We gained a good result when we take into account that Preston have only lost one game away from Deepdale and after the weekends results sit in 4th place. So the positives are that for a good 80 minutes we completely dominated a team currently occupying a play off spot.
On top of this comes the news that although the game itself was poor when we played them, Burnley now sit in 3rd place. but in the 'Away' table, sit at the top of the pile, then we take Birmingham into the equation and they are in second place. so to have played three of the top six teams and only lost one of them is not all bad, and with the addition of Lee Hendrie and quite possibly another signing or two of that calibre coming in before the game away to leeds, it is all startinig to come together nicely.
To think that some people were within 24 hours of showing the world how fickle they are by showing TP red cards is quite simply, staggering and was at completely the wrong time. Now they have said that the protest will quite possibly go ahead when we play Coventry on Sky tv is further proof that they are not very well organised and could in fact show themselves up even more if we are on an unbeaten run and play again like we did against Preston would leave many neutral viewers wondering what planet Stoke supporters are on.
So we now have a break and the team is going down to Exmouth for a week to do some marine training, this was obviously organised by Scouse as he is the fitness Guru at the club and is a former Marine himself. It gives the team a chance to bond some more in time for the next game and get some 'fun time' in rather than the daily grind of training that they go through. The only notable absentee will be Carl Hoefkens who will have gone away on International with Belgium. But will be having to think about what TP had to say after the game. " but when we are asked to defend everyone has to do the job asked of them." which is clearly a comment made that a Defenders first job is to defend and not be going up field to try and score a second goal.