilmour was very good when he came on and looks ready to make an impact.
Hopefully the injury to Sid is nothing serious.
