Ellerslie Echo

Three on the Bounce

Championship Matchday 6: Stoke City (H)

I love attacking football. 

Fluid, passing football is a joy to watch. Watching top players knock it about is fascinating. I can appreciate possession football, understand the importance of keeping the ball and I do enjoy seeing us progress through the middle when it happens. But at the end of the day, I go to the football to see goals. I want to be entertained, I want to win games. 

When, during pre-season, it was clear we hadn’t sorted our submissive midfield set-up even under new management, alarm bells were raised about our midfielders, namely Sam Field and Nico Madsen’s aptitude at this level. It’s confusing to be a team that likes to play out from the back whilst also avoiding the middle of the park like it’s made of lava. 

Then, going into the season, being held to a point at home to relegation favourites Preston (who are actually doing pretty well), getting dominated at Watford and then whatever you want to call what happened at Cov, these problems seemed to be even worse than we imagined.

Even after pulling our socks up, winning two on the trot through direct, attacking football with limited possession, I was cautious about getting too excited, worried that against the more established championship sides (like Cov, and this weekend’s opponents Stoke) we might struggle again. This game was to be the first test since our tactical shift and turn-around in form, and it was one that we passed with flying colours. 

Stoke went into this game with 4 wins from 5, unbeaten on the road and sitting 2nd behind high-flying Middlesbrough. Their shocking record in London consisted of just one win in the last 11 years. Can you guess which London venue those 3 points were picked up from?

Despite being cautious, I knew we wouldn’t embarrass ourselves, we’d got into a flow and found an identity. But I’ve not hidden my discomfort with the Madsen-Varane double pivot. I expected another midfield stroll from the opposition where our defenders were overworked and we relied on counter-attacks to get anything out of the game. 

Stoke opted for the Arteta, Russell Martin, Thomasn Tuchel (with England) style of playing not to lose, rather than to win. The absolute embodiment of everything I hate about football. Slow, dull, aimless passing around your own half, with the occasional drive forward to remind the fans that actually there is still a game on. Genuinely amazed that a team with as much quality as theirs would step onto a pitch as small as Loftus Road’s and try to play football like that. I also didn’t expect it from Mark Robins.

From the very start this proved to be the wrong approach for the Potters. Less than 4 minutes in, Morrison, high up the pitch for some reason, robbed Lewis Baker allowing Kone to put it on a plate for Vale who should have done better with the shot. A bright start from Rangers that continued for the entire first half and, despite seeing far less of the ball as the visitors, who hogged it and tried their best to stop it from crossing the half-way line, we looked the much more dangerous side. 

A few other chances followed – one which came 2 minutes later, starting with a bouncing yet semi-successful one-two between Varane and Burrell, which ended up back at the feet of Rigo, but not for long as it was cleverly won back by Saito, who fired a long-range, low-driven shot, which unfortunately wasn’t a challenge for Johansson. This would not be the last time that Stoke would hear from the little man.

Kone also came close, cutting in from the right and firing wide – a chance which he pretty much created from nothing, nicking the ball from my best mate Ben Pearson (more on him in the second half)  who somehow didn’t clock the big striker over his shoulder. 

Saito had another chance early on after the break, this time forcing Johansson to parry it, and Vale was unable to finish the rebound. Then, it looked like we were about to go behind when Jimmy Dunne got run ragged by Sorba Thomas who put in a perfect delivery for Manhoef, but his header relievingly went over the bar. Let off. 

Saito continued to terrorise, chasing down and battling Tchamadeu, then nicking the ball from Lawal, and winning a corner. Madsen put a pretty poor delivery in but Stoke failed to clear their lines, and the ball eventually came to Kone who laid it off for Madsen on the edge of the box, whose shot floated over the bar. 

My favourite chance of the game came not long after this when Saito, Madsen and Kone linked up beautifully and knocked it around like a training drill, and Vale put a curling shot towards the top left corner, our fourth shot on target. We were getting closer.

Not long after this, the trusty counter-attack nearly came to our rescue when Mbuenge hoofed it forwards for Kone to play a brilliant first time ball across the box to Burrell, but Johansson once again was positioned well and couldn’t be beat. It was just a case of when, now. 

