Fans of Stoke City have been reacting to a post on Twitter which discusses Nick Powell’s stats from their 4-2 defeat at QPR last Saturday.
Powell, who joined Stoke from Wigan last July, has featured 18 times in the league for the Potters this season, scoring two goals and providing four assists.
Two of those assists came last weekend, and although Stoke eventually lost the match 4-2, fans were left impressed by Powell’s performance.
According to the stats, originally posted by Stoke City StatZone, Powell registered an impressive 54 touches, made seven key passes, won 17 duels and 11 aerials and recovered possession of the ball eight times, as well as providing the Potters’ two assists.
Upon seeing these statistics, Stoke fans took to social media to discuss Powell’s recent performances.
https://twitter.com/liamstokey/status/1229424077338763264
One of the best we have at the club imo.
— darren smallwood (@stokiepainter) February 17, 2020
Very intelligent footballer. Very good footballer. If the wires can stay connected for him, he could easily play PL football again.
Some fans weren’t having Ty either less than 3 months back. Dread to think of the situation we’d be in without the pair of them.
— Richard Carter (@coachcarter1977) February 17, 2020
Some seem to think that because he doesn’t run around and cover every blade of grass that he’s lazy. He’s not, it simply isn’t his style of play, he’s a clever player that you need to build your team around. Without him in the team we wouldn’t create anywhere near enough chances
— Dan Clarke (@thedanclarke) February 17, 2020
I’ve been critical of him, I think it’s because I know he’s capable of a lot so I expect it consistently. He’s been much better the last few games but he’s prone to errors which frustrates me.
I guess that’s why he’s at Stoke City though, not Man City.
— Gareth (@OatcakeEater) February 17, 2020
He was brilliant first halves of our last 2 games. Second halves unfortunately didn’t get a lot of assistance around him to even attempt anything.
— Dan Boswell (@DanBoswell_1863) February 17, 2020
The only player from that QPR game who deserves no stick(& possibly Tyrese). 2 assists & was still chasing down lost causes in the 92nd minute at 4-2 down. You see how frustrated he gets when he plays with no movement Vokes compared to him with Campbell, which he seems to enjoy.
— Tom Coburn (@tomc_scfc) February 17, 2020
What do we think?
Powell’s return of just two goals and four assists in 18 league starts is not exactly what you would expect from your primary attacking midfielder.
Having said that, all six of his direct goal involvements have come since the turn of the year, suggesting that Powell is finally adapting to Stoke’s style of play.
In addition to this, following the 10 fixtures that Stoke have played in 2020, they are eighth in the form table, suggesting that if Powell is firing, so is the team.