Stoke City - Invincible?

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Two seasons ago, most Stoke and other football fans alike would not have expected Stoke City to have cemented their place as an established Premier League outfit.

Now, still under the guidance of Tony Pulis, that is exactly what they are, but why have Stoke done so well where the likes of West Brom have consistently failed?

It's always vital, especially for promoted teams, that you pick up enough points at home and don't leave anything to chance on away form.

Stoke City have done just that and have carried on from where they started in what is now their third consecutive season in England's top flight.



The Britannia Stadium has been one better than a fortress for Stoke throughout their Premier League stint.

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This season has been a slight disappointment for the Potters at home, even with 5 wins out of 11, which shows where their ambitions lie.

Only four home defeats against Manchester United, Tottenham, Fulham and Blackpool are something which have lifted the side to 8th in the top flight, thanks to three away wins, only one less than they picked up in the whole of last season.

The defence has always been solid at Stoke and they have contributed with more goals this season, but they will be looking to add to their 4 clean sheets so far in the new year. Clean sheets win points and that is a huge influence behind Pulis' side's form.

It's just as important, of course, that they score the goals to keep them up and that responsibility, largely, has come through their two key players; Kenwyne Jones and Matthew Etherington.

Jones, in particular, is unplayable at times, as Pulis said in his interview with the BBC, and is much more than his 5 league goals suggest, playing as a lone striker on occasions.

Kenwyne Jones put a halt to his unsuccessful spell at Sunderland but has become a key player at the Britannia Stadium.




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His physical prowess is something only shadowed by perhaps Carlton Cole, Kevin Davies and Jason Roberts in the Premier League and how every team outside of the top 4 would love to have such a talented striker who is so good in the air.

Maybe Steve Bruce could care to explain how he wasn't good enough for the North-East, although you could criticise his work rate at time.

Matthew Etherington is another player who any Stoke fan would say is crucial to their success.



Matthew Etherington is a rare breed in the Premier League; a winger who takes on the full back at every opportunity.

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Despite earning 3 caps at England U21 level, the winger, who I think is one of the best proper wingers in the league, has never earned a proper call up, despite his attacking nature and fantastic left foot.

That left foot has seen the 29 year old score three goals this season while his crossing continues to improve, producing a peach for Jones to head home at the weekend against Everton.

You would say the one thing the team is lacking is perhaps a solid midfielder who can win the ball back, but maybe Tony Pulis has something up his sleeve in the January transfer window.

The key element behind Stoke is belief, something which numerous teams are lacking this season and you wonder where that could take them, with the side only three points away from a Europa League spot in 6th.

That would be just deserts for a side which have moved on from being long throw specialists and have made the Premier League sit up and take notice that they can play good football, but it would be some achievement for one of the more impressive managers in the league.

Can Stoke City reach a European spot? How good is Kenwyne Jones? Please discuss below.

Phil Jones Injury

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How unfortunate is Phil Jones?

The 18 year old made his debut for Blackburn Rovers in the 1-0 Carling Cup win at Nottingham Forest just over a year ago in the Carling Cup.

He has since become a permanent addition to Rovers' starting eleven after impressing against Chelsea on his Premier League debut, but has yet to score for the club newly owned by Venky's.

I was at Ewood yesterday when Jones, who, after a change in management, didn't start a Premier League game for the first time this season.

As if that wasn't a big enough blow for the England U21 defender but, when he did come on, he lasted only 11 minutes before going down clutching his knee.

Reports have suggested that it might have been cartilage damage and that he is set to miss three to four months at best.

I, for one, am massively disappointed in the bad news for the player who was tipped to earn an England cap soon under Fabio Capello.

Yet again, injury denies the Premier League, and England, of another promising talent.

Fabio Capello has handed a few young players their England debuts, but Phil Jones' has now been put on hold.

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There's nothing to say that Jones won't come back from this set-back but, if nothing else, this is awful news for Blackburn Rovers.

Despite playing in central midfield for most of this term, Jones has made a huge impression at centre back and his no-nonsense approach has seen him gain admirers across England's top flight.

It screams memories of Aaron Ramsey's injury for Arsenal last season.

Ok, that was a bad tackle by Ryan Shawcross but, regardless, Ramsey had just found a breakthrough into the Arsenal side.

Ramsey has yet to return for Arsenal after this tackle from Shawcross 10 months ago, but Jones' injury looks less serious.

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Perhaps one little comfort for Rovers fans would be that, now that Jones is injured, nobody will come in for him in January.

It does, however, leave Rovers dangerously short of cover at the back for next weekend's game against Stoke, with Chris Samba also limping off early in the second half against West Ham yesterday.

Consider that Pascal Chimbonda is mildly out of favour at Ewood Park, perhaps this may be the chance for Gael Givet to show his worth at centre back, with Martin Olsson or Grant Hanley slipping in on the left.

Pascal Chimbonda is unwanted by Rovers, but Rovers will have to find cover if they are to let him go.



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Most fans would prefer to see Olsson on the left wing and he was a liability at times last season at full back, but desperate times call for desperate measures and it remains to see who might come in, as players or staff, in January.

I think it's fairly obvious that, even if Steve Kean retains his managerial position, investment has to be made in the transfer window, or else injuries could be Blackburn's down-fall yet again.

Steve Kean dropped Phil Jones for his first game in charge at Ewood Park



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The bad news seals an awful week for the North West club, who sacked Sam Allardyce last Monday, hardly 24 hours after a 2-1 defeat at Bolton.

Venky's were responsible for that and boo's were heard at Ewood on Saturday when the Venky's logo was displayed.

It's only after such a poor result and performance that people realise that Phil Jones may be more costly than 2 dropped points to the league's bottom club as this fascinating situation with the owners remains on-going.

How much of a miss is Phil Jones to Blackburn Rovers? Comments welcome below.