In my opinion, and the opinions of every Stoke fan, we were lucky not to be cut down to 10 men. Mbuenge went on one of his wild runs forward and went into Ben Pearson’s shin with his studs up. Definitely one of those that look worse in the screenshot and slow motion but still a red for me. It wasn’t even given as a foul.

But guess what? I couldn’t care less. Pearson is one of the dirtiest players in the league, I’ve seen him hurt our players on countless occasions and quite frankly I have zero sympathy. He eventually lost his head and subsequently got subbed off. Cheerio. 

There were 75 minutes gone when we finally managed to break the deadlock. Saito again being the key driving force, taking on his fellow countryman Seko, and finding Baker in the box who gifted it to Vale. The finish though, composed and satisfying to watch. Top bins. Over the moon for Vale, and over the moon for this team. Finally we were, deservedly, in front.

Stoke most definitely should have equalised, but didn’t, with two chances that were put on a plate for them from defensive errors. The later and more potentially disastrous one, a flap from Nardi from which Cresswell is probably scratching his head at how Morrison cleared his resulting finish. The other, a mistake from the hero where his pass out to Madsen instead reached Cissé who bottled the chance. 

In fairness to Stephan, I understand why only one change was made. Hayden coming on was the right one too, albeit a bit early. Maybe a Smyth, or even a Steve Cook could’ve cameoed, but amazingly our players are now fit enough to see a game out against a top side. They all deserved to stay on, to be fair, and I can appreciate not wanting to risk rocking the boat and throwing the lead away. I trusted the 11 that were on the pitch to see the game out.

In the end, we just about got over the line. Those two hiccups nearly put a dampener on what, in my view, was our best performance under Stephan so far. A bit of fortune and a ref who swung slightly in our favour also gave us the nudge and we came away with our third straight win. I’m not exaggerating when I say that of the three, this was our most impressive. The standard of opponent, the clean sheet, the character, it just really felt like we might have built something. 

The best thing about our side and the football we’re playing is, even if the strikers aren’t scoring, we have enough attacking quality and depth that chances will still come, and goals will still be scored. So, even on a quiet day for our new front 2, we can be confident that Saito, Vale, or whoever else we eventually decide to sub on when the time comes, will be able to do the business. This will be huge when the midweek games start popping up (from next week).

If this is us with Chair and Poku injured, Dembele, Smyth, Kolli or even Morgan not getting a sniff, and Frey only just coming back to fitness, imagine how dangerous we will be when everyone’s available? We are one of only 5 clubs in the 92 to have scored in every game so far. This is what I love about football. Getting forward. Having a go. Scoring goals. Yeah, we could work on a few things in terms of keeping the ball and having a tighter midfield unit, but it’s goals that win you games after all.

Player Ratings:

Paul Nardi – 7/10

There are still the usual issues with Nardi. Coming off his line, his ability with his feet, but I have to give him a decent rating after keeping our first clean sheet of the season.

27% long ball accuracy and 36% passing accuracy don’t exactly inspire confidence on paper, but this was actually an improvement on his distribution, and there were one or two nice moves from the back that he was involved in. 

When a cross comes into the box, though – I just don’t ever feel confident that he will claim it and this showed in the last minute for his punch straight down to Cresswell. Nardi didn’t make a save all game, which is more of a testament to how little threat Stoke provided, rather than Nardi’s performance.

Jimmy Dunne – 7.5/10

Another solid defensive performance from the skipper, putting up great defensive numbers – 100% tackle success and 4 out of 6 aerial duels won. Dunne still struggles against wingers with pace and allowed Thomas to get the better of him on a couple of occasions. He also let Cresswell get one or two crosses in, but this is a left-back who once got 8 assists in a premier league season. 

These crosses ultimately came to nothing, and I’m sure Dunne will be delighted with the clean sheet. Every week he makes me feel the need to apologise for my rant after Cov. I’m so glad he’s captain.

Amadou Mbuenge – 7.5/10

Battled Mubama out of the game. Defensively solid and positionally spot on. I do think he was lucky to play the last 30 mins or so after that challenge – that would’ve changed the game completely had he seen red, but it’s football, the ref didn’t give it, and he had a solid game. 

I have been saying since Preston that his recklessness is going to end up getting himself, or someone else, hurt and he’s going to either injure or suspend himself. He got away with one here, but I won’t have a go at him for leaving one in on Ben Pearson.

