Stoke City's Bristol Defeat: Player Ratings

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Post on Feb 14, 2025

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Stoke City's Bristol Defeat: Player Ratings - A Disappointing Day at Ashton Gate

Stoke City suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of Bristol City at Ashton Gate, a result that leaves many fans questioning the team's performance and direction. The Potters struggled to create significant chances and were ultimately undone by two well-taken goals from the Robins. Let's delve into the individual player performances with a detailed breakdown of our player ratings.

A Disappointing Collective Effort

The overall performance was lackluster, lacking the dynamism and incisiveness that has characterized some of Stoke's better displays this season. The midfield battle was lost, and the forward line struggled to create any meaningful opportunities. The defense, while not disastrous, was ultimately unable to prevent Bristol City from finding the back of the net twice. This was a collective failure, a day where the sum of the parts was significantly less than the whole.

Player Ratings: A Critical Assessment

Here's a breakdown of each player's contribution, with ratings ranging from 1 (poor) to 10 (excellent):

Goalkeeper:

• Jack Bonham (6/10): Couldn't be faulted for either goal. Made a couple of decent saves to prevent a heavier defeat, but overall a quiet game for the keeper.

Defenders:

• Ben Wilmot (5/10): Looked shaky at times, struggling to deal with Bristol City's pacey attackers. Needs to be more commanding in the air.
• Harry Souttar (6/10): The most consistent defender on the day. Made some important clearances, but even his performance couldn't prevent the goals conceded.
• Josh Tymon (5/10): Offered little going forward and was exposed defensively on a few occasions. Needs to improve his attacking contribution.
• Dujon Sterling (4/10): Had a difficult afternoon. His positioning was often questionable, and he struggled to contain Bristol City's wingers.

Midfielders:

• Lewis Baker (5/10): Tried to dictate play from midfield, but lacked the necessary support. His passing was often inaccurate.
• Jordan Thompson (4/10): A largely ineffective performance. Failed to provide any real creativity or drive in the middle of the park.
• Mario Vrancic (5/10): Showed flashes of brilliance but was ultimately inconsistent. Needs to offer more in terms of attacking threat.

Forwards:

• Jacob Brown (5/10): Worked hard but lacked the cutting edge in front of goal. Missed a couple of decent chances.
• Dwight Gayle (4/10): A frustrating afternoon for the striker. Isolated upfront and largely ineffective in his link-up play.
• Will Smallbone (6/10): One of the few bright sparks in an otherwise lackluster performance. Showed some good touches and movement, but needs more support from his teammates.

Substitutes:

• (Ratings not applicable due to limited playing time)

Areas for Improvement

This defeat highlights several key areas that need immediate attention. The midfield needs to regain control of the game, the defense needs to be more resolute, and the forwards need to be more clinical in front of goal. Manager Alex Neil will need to address these issues quickly if Stoke are to avoid further setbacks.

Looking Ahead

The upcoming fixtures will be crucial for Stoke City. They need to regroup, analyze this defeat, and use it as a learning experience to bounce back stronger. The focus now shifts to the next match and regaining momentum. The team, and especially the individuals mentioned above, needs to improve significantly to challenge for their goals this season. The Bristol City defeat serves as a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done.