Stoke talking points: Demand continues, a double concern and a major blunder

Stoke City were left sweating over injury scares to Junior Tchamadeu and new signing Djibril Soumare. as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Crewe Alexandra this afternoon.

Soumare had to be replaced after the half-hour mark after picking up a knock, before Sam Gallagher gave Stoke the lead when he towered to meet a cross from Eric Bocat.

If Mark Robins had hoped to escape further injury issues, Tchamadeu then had to come off after the interval, and Stoke will hope both problems are not serious as they prepare to jet out to Portugal for their pre-season tour.

It marred what was a competitive and valuable workout for Stoke against a Crewe side who were brave in possession as they plan for next season's assault on League Two.

However, they nearly conceded a comical own goal in the second half when goalkeeper Ian Lawlor cannoned a clearance off his own defender Mickey Demetriou but watched as it dropped inches wide of the post.

But they did leave their mark at the other end when Adrien Thibaut climbed highest to glance a header past substitute goalkeeper Frankie Fielding.

Stoke had several chances to win at the end as Maxsym Talovierov, Lamine Cisse and Milan Smit went close. Smit also saw a header appear to cross the line at the death, but it wasn't given as both sides settled for a draw.

A valuable workout

As far as pre-season friendlies go, this game was far more entertaining than your usual summer workout. While the results are immaterial, fitness will always be the ultimate priority. If Mark Robins wanted a game to brush off any lingering cobwebs from the break, then he certainly got it.

That was largely underpinned by a Crewe side who wanted to make a game of it rather than saunter about in the sun. They were extremely brave in their approach under manager Lee Bell, who was educated at the school of Dario Gradi. Pass and move has always been Crewe's mantra, but there were times when it became a little too risky. On the occasions Stoke were gifted possession in the final third, they couldn't muster the ruthlessness Robins might have expected.

Robert Bozenik's shot that flew over the bar in the first half perhaps epitomised the lack of composure in good positions. Stoke eventually did get their noses in front courtesy of a wonderful Sam Gallagher header, having gone close with a similar effort earlier in the half. The striker was one of the standout performers, even if he was playing out wide.

Major ref blunder

It was a good job there was nothing riding on this game because Mark Robins' post-match press conference would have been cause to get the popcorn out. Quite how the officials didn't manage to see Milan Smit's effort cross the line is a question only they can answer.

Okay, it wasn't quite as dramatic as Luis Garcia for Liverpool against Chelsea back in 2005, but it was evident to everybody in the stadium that it was in - except the officials.

This wouldn't have happened in the Championship because they have technology in which a wrist-worn buzzer alerts the referee. Smit looked incredulous that he wasn't credited with the goal, as did the Stoke fans who were sitting right behind it.

Their disbelief was entirely understandable because the ball was so far behind the line that it may as well have been in Chester.

A double concern

The two main objectives for a manager in a pre-season friendly are to a) get minutes into the legs and b) avoid any injuries. Stoke ticked the first box, but they were not so fortunate with the second.

Djibril Soumare, the summer signing from Braga, had to be replaced after 36 minutes after picking up a knock and if that wasn't irritation enough for Robins, Junior Tchamadeu also had to go off in the second half.

The good news is that both players were able to walk off without assistance, which suggests they aren't too serious. There was little point in keeping either player on because a niggle can quickly become something more severe if you're not careful.

Either way, it's a double concern that Stoke could have done without, which served as another reminder that while pre-season friendlies are necessary, there is always the potential to lose a player or two.

The good news is that Stoke don't have to worry about another game for a while, which means Soumare and Tchamadeu don't need to be rushed.

Gallagher's hang time

It's fair to say that Stoke have not seen the best of the former Blackburn striker, who, by his own admission, has not played as many games as he would have liked after signing two years ago.

You get the sense that he will be eager to make up for lost time, and staying fit has to be his priority. If he can, then there is no dispute that aerially he's one of the most potent threats in the Championship.

The way he hung in the air to meet Eric Bocat's cross was further proof that if you give him that type of delivery, then he will cause anybody a problem.

Gallagher isn't the type of player who is going to run away from anybody, but he gives you a different type of threat. Whether he starts through the middle or from a wider berth, supplying him from wide areas may prove just as important as adding another striker.