Tomaszk

Surprised at some of those! They have come into form similar to us as well in the last 6 games. I thought they were the best team we've played this season. That midfield three is so strong. Comparing them to West Brom and Norwich who I've seen, Stoke are miles ahead, purely on just those three bombing round midfield. Rowett defensive football is the only thing that will stop them getting into the play-offs. The only team I'd be worried about meeting on what I've seen so far.

They'll want a fortune for an English striker that age. More than £20m. I don't think anyone would pay that at the moment.

Only reason I wouldn't is because I'm so confident we'll get them anyway. Maybe unwise.

If we could pinch him off Rangers he'd be a welcome addition. Be great for seeing games out.

He had a load of shots literally right at him.and caught them. He was as you'd expect a professional keeper to be.

Is this a post from September? We've scored 21 goals in six games against some of the best teams in the league. Last time we didn't score was two months ago v QPR who we were better than. You play us and sit back and you will lose.

We were far the better v WBA. All they had was a big lump out wide to Barnes. Bad finishing, should have had 4 and still were robbed in injury time. Played on the counter against us but were never really looked consistently dangerous. Forgot Forest, they were OK, not as good as Stoke though. First team in six matches where a point was a fair result. Norwich limping past poor opponents, they'll fall away. Key thing for me is, it looks like there's a spot there for someone who wants to go on a good run. If we beat you, which we won't without Grealish, I'll be getting very carried away as I've got you penciled in for one automatic promotion spot. And us beating you means there's 1st to go for. If you close down our center halves, you'll probably score a couple.

He thinks he's better than he is. Doesn't think he has to run. Dangerous, he could tumble down the leagues.

Didn't have Grealish for half a season last year. Lost in the playoff final. With the handicap of Steve Bruce as well. Keen to see how good Leeds are because you lot must be confident of going up. Not been impressed with Boro, Derby, West Brom or Norwich. Stoke the best team we've played so far for me, and Sheff U look alright every time I see them.

Although I'd enjoy it, I don't think Canelo deserves GGG again. As corrupted as sport can be in plain sight.

At some point Chester, Axel or Nyland is going to get tackled by a forward with disastrous results. Chester in particular isn't comfortable playing this way at all. I hope it doesn't cost us points when it happens.

I think McGinn coped with their excellent midfield three very well. He was in there with Whelan and Hourihane, where Allen has Clucas and Woods. McGinn will be a Premier League player soon.

One thing I noticed with Smith and the bench today is that they love having a real conference down there don't they! Him, O'Kelly, Terry and Cutler all stood chatting and pointing for minutes at a time. I like it to be honest. Making a decision on what they see, what they want, discussing options. But I do think some earlier subs would have helped us today. Plus we were a bit of a slap dash shape after the Hogan sub. He was obviously primed and ready before the 2-2 goal. Then we went ahead and made the change anyway. McGinn and Hourihane were both strictly staying deep in the knowledge they were now sharing midfield with a striker in Tammy and didn't want us to get caught. We lost a bit there because movement from those two was opening a lot of doors for us throughout the match.

Didn't say unconditional. Said fan, which I thought you were. Wouldn't blame you if not, horrendous manager. Finished. Dean Smith has shown him up.

Infuriating that pen. His positioning was so weird. Invited him very obviously inside then just tripped him up. Kodj did some good tracking back 3 mins later and brought him down because he did exactly the same! Showed him inside then couldn't keep up! Remarkable from such an experienced player.

McGinn better than Glenn today for me. I'd happily keep him in that role and bring Grealish in for Hourihane v Leeds though.

Bit unlucky again I thought. A blocked clearance ending in another one of those goals we concede where the opposition strolls onto it with no one near them. But unlucky stuff tends to happen a lot around bad defenders. We all know the entire defence is a mess. Keeper and both full backs need replacing. And both centre halves make me feel queasy in possession at times. Did well v Ince who had three in three. He'd have cut inside Taylor all day long. Huge header right at the end with Crouch looming about the knock it down into the six yard box as well. That would have caused mayhem. His aerial ability is why he's in the team ahead of Elmo I think. We're a small side.

Well you were a fan for much of his time here so probably less affected by his disgraceful management TRO. I heard fans after saying exactly that walking out the ground today "We'd have lost that under Bruce". And a guy I bought some tickets off before the match said he's found himself drinking less because he doesn't need to when watching us now! It's one of those almost sarcastic lines like "at least it isn't raining". After we've had a bad result, I think many will be thinking/saying "at least Bruce isn't still here" for years I'm afraid. Smith got a few bits wrong today I thought but I cannot believe how brilliant he's been so far. And he hasn't had a pop at the fans yet.

It wasn't atrocious. Did you see who they were playing against! You have to look back three months for anything that resembles atrocious. I agree Grealish is the man. Won't beat Leeds without him. Hmm, quote seems to be underneath my message for some reason. Interesting.

Westwood would shine sitting in this midfield with this setup. He was the only player willing to get on the ball in those dark days. Standard Hourihane today. Filled the role, didn't overt exert. Hid and passed off responsibility. I can't believe that chance at the end. Why on earth didn't he drive into the box more?! So much space in front of him. It all would have opened up even more and he could have either shot himself or be laying it off to someone else who would be there for an effort from around the pen spot. Some nice runs forward into space, a key part of Smith's system which whoever is in that forward midfield role does. Great setup and coaching from Deano.

I agree. He rescued a sinking ship so quickly there was bound to be a few leaks still poking around. The great thing from my point of view is that we still weren't that poor today. We just weren't our usual incredible selves. Missing your best player never helps either. Subs should have been earlier though, we needed a lift. Really getting blue balled with O'Hare now.

Imagine being a Stoke fan. That team, that midfield, and they spend most of their time delaying the match. Awful. Their team was an entire Premier League XI, then they brought on Afobe and Crouch. Can't believe how many saying we were really poor. The bar has been set so high clearly. If they scored at that free kick right at the end and won 3-2, I'd still have enjoyed today more than some wins under Bruce. We're so great to watch. Absolutely below previous weeks, but that Stoke Summer weather doesn't lend itself to our incisive football. A blocked Hutton clearance (with yet another midfield opponent wandering unchallenged through onto a cutback) and Elmo ridiculous decision making were their goals. We had multiple other chances that could have ended up in goals for us. Bolasie poor for entire second half but a dream of a cross for Kodj. Not sure El Ghazi has ever been asked to play in rain like that, he didn't fancy it today. Tammy and John McGinn brilliant, super attitude from both, lifting those around them.

This is exactly what Dean Smith would say if he was posting here. Thanks for bringing the good times back Deano.

Gonna hammer down the whole match. Hope the boys are sharp. Tough to knock it around on a greasy pitch. Don't want too much casual play around the defence if being pressured.

I'll be there with open arms and a red carpet.