Stoke City player ratings vs Plymouth as Mark Robins has to find way to solve familiar problem
Mark Robins saw Stoke City struggle to find a way to break down Plymouth Argyle as he starts his new job with a goalless home draw.
Stoke had fired blanks in three of their last five games at the bet365 Stadium and, after not finding an immediate breakthrough during an energetic start, they toiled against a side willing to sit back and slow the game down however and whenever possible.
Tom Cannon went closest when he touched a Junior Tchamadeu cross past the post in the second half while there were appeals for a penalty as the full-time whistle blew amid chaotic Plymouth defending at a corner kick.
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But Plymouth held out for only their second clean sheet of the season and it’s three in a row for Stoke, albeit that wasn’t all that much consolation to a crowd of 26,168 that had sensed this was a chance for three points.
Robins had been given a warm reception as he was introduced to the home stands and saw Stoke start reasonably brightly. Gallagher barrelled through the Plymouth midfield before a shot from the edge of the box that didn’t trouble Conor Hazard. Darko Gyabi acftually did likewise going the other way, brushing off pressing from Andrew Moran and Tatsuki Seko.
Lynden Gooch and Seko linked up soon after the break to hook a ball deep for Tchamadeu, sprinting into the box, but he couldn’t target his shot past Hazard. But it didn’t help when Stoke lost Gallagher, who had been limping after a first half collision, as soon as the 49th minute, causing a reshuffle which saw Burger return to central midfield and Moran pushed up to support Tom Cannon. It was Tchamadeu next to try his luck from 25 yards with a left footer but it was a hopeful hit.
Koumas fancied himself against Bali Mumba and sprinting in from the right set up Burger to pirouette around two challenges before a shot deflected over. Cannon couldn’t tap when Tchamadeu crossed after linking with Koumas, Ashley Phillips couldn't force home a set piece - and a late melee came so late that the full-time whistle blew before it played out.
Here are the player ratings from the bet365 Stadium:
Johansson: Tried to inject a bit of urgency, even with just the way he grabbed the ball to take a free-kick. 7
Tchamadeu: Adds something to attack when he gallops forward and looks a lot better when things aren’t overcomplicated. 7.5
Gooch: Booked for mistimed tackle after losing control and has to be more careful at judging long balls. 6
Wilmot: Has looked at home at centre-back in last three games and comfortable, no nonsense defending here. 7.5
Phillips: A couple of fumbling moments but kept his head and defended with pace and strength. Willing to chip in going forward too and a threat at set pieces. 7
Seko: Has to be able to find a higher gear and force the tempo in home matches, albeit needing help from movement around him. 6
Moran: Dropped to the edge of his own box in first half to try to start attacks but more comfortable further forward. 6
Junho: Set-pieces were disappointing as he struggled to beat first man and didn’t show the new boss what he is capable of doing in open play. 5.5
Gallagher: Able to win headers and muscle through challenges with a couple of ambitious shots. Struggling after defender landed on foot in first half. 6.5
Koumas: Had the beating of Mumba on the Stoke right and direct running with pace was the most likely way of creating an opening. 7
Cannon: Aggressive again but couldn’t provide ruthless touch in box when set up by Tchamadeu. 6.5
Substitutes
Burger (for Gallagher, 49): Lively introduction, looking to make things happen in the opposition half and unlucky after skilful drive into area. 7
Not used: Bonham, Stevens, Rose, Ennis, Lawal, Gibson, Sidibe, Tezgel.
Referee: Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire) 5
Match rating: 5
