67th minute, Stoke up 2-0 on the crumbling giants via first half goals. I think Geoff is in midfield.
Cameron subbed off for Adams on 75. Comments made from, um, commentators, that Cameron had been questionable to play at all.
Cameron was pretty good I thought. A couple nice passes going forward that could have led to goals, solid in midfield, and did well against Fellaini on a few set pieces.
Is that the official word? I saw him come off and he was only slightly off his gait and wasn't holding his hammy or anything. Seemed in good spirits as he "tagged out" to Adam.
It was the hammy tightening up for him. Might explain why he faded somewhat in the game. He was outstanding in the first half, winning balls in the air, running at defenders, hassling attackers, playing deft long balls, outletting quickly, etc. 2nd half wasn't really bad or anything given he's a CDM but he wasn't very present and a couple times he was it resulted in a semi-costly turnover and he was chasing the game more so. Still busted out some sweet long balls and quick passing. He was involved in one of Stoke's goals, beating a defender along the sideline, then sending a chip over the top that the defender beat his teammate too, but I think Cameron kind of knew what he was doing to just hang it up in that unpredictable wind and hope for the best. Depay misplayed it, Stoke picked up possession in the box, and the rest is history. I think our boy is one of the better CDM's in the EPL when healthy, and definitely stands out over Whelan. Always should have been favored. He's made a difference in both these home Manchester upsets, and they lost the only game he didn't play during this stretch. Don't think it's entirely a coincidence.
First paragraph is extremely spot on. The 2nd is a tad overreaching. Whelan is key to an organized midfield defensively. Stoke was a mess the 2nd half when he went out, Geoff dropped back in his place and it was a mess. They held on of course but the team shape was dramatically different.
Geoff was just great in the first, great touches and bite. On both of his big plays, he fought the defender off the ball, created space for himself and made a pass. The ball to Arne was top notch, the ball to GJ was a bit wishful. Either way he pushed the ball forward and looked to make plays. The 2nd half he faded considerably, and I think he knew it. Took himself out, no ego on our guy. Team player through and through. Great win for Stoke, and overall a very key cog for Stoke. Very proud of him again.
He, and the team somewhat, probably faded because of his injury. That's why he took himself off, ultimately. Cameron didn't play in the previous game, but Whelan did, and the team lost, with Whelan getting subbed due to ineffectiveness not injury. His ability to hound, force turnovers directly or indirectly, and outlet quickly, make a run, or play a killer long ball, appears rather important to them. Hopefully he can shake this nagging injury and keep this, his breakout season in the EPL, at 30 years old, w/ him finally playing in his proper central spots, as opposed to improperly out wide, going.
Yes, Cameron sat out last week's game precisely because he had injured his hamstring the week before. He was day to day for Boxing Day. Hence, he called for the sub when his hammy told him to.