Wear And Tear And Then More Wear

We thought we knew all about the Premier League
But going to Stoke, I must say,
Is really unique, and unlike all else
In the attritional way that they play

They wear you down at the start, then the idea
Just when you have weathered the storm,
Is to wear you down even more, then come what may
Wear you down at the end, that´s the norm

And honestly there´s not an awful lot else
To say about yesterday´s game,
Try as we might, all that wearing down
Just left us with nothing to claim

Extraordinary how such a basic game plan
Can still keep bringing them success,
They´re past masters at it, there is no doubt
But extraordinary still, nonetheless

We never got into a rhythm at all
And never were allowed to play,
But we´re not the first, nor likely the last
To be lulled into the Stoke way

But hopefully next year if we´re still both here
We might come up with a plan B,
For I doubt that they´ll change much in that respect
And why should they, necessarily

And though some games can´t always be won in style
No matter just how hard you try,
If you´re a Stoke fan, I guess the three points
Seem more than pleasing on the eye. OTBC

That one´s out of the way, Wigan up next

Have a good week all,

Yours,

 

Well said RBF, by goodness I would not want to see that every week

On reflection, it was probably the wrong fixture to give Howson his first-team debut! Let's hope there are no scars!

A bad day at the office! At least Wigan play football! Roll on next Sunday!

 

Morning dave, yes a real baptism of fire for Howson, I´d say, still things can only get easier from now on. I had hoped that we might be able to impose our style of play on them, but should have known better I suppose.

Could you, or anyone else who may have seen the game, just help as regards their goal, was the throw which lead up to it a long throw into the box or not. It was impossible to tell from Goreham´s commentary.

 

RBF, ironically it was a quick, short throw, excellently flicked on by Cameron Jerome.
One of the few moments of skill in the entire 90 - and it should never have even occurred

 

Cromer, yes I noticed Lambert´s been complaining about it, but no real surprise if it was a duff decision, considering who the ref was.

and ta, Maestro, nice to have it confirmed

 

...... really dodgy attempt at a tackle by ward. seemed to make no effort to actually complete the tackle and in fact never touched the player or the ball.

 

I watched the game at a local pub on a large screen and it seemed as though Ward almost pulled out of the tackle for fear of giving away a penalty.

IMHO, that was never a game for such an inexperienced referee - FIFA approved or not!!!! Also, I thought the official with the flag was the 'ref's assistant' and didn't necessarily have to be obeyed.