Following the final game of the season, where Stoke walked out on final day as 0-2 victors against Play-Off contenders Bournemouth, Here’s my final player ratings:
Adam Davies – 7 – Couple of unbelievable saves from Davies, commanded his area and helped Stoke equal the clean sheet record, a record he’s played a big part in claiming.
Tommy Smith – 7.5 – His best performance in a while. Solid defensively. Good going forward, putting in some great balls, then topped off with a really well taken 2nd goal of the season for himself.
Will Forrester – 9 – Yet another youngster making a debut under O’Neill’s watch. Forrester came in and seriously didn’t look out of place at all. Defended extremely well, composed on and off the ball. Oh not to mention a goal on the half-volley, he came close to a second! The perfect debut.
Danny Batth – 7.5 – So solid today, attempted to put his name on everything, lead the back 5 to yet another clean sheet this season. Clear to see why he was captain at Wolves.
Rhys Norrington-Davies – 7.5 – Brought the ball forward from defensive positions when possible, made himself hard to get past and gave his all to cap off a successful loan spell. Unlikely but hope we get to see him in a Stoke shirt next season.
Joshua Tymon – 7 – Put an honest shift in as per usual, didn’t get too much luck when coming forward but has certainly proved his value to the squad this season.
John Obi-Mikel – 8.5 – Very close to being MOTM had it not been for Will Forrester’s incredible debut. Controlled midfield today and dictated the game. Two magic moments with the pass to Matondo in the first half that nearly gave Brown his 7th of the season and his role in Tommy Smith’s goal. What a signing Mikel’s been, if only he was 3-4 years younger.
Jordan Thompson – 8 – Turned Pearson inside-out countless times with the drop-of-the-shoulder, provided energy to the midfield and acted as Mikel’s legs. Doesn’t give players time on the ball either.
Sam Clucas – 8 – Looked a lot more like the version of Sam Clucas we saw last season. Energetic, always available for a pass and helped going forward, need more of that from him if he’s here next season.
Rabbi Matondo – 8 – What a finish to the season Rabbi’s had! Surprisingly played through the middle today. Ran former Stoke loanee Cameron Carter-Vickers ragged today and arguably should’ve got Carter-Vickers sent off for a last man challenge. Another one I’m hopeful we’ll see back here next season.
Jacob Brown – 7 – Constantly worked defenders and made them panic. Such a good team player, a true role model to any young players.
Substitutions:
Christian Phelps-Norton – 6 – Only got a few minutes off the bench but has had a really good first season at Stoke after signing for the U23s at the start of the season. A real prospect.
Sam Vokes – 6 – Barely got a kick after coming on late. Just hasn’t been his year at all. Will be interesting to see if he’s at Stoke next season, but he’s not the only one.
Substitutes not used: Josef Bursik, Tom Sparrow, Kieran Coates, Daniel Malone, Connor Taylor, Eddy Jones, Lewis Macari.
Referee – David Webb – 5 – Generally made the correct decisions.
Performance rating – 8 – One of the better performances of the season, saved till last. Moved the ball well and took the 2 goals really well and kept play-off contenders Bournemouth busy at the back. A lot needs to be added to the squad for us to be in their position come this time next season but the squad we already have has a lot of quality too.
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