S25/26 | The Official Match Thread | Stoke City 2 Swansea City 1 | Att: 23,089 | 13/12/25 | The EFL Championship | The Bet365 Stadium

[cmajack]

Things getting more spicy around us now. Still up to us obvs. 50 points. 9 wins.

They certainly are, got no consistency in our results, just when you think we may have turned a corner there's another defeat waiting. Think we need some additions in January or we could find ourselves in trouble.

 

[Copamundial]

If anybody wants Burgess dropped you’re off your heads.

 

[Jackareme]

I still havent cooled down on the Josh Key performance- but surely when you are struggling you go back to basics
Comes on as a right back abainst a dangerous left winger. Priority 1,2 and 3 is staying tight and containing the threat
First involvement today - not only was he not tight to his man - he had ZERO idea even where he was!!
There is s deficit here that is beyond coaching.

 

[cwmdonkinjack]

They certainly are, got no consistency in our results, just when you think we may have turned a corner there's another defeat waiting. Think we need some additions in January or we could find ourselves in trouble.

we are in trouble

 

[Copamundial]

Eom has quality and for all his shortcomings Ronald offers energy if nothing else, they along with Burgess didn’t cost us today it was the delay and choice of substitutions that did.

 

[sit_down_jack]

They certainly are, got no consistency in our results, just when you think we may have turned a corner there's another defeat waiting. Think we need some additions in January or we could find ourselves in trouble.

To be fair, did anyone really expect much from today? We have a terrible record up there and have lost there with better teams. I personally wasn’t targeting this game for any points, even with the two consecutive wins. I have higher hopes for Wrexham at home and the few home game we have in January, though.

 

[Glyn1]

It sounds like an enjoyable game.

 

[cmajack]

To be fair, did anyone really expect much from today? We have a terrible record up there and have lost there with better teams. I personally wasn’t targeting this game for any points, even with the two consecutive wins. I have higher hopes for Wrexham at home and the few home game we have in January, though.

Well plenty of posters on this matchday thread thought we were coming away with the 3 points today on the back of two home wins, or at least a point. You can't just rely on beating the teams below you to stave off relegation. Our record against teams above us is absolutely appalling, particularly anyone near the top half of the table, and every team we play that are in a poor run of form almost always beats us . Stoke were on a dreadful run, as were Birmingham, Leicester and Bristol City when they played us, just to name 4.

 

[FearOfAJackPlanet]

Frustrating not to get a point and keep the momentum going.

The Burgess error was the crucial moment in this game. We'd played well, were on top overall at that point, and when he had the ball there we were under zero pressure, zero danger. A lazy, unfocused moment from him led to a free invite on goal and they scored. We never recovered from that. Without that mistake it probably would have been a point or more.

We just need better players, simple as. We've had countless similar games under previous managers where we 'looked good', but didn't get points as players just aren't good enough in key moments. Big transfer window coming up. Need 1-2 quality signings at least to lift the overall standard up, like LOB did last season.

 

[Copamundial]

Frustrating not to get a point and keep the momentum going.

The Burgess error was the crucial moment in this game. We'd played well, were on top overall at that point, and when he had the ball there we were under zero pressure, zero danger. A lazy, unfocused moment from him led to a free invite on goal and they scored. We never recovered from that. Without that mistake it probably would have been a point or more.

We just need better players, simple as. We've had countless similar games under previous managers where we 'looked good', but didn't get points as players just aren't good enough in key moments. Big transfer window coming up. Need 1-2 quality signings at least to lift the overall standard up, like LOB did last season.

Bit harsh on Burgess,it was a wonder strike from a player who should have been showered and sitting on the bench after his tackle on Ronald.

 

[Copamundial]

Frustrating not to get a point and keep the momentum going.

The Burgess error was the crucial moment in this game. We'd played well, were on top overall at that point, and when he had the ball there we were under zero pressure, zero danger. A lazy, unfocused moment from him led to a free invite on goal and they scored. We never recovered from that. Without that mistake it probably would have been a point or more.

We just need better players, simple as. We've had countless similar games under previous managers where we 'looked good', but didn't get points as players just aren't good enough in key moments. Big transfer window coming up. Need 1-2 quality signings at least to lift the overall standard up, like LOB did last season.

The real crucial moment in the game involved Vipotnik…twice!!.
His failure to control a lovely through ball and missing what by his standards should have been a sitter is what probably us.

 

[Ringwood]

Matos needs a get ruthless with his limited options

For me Key and lesser extent Cabango are weak links in our defence , I'm happy with Burgess if he has the right partner there no sure Cabango is...

Galbraith is quality wherever he plays

It's either Franco or Stemenic, playing both together limits our attacking options

Neither Eom or Ronald have enough to convince me they won't improve any further

Playing Yalcouye in a midfield with Galbraith gets bullied

Cullen I would keep as your impact sub with Idah.

I would give more game to Melker Casey and Inoussa

Vigs, Tymon and Vip are very decent at this level

 

[FearOfAJackPlanet]

The real crucial moment in the game involved Vipotnik…twice!!.
His failure to control a lovely through ball and missing what by his standards should have been a sitter is what probably us.

There's a difference between lacking quality in moments like that and complete unforced errors under no pressure.

I'm no doubt being harsh on Burgess, and there was a lot of football played after that to turn things around, but there's a particular frustration in players making errors through a lack of focus; more so than them just being sh*t.

 

[sit_down_jack]

Well plenty of posters on this matchday thread thought we were coming away with the 3 points today on the back of two home wins, or at least a point. You can't just rely on beating the teams below you to stave off relegation. Our record against teams above us is absolutely appalling, particularly anyone near the top half of the table, and every team we play that are in a poor run of form almost always beats us . Stoke were on a dreadful run, as were Birmingham, Leicester and Bristol City when they played us, just to name 4.

It was probably just me being pessimistic in fairness. With our performance we actually could have gotten something.

Agree about us being poor against teams on bad runs, it has been a consistent theme this season. I think we are definitely improving and today was the most threatening we’ve looked all season to me.