The transformation of Stoke City into a passing, attack-minded team continues to be a struggle.
US right back Geoff Cameron and the Potters dropped another match, this time 1-0 away to Fulham on Saturday. The deciding goal was scored by Darren Bent with seven minutes remaining as Fulham (17th place, 2-4-1), owned by American Shahid Khan, catch Stoke (16th place, 2-4-1) in the lower end of the standings on seven points.
It was a quiet match for Cameron, who was not at fault on the Bent winner and not called into action much from his right back position. In fact, Stoke’s most promising attacks often came down the left side, and Cameron typically opted for the simple, easy pass when his teammates found him on the right.
The ex-Houston Dynamo man had a lone shot in the 68th minute that was deflected for a corner kick.
Aside from two penalty kick shouts for Stoke in the first half, it was an overall poor attacking display by two offensively anemic sides. The Potters, who await the arrival of current New England forward Juan Agudelo in January, have only scored four goals in their seven EPL matches this season.
It was much of the same story in Saturday's 0-0 tie between Hull City and Aston Villa, which gave US goalkeeper Brad Guzan his second shutout of the young EPL season, both coming on the road.
Hull mustered just one shot on target, a 20-yard, left-footed blast by Tom Huddlestone just before halftime, which was aimed right at Guzan.
Although he wasn’t severely tested, Guzan did have some shaky moments. He looked indecisive on two crosses from the right side which entered the six-yard box in the first half, but his teammates intervened to quell the danger.
The former Chivas USA 'keeper also came out flailing on a set piece in the second half, but Hull failed to capitalize as the follow-up attempt went over the bar with Guzan off his line.
The draw keeps Aston Villa, owned by American Randy Lerner, in the upper half of the EPL table in 8th place (3-3-1, 10 points).
