Stoke City player ratings vs Middlesbrough as frustration boils in away end

Ben Doak of Middlesbrough celebrates scoring against Stoke City
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Narcis Pelach had an eye-opening 90 minutes to end his first full week of training as Stoke City head coach as his side were well beaten by Middlesbrough.

Stoke actually had three decent chances – Bae Junho in an early breakaway, Junior Tchamadeu with one close range header and Sam Gallagher with another – but the majority of the afternoon was spent camped in their own half, with Middlesbrough content to concede possession in areas when the visitors were more likely to make a defining mistake than start a defining move.

The opener shouldn’t have stood, another offside call going against Pelach. Stoke had only half-cleared a corner and it was a soft foul given against Lewis Koumas. Koumas, though, made the cardinal mistake of walking away from the ball in theatrical protest, Boro took it quickly and Riley McGree had a pot shot which Viktor Johansson could only parry. Doak was lurking alone behind Bocat to tap it in and defenders, like for a game-changing moment against Hull the previous week, couldn’t believe the flag wasn’t raised.

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Stoke still could have wrestled their way back level despite spending most of the time still well in their own half. But they remain guilty of being masters of their own downfall too often and sloppy play from Ben Gibson put Sol Sidibe into a hole he couldn’t clear and Hackney drifted from left to right before beating Johansson.

There was a lot of frustration bubbling in the away end and those that stayed let the Stoke camp know there has to be vast improvement and quickly.

Here are the player ratings from the Riverside Stadium:

Johansson: Some important saves and displays of bravery that kept Stoke in it. 7.5

Tchamadeu: Dreadful back post header to end first half and some embarrassing theatrics. Has to grow up fast to prove he should start games for Stoke. 4

Bocat: A hard day up against Ben Doak, even before taking into account another big offside decision going against him. 4

Gibson: Has to lead by example at the back in terms of knowing what to do beyond passing it back and forth. 4

Wilmot: Saw a lot of the ball, albeit very close to his own goal. Switched to right-back when Tchamadeu was hooked. 5

Thompson: Passing without a purpose too often. At least tried to take responsibility. 5

Burger: Far too weak and passive at times. Has to stand up and be counted and prove he can be a senior player in the Championship. 4.5

Koumas: Not much going for him going forward. Soft free-kick given against him for opener by bad referee but had to be smarted to stop quick take. 5

Junho: Has to step up to take chances like the one Stoke forged mid-way through first-half. Nowhere near the player he can be at the moment. 5

Manhoef: Didn’t see enough of the ball either as a 10 or when switched to the right, when his day was ended early by injury. 5

Cannon: Only seven touches in first half as he struggles to make an impact or provide the outlet that Stoke desperately need. 4

Substitutes

Moran (for Cannon, 46): Offered Stoke’s best touches in the opposition half with control and a football brain but not enough. 5

Gallagher (for Manhoef, 55): Big chance for equaliser with near post header on first corner but directed shot up rather than on target. 5

Rose (for Tchamadeu, 63): Thrown on in central defence in a second-half reshuffle. Mix-up with Johansson in closing stages. 5

Sidibe (for Burger, 63): A welcome footballer in key area but punished for mistake in build-up to second goal. 5

Vidigal (for Koumas, 79): Looked rusty on first cameo of season. Leg swinger from close range and ambitious drive over from distance. 5

Not used: Bonham, Stevens, Seko, Tezgel

Referee: Steve Martin (Staffordshire) 2

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