No mate, I have no idea. I was at the training ground yesterday morning for an under 18 game and I did see the names of the squad who were due to leave for Stoke early afternoon, but I don't recall Benny not being on that list. His car was certainly in the car park when I left. I am at the Lane tomorrow evening for the under 21 semi, so will find out then and post on here .
Agreed. There's nothing quite as satisfying as going away and winning in front of a hostile home crowd and against a team who have tried to out muscle you on the park. To grab the 3 points and to get out of the place asap and unscathed is indeed a good day at the office.
The injustice of Foy last year has been avenged. My faith in Adam getting sent off once he had a first half yellow was rewarded.
Stoke were on the winning trail again so to beat them tells me that we are in quite good form. When they were reduced to ten men I thought that it might be all over for them but I wish we hadn't left it so late again. One to go and we should win it with ease but I'm not going to predict a score...........yes I am 4-0 to us.
It was interesting that Adam appeared to have directed most of his ire and malevolent actions against Verts this time. The first booking was clearly for the intent of the challenge, once again recklessly going in with no thought. The second was a pathetic trip. That we do appear to be unscathed is a huge bonus. Hopefully, there will be no residual affects on Lennon and Dembele, who didn't look to be fully mobile. At least there's 6 days for recovery.
Mrs Spurcat works with a guy who is best mates with Charlie Adam, and even this bloke makes no attempt to defend him.
Like most I'll take the 3 points away to Stoke however it comes but we really have to sort ourselves out at set-pieces, we concede from far too many.
Don't start me on that subject Roo - the TV was in grave danger, especially after Hudd managed to hit 2 corners over everyone in the space of 5 minutes!!!
There's no excuse. There