9 years ago today: Sheff Wed 0 Stoke 0

James O Connor In Action

The Potters first game back in Division One for four years was away at Hillsborough.

Neil Cutler proved the hero as Sheffield Wednesday piled on the pressure in the second half, and had enough opportunities to score but Cutler played very well with a string of great saves.

Both sides didn't have an out and out striker but made chances and could have scored but for two tight defensive displays. Shtaniuk won EVERYTHING in the air which was anywhere near him, Handyside made great tackles, Brnjar out of position yet still doing well and a welcome return for left-back Clive Clarke, who was caught a few times by a fast wednesday right winger.

In the middle, Kris Commons, who earnt his place in the pre-season looked excellent, a man of the match display. He had two great attempts on goal - one he fired from 40 years, beating Pressman but just curling wide of the post and the other a stinging shot which came back off the woodwork. He also bent a freekick round just over the crossbar.

In field - there was O'Connor to battle away for us, he made some good chalenges and passes throughout the game. Karl Henry, who has come on leaps and bounds since last season, looking much stronger than the pre-season friendlies had a great first hour before drifting out of the game slightly. Good passing throughout.

Bjarni gets bundled

Bjarni Gudjonson, a condender for man of the match, some excellent passes, he went for everything in the air and won alot of it, he took people on and generally worked hard and earned his place out there today. One second half shot curved slighty over the bar from 20 yards.

Marc Goodfellow

Up front City relied on Chris Iwelumo and Marc Goodfellow. Iwelumo worked hard, got himself into some good positions and could have been on the scoresheet if not for Pressmans great goalkeeping. Two first half efforts included a header from a long cross which Pressman did very well to save and a turn made by himself in the box, hitting the side netting.

Marc Goodfellow as always terrorised with his pace. He got into some good positions but unfortuatly ended up going one man too far on 2 or 3 occasions. Otherwise a great performance and he earnt his place out there.


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