Liam Morrison – 8/10

Again. Improves every week. Best defender on the pitch. Good on the ball, present in the air, and saved our arses on a number of occasions. That goal line clearance at the end is one that wins you a game. Morrison is a proper, proper centre-half, he’s so crucial to us and that showed in this game. We wouldn’t have 3 points without him. 

There was one slip-up, with the pass out to Madsen that went straight to Cissé, but was ultimately let off as he fired over the bar.

Rhys Norrington-Davies – 7/10

This man has proven to be a smart bit of business so far. So solid defensively. Reliable, brave and intelligent. He does get burnt for pace – this was present against Wrexham and it was present here against Manhoef, who did get the better of him once or twice, notably for his chance where he broke free of RND and headered an easy chance over the bar. 

RND also still struggles going forward, misplacing passes and losing the ball, but he does make up for this with his defensive output. If he can work on his final ball he will be an unreal left-back, even if he lacks a yard of pace.

Jonathan Varane – 7.5/10

If Varane had played the whole game, he’d have been a contender for man of the match. Another vital performance from this man. A warrior in midfield who has improved going forward so much this season. 

6/8 ground duels won, 1/1 aerial duels, but the best stat of his game is that he completed the most dribbles of the game (2/2). His biggest issue when he first came to the club was that he never turned or looked up the pitch. That problem is almost non-existent now and he’s turned himself into one of the best midfielders in the league. 

Varane does have a mistake in him almost every week, through making silly decisions, which is a shame, and there were one or two here, but I’m not going to let that mark him anywhere below 7.5.

The possession stats are misleading, Madsen and Varane ran the show. Whilst we still don’t play through them as a first option, we actually looked better in midfield today – something I’ve been waiting to say for over a year. More to come of this, please!

Nicolas Madsen – 8/10

There were a few occasions towards the end of last season where Madsen looked to have improved. Some were convinced he’d turned a page but going into this season he reverted to his old self. I have been very clear with my criticisms of Madsen; good with his feet and a final ball that can be so effective. It’s the off the ball work that ruined it all.

This was undoubtedly his best game in a Rangers shirt, bar none. Madsen deserves his flowers here, he didn’t hide, he made an effort to tackle and recover the ball, and just generally looked so much better off the ball. On it, he showed us what we all thought he was capable of.

Dictating play, pinging passes about, and creating chances. Madsen was our best midfielder and he definitely made a very strong case for the double pivot that I’ve been skeptical about – I think after this game, Stephan will be sticking with it for the foreseeable. 

Madsen and Varane (then Hayden for the last 30) completely dominated Stoke’s midfield of Pearson, Baker and Rigo, regardless of any possession stats you may shove in my face. We had less of the ball, but were way, way more efficient with it.

I’ve seen a few younger heads on twitter say that Madsen is owed an apology or that his critics have been proven wrong. I’m not getting involved in childish point-scoring but there is nothing to apologise for – Madsen has not been good enough, but today, he showed what he can do, showed that on his day he can be one of our best players and I am genuinely over the moon for him. I want to see this from him every week.

I would have given Madsen an 8.5 or higher but there were two men on the pitch who I thought stood out even more than the Dane. These are up next.

Harvey Vale – 8.5/10

Last week’s man of the match took his confidence into this game and continued his form. He had his first shot on target 4 minutes in, albeit a weak one, and was a danger for the whole game. 

I said during pre-season that Vale’s left foot is something to watch out for and today was the first time we’ve really seen it in a competitive game. You can tell it’s something he works on – curling it into the top corner with his left. He scored one in the friendly against Stevenage and had a shot at this from outside of the box in the second half here but ultimately didn’t put enough power on it, but my word, for the goal, he couldn’t have hit it any better.

A goal very similar to Zamora’s play-off winner – Saito put the ball into an area, and the Stoke defender hit a crap clearance that found Vale who hit it top bins first time. For this one though, there were defenders that could have got in the way, and he had to put some accuracy on it – I don’t believe there was a better way he could have hit it. A composed first time shot with his left foot into the top corner, great technique. Exquisite. 

Vale went under the radar this summer because he was signed in January. But if he had been signed this window just gone, people would be praising the club a lot more for getting him in. I thought it would take him a while to settle, but he’s become an important player for us way sooner than I anticipated. 

3 shots, all on target, contributing to the defence with some recoveries, clearances and tackles, including one in a dangerous area which was followed by the final whistle. Vale was absolutely crucial and we would’ve settled for a point without him.

