First of all I'd like to set the scene. It's approximately 18:30 Tuesday evening and I've driven straight from 9 hours of work to Derby to meet Andy.
We land at a pub called "Pride Park" which is situated several hundred yards from the ground, and my first act of the night is to get changed in the toilets.( this was not the planned start to the night but I was running late) After settling down with a pint each I sat with the thought of a meat and potato pie in mind as Andy wolfed down some chips across the table from me.
After a brief chat with a local about all that was wrong with our respective teams we decided to make the short journey across to the ground. It was about 19:15 hours when we arrived and the first thing on my agenda was that meat and potato pie, however Andy wanted a cheeky look inside the ground first. As it would only be quick I agreed and after a brief look at our evening surroundings it was off to the concourse to get the Holy Grail.....the pie of all pies, a meat and potato.
As we reached the counter the young girl serving asked if she could help. "yes please, I'll have a meat and potato pie, a coke and a fanta please" I replied with eagerness. "We don't do meat and potato pies, we only have steak and kidney or balti" she said. I looked across the counter in disbelief at what I was hearing. "You're telling me that the only decent pie there is, isn't available?" I asked. "no sorry, we did them last season but not now"said the girl. Shocked and upset at the poor judgement of the Derby County caterers I said "well it isn't last season it's this season, I'll have a burger instead." After parting with the best part of a tenner I sat eating, what I have to admit, was a fairly good burger but wondering what could have been.
The match kicked off and Stoke looked laboured. Same old direct football with very few players showing the effort to warrant a clap from what was a healthy turn out of Potters fans. 33 mins on the clock and with Stoke trailing 1-0, it was time for Andys toilet break and some more refreshments. Having been pre warned about the pie situation, Andy opted for a burger (which still proved awkward as he didn't know whether he wanted cheese or not.) In the end he opted for a plain burger and the girl shouted for a plain which we turned into plane and asked, if they can get hold of planes why weren't they able to supply meat and potato pies? The girl and her lazy counterpart (who was serving nobody, leaning on the till and staring at us) to be fair to them had a good sense of humour and played along, which was probably the only positive from the whole experience in the ground. After giving me a full rundown of the chocolate available I decided I'd go for a tub of pringles, which, once consumed turned handily into a portable drum, which is the least that should be offered since we again parted with the best part of a tenner.
The second half was again poor with the sight of a rowdy Stoke fan taking advantage of unreserved seats to get a view from every part of the stand, being the highlight of the first 15 mins. The introduction of Tuncay and Lawrence added that spark we had been missing most of the game but the breakthrough still wouldn't come.
Stokes approach is too predictable and we need new additions before the start of the season, in particular somebody with pace who can get at opposition defenses and put them on the back foot, rather than our predictable diagonal ball approach.
It could be a long hard season without additions, as teams wise up to Stoke's predictability, however I can see mine and Andys adventures around the country being very enjoyable.
