Tony Pulis has built a physically imposing, hard-working team which has amassed a high amount of points over the last five premier league years. The Britannia has become a fortress which many teams dread visiting because they are most definitely not in for an easy afternoon. The features of Stoke's play are: an extreme aerial threat, direct passing, physical defending and maximum effort throughout.
According to English Premier League Index, somewhat unsurprisingly, Stoke have committed the largest total of fouls in the premier league season so far. This style of play is epitomized by their captain, Ryan Shawcross. He is frequently criticized for ' holding' in the penalty box during free kicks, a subject which has been debated frequently in past weeks. However, in the eyes of some, he received his just desserts as he was elbowed, punched and headbutted discreetly by the normally mild- mannered Marouane Fellaini, who, in turn, received a 3 game suspension.
Although long ball tactics will continue to be criticised, Stoke's success can no longer be ignored. This was no more apparent than in Stoke' s home fixture against Liverpool, which was also a battle of contrasting styles. Brendan Rodgers has attempted to adopt the possession style of play for Liverpool which has been so successful across the continent, particularly with Spain's recent domination of world football. There is no question over which style is favoured in terms of aesthetics, as possession football is consistently touted as what has become, the beautiful game.
The match began in a somewhat typical brash Stoke fashion as Ryan Shawcross hauled Luis Suarez to the ground, conceding a penalty which Gerrard confidently dispatched. However Tony Pulis' side quickly responded, fashioning two goals with their trademark aerial ability. Almost the definition of tireless hard work and determination, Jon Walters converted from a cross that trickled away from Liverpool centre back, Martin Skrtel. Stoke's strike force bludgeoned the Liverpool centre backs throughout, and their efforts were rewarded only minutes after their opening goal as Kenwyne Jones rose highest to power his header across the line and past the flailing Pepe Reina. There were glimpses of technical prowess also as Jon Walters superbly volleyed to score Stoke's third goal and put the result beyond doubt, and, as of the 27 December, put Stoke in 8th position, 3 points clear of a Liverpool targeting Champions League qualification.
Similar tactics have been utilised by Sam Allardyce's West Ham, an advocate of the 'long ball' game and have seen his side propelled into the periphery of the top half of the Premier League despite having been promoted from the NPower Championship the previous season. It could also be argued that Neil Lennon used similar tactics to get the better of arguably the greatest team in the world - Barcelona. Celtic suffocated Barcelona's passing game by crowding the centre of the pitch and forcing the opposition to progress down the wings, only to cross the ball to the all too obvious weakness of a lack of height and aerial prowess, much to the jubilation of Celtic Park.
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