Koki Saito – 8.5/10

Saito was good last season. This season however, he’s gone up a whole level. He was absolutely immense here. Not only having three shots (two on target), Saito is proving to be really difficult for defenders, running at them and gaining more and more confidence to take them on.

Saito is so effective in the half space and brings something to our side that not many teams have, and every opposition he faces struggles to know how to deal with him. His work for the goal, getting past Seko with ease and then knocking it into a dangerous area, cannot go unstated. 

It’s a shame he won’t be credited with an assist after creating the chance. He deserved a goal from this game so to not even come away with an assist is frustrating. However, Saito’s work rate and dynamism was just unbelievable today, he was unstoppable. Best player on the pitch by a country mile. 

Richard Kone – 7/10

Kone’s movement continues to stand out, this is a striker who understands his role and knows how to impact the team. Creating a chance for himself in the first half that went wide, and then playing a lovely first time ball across the box in the second half for Burrell, were his two main highlights. It’s so positive to have a striker as confident and intelligent as he is, whilst also having that finishing instinct. 

Whilst not getting on the scoresheet, Kone once again was doing everything right, testing Stoke’s defence, it’s just a shame he couldn’t test the keeper. 7/10 for a goalless performance for a striker ain’t bad, is it?

Rumarn Burrell – 7/10

Not as effective as the previous two wins. I said in my preview that Lawal is probably one of the few centre-halves in the division that can deal with Burrell’s pace. This was sort of the case, but it wasn’t just Lawal – Burrell didn’t seem as much of a nightmare for Stoke’s defence as he has been for other teams – expected against a side who’d only conceded 3 going into this game. 

He still played an important role, though. Maybe could have done better to put away the chance that Kone created for him, but against the best keeper in the league, you can’t be too harsh. I’m doubtful that he deserved a yellow card for his foul on the keeper, either. A completely unavoidable challenge in my opinion. 

Substitutions:

• Isaac Hayden – 6.5/10 – last week, I thought we left it too late to bring him on. This time out, I felt it was too early. I’m not sure why Varane was hooked on the hour mark at 0-0, but Hayden did a good job and was decent in that double pivot as I’d expected him to be (though wasn’t quite as good as Varane). This was the only change of the game.

Man of the Match – Koki Saito

You’ll notice that Saito and Vale both have the same rating. That’s because I couldn’t mark either of them down, they both deserved an 8.5, but had Saito bagged, he’d have had a 9. Only one can take the MOTM home, and for me that’s Koki. Sorry Harv, you aren’t getting two in a row here.

Saito genuinely looked unplayable. I’m starting to seriously think that his ceiling might be quite a bit higher than this level. His issues last season were his end product and his lightweightness. Well, he’s showcased his improvements in both these areas in his first 3 games. 

He’s shooting more, he’s taking on more defenders, and his guarding of the ball whilst dribbling has improved. His shoulder barge to shrug off Tatsuki Seko, his ball into a dangerous area, he’s shown in one move there how much he has improved – not that he was particularly poor in the first place. 

A deserved MOTM in my opinion, closely followed by Vale, and an honourable mention for Madsen. If the latter continues to play like this, I’m sure it’ll come for him. Those three definitely are the stand outs, amongst 11 strong performances. 

Donkey of the Day – Paul Nardi

Only two contenders this week after a nearly flawless performance. Morrison’s dodgy pass from the back and Nardi’s near assist to Aaron Cresswell. The goalkeeper’s flap undoubtedly takes this week’s donkey home. 

Claiming crosses has always been an issue with Nardi, and he doesn’t seem to have improved in this area. It’s the right decision to come out and punch it, so there is that. Just so, so poorly executed. Nearly threw away 90 minutes of hard work from the whole side. I hope he bought Morrison’s drinks for the night. 

Summary:

We won 3-1 twice in a row, but this win was my favourite. This one felt the best. The performance, the brutal attack, the quality on show. The scenes at the end, the togetherness. Even the players posting on socials in the evening. Small things like that, it goes a long way. A certain former player who dyed his hair blue and wore a hooped vest under his shirt with his name on the back reckons we should reel it in. Sod that. Enjoy it. 

