It is reasonable to say that Stoke City, led by Tony Pulis, took a lot of flak for their style of play after being promoted to the Premier League. Too rough, too much of a long ball squad, and too dependent on setpieces, which typically involve a Rory Delap throw. Too Stoke.
However, it appears that the rest of the football community is at last adopting the Pulis style of play. First, it was Arsenal, of all clubs, who had a tendency to use setpieces to their advantage, even hiring Nicolas Jover as a setpiece coach.
And now that Manchester City is struggling, the great Pep Guardiola is using long-ball play instead of the tip-toe tactics the great man often uses.
.And it worked against Chelsea on Saturday night, as Sky’s Kelly Cates mentioned TP in reference to the City’s strategies in their 3-1 victory at the Etihad.
“Talking about Arsenal and their tendency for free kicks and dead ball situations, Tony Pulis was absolutely delighted,” the daughter of “King” Kenny Dalglish told viewers. I was confident that everyone would adopt my perspective, he continued.
“I think he’s going to be even happier now that he’s watching Pep Guardiola and Manchester City play long ball football, but it works so well for Manchester City.”
‘Slightly better’ Rowett
Gary Rowett maintained his decent run against Stoke City since his brief tenure guiding the Potters as Oxford secured a point at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday.
After the 0-0 boring tie, Rowett was not in the mood to disparage his old employers, which was a difficult viewing for both home supporters and those who had traveled up from Oxfordshire. “I thought it was a pretty even encounter,” he stated following the game.
Naturally, you half-think, ‘Is this the moment where we seize it and we pinch the points?’ when we nip the ball down in the corner and the goal appears to be open.
“But, of course, we couldn’t quite find the finish, we hit the bar, and sometimes that happens, but I wouldn’t have been coming away saying we deserved all three points.
“I think we probably had slightly more possession, probably had slightly more chances, slightly better chances, but I don’t think there was enough in it to warrant either team really feeling like they should have won the game.
“As the away team, sometimes you’re a little more happy when that happens because we’ve won four out of four at home and away from home you just want to pick your points up, so keeping our run going and a clean sheet is not to be sniffed at.”
The one that got away
New loan signing Ali Al-Hamadi was in the stands at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday no doubt wondering if he could have been the difference for his new club against Oxford if he had signed on time from Ipswich Town.
It was too late for the former Wycombe and AFC Wimbledon striker to participate on Saturday because his deal wasn’t disclosed until Friday morning, but his time will undoubtedly come.
The same cannot be said for Fally Mayulu, a forward who has been linked to Stoke this month. The 22-year-old’s loan move to Austrian team Sturm Graz for the remainder of the season was revealed today.
Mayulu, who has played for Rapid Vienna and BW Linz in Austria, made 15 appearances in the Sky Bet Championship this season and scored two goals.
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