With Gavin Ward back in goal - to his delight - he was out to prove that he was still as good as we always knew him. He did that, another clean sheet adding to Cutlers good work saw Stoke take their 12th point from the last 4 games.
Gary Brazil and ex-Stoke goalkeeper Peter Fox are the new duo in charge of Notts County but their first game wasn't perhaps what they were hoping for.
County keeper Steve Mildenhall made some good saves in the first half as he was tested several times by Van Doerzen and Andy Cooke.
Stoke went in after a commanding first half and came out to win a penalty 60 seconds or so after the re-start! James O'Connor was fouled running into the box and Peter Hoekstra stepped up to send the ball home from the penalty spot.
Stoke managed to do something that they hadn't been able to do before. A team came to be scrappy and stop us from playing, but when County wanted to fight, Stoke were there and won the battles.
James O'Connor worked very hard and was constantly winning the ball from the oppositions feet. Hoekstra turned on the style and was outstanding, especially the second half where his skill was just unbelievable, with numerous flicks and tricks setting players free to run. Bjarni Gudjonsson also had a good game with good skill in parts.
Notts County failed to have a shot on target all game. Stoke's defence has only conceded 5 this season so far, that says something when you look at all the teams around us in the league who have conceded 12 and more each. The reason Stoke aren't at the top after hearing that, is they have actually scored less than those around them in the league. A striker who is going to put 30+ goals a season is needed, but aswell avoiding how we played with Thorne, we must not sling the ball forward towards that striker, playing football like we are currently doing is a necessity.
editor@stokecity-mad.co.uk