Who knows where this could end up? Yeah, we’ve been here before and been disappointed, on several occasions. Yeah, we can’t get ahead of ourselves, but what’s the point in having moments like these if you can’t enjoy them? I’m really starting to get a good feeling from this team, which is mental considering where we were a month ago. Well done to all. Let’s keep going.

Stoke star player: Viktor Johansson

If this had been 0-0, Stoke’s keeper would’ve undoubtedly been awarded man of the match. Without him, we’re looking at 2 or 3 to nil rather than one. 6 saves, most of them pretty impressive, we really struggled to beat him and it took a brilliantly finished goal from Vale to finally do it. 

Johansson was tested on numerous occasions and did seriously well to keep the score as low as it was. Undoubtedly the best goalkeeper in the league, I imagine he’ll be in the Premier League with or without Stoke next season.

Up Next: 

Championship Matchday 7: Sheffield Wednesday (A)

Score prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 1-4 QPR

One to Watch: Barry Bannan

Is there a bigger bogey team in recent years for QPR than this lot? Rangers could be reigning Prem champions, and Wednesday on the verge of League 2 relegation, and they’d still beat us. And even in the 2035/36 season, you can bet that Barry Bannan will still be on the scoresheet. 

We happen to be playing Wednesday off the back of an away win at Fratton Park. Wonderful. Can’t wait. Bannan scored, too. This should be fun! Our last trip to Hillsborough, we scraped a point with one of the best goals you’ll ever see from Alfie Lloyd. Our last win here came in 2019. 

Ignoring that, I’m going to go big here. I’m confident and going to back us. Surely if there’s a time to break this spell it’s now. 3 wins in a row, Wednesday struggling down the bottom, likely fan protests on the day. If we don’t come away with 3 points I’ll be astounded. That’s if the game isn’t abandoned, of course.

I’ve already mentioned my one to watch. There isn’t really anyone else worthy of it. Jamal Lowe maybe, or even Liam Palmer. I won’t pretend to be overly familiar with any of their other players. Bannan is obviously the biggest threat, and he LOVES playing QPR. 

Not much needs to be said about Bannan. He absolutely runs the show every time he comes to Loftus Road and he does the same at home. Despite looking like a 50 year old plumber who smokes 20 a day he is in my opinion one of the best players in the league. I do genuinely enjoy watching him when it’s not against us. 

A surprisingly quick ball-carrying midfielder who plays deep but prefers attacking midfield, he’s not afraid of a tackle, and knows how to chip in with goals. He loves a screamer and I can think of two or three that he’s scored against us. If you’re somehow unfamiliar with Barry Bannan, just watch the highlights from this weekend and you’ll see what I mean. A clever free kick goal, sums him up perfectly. 

I’m not really worried about anything else. Call me arrogant, naive, whatever. Their squad just doesn’t concern me. Their players (the ones who remain) always show a lot of fight and character and that’s played an important part in keeping them in the division, but I just don’t think it’ll be enough with the quality we have, especially whilst we’re this full of confidence. 

Against Charlton we took our chances against the run of play and scored 3. At Wrexham we were unlucky not to have one or two more. This time, I can see us finally hitting four. Kone brace, Burrell and Morrison with one each. A Bannan goal is customary. 

Championship Gameweek 7 Predictions:

Just one correct result this week, not a single score. It’s getting harder and harder every week. 6 losses out of 6 is pretty incredible for Sheffield United, and Southampton have continued their poor start under Will Still, losing 3-1 at Hull. 

Oxford and Wrexham both picked up away wins against good opposition, and Preston continued their impressive start to the season. Blackburn and Ipswich was abandoned with 15 minutes to go, with Rovers 1-0 up against 10 men. You’d be fuming,  wouldn’t you? Watford and Millwall play Monday night.

Anyway, here’s next week’s predictions:

• Coventry City 2-2 Birmingham City
• Swansea City 1-1 Millwall
• Wrexham 1-0 Derby County
• Charlton Athletic 0-2 Blackburn Rovers
• Ipswich Town 1-1 Portsmouth
• Oxford United 2-1 Sheffield United
• Preston North End 1-1 Bristol City
• Southampton 0-2 Middlesbrough 
• Stoke City 1-1 Norwich City
• Watford 2-1 Hull City

Another good weekend, moving up the table. Let’s keep this momentum going, and make it four in a row. See you next week after a trip to Hillsborough. 

You R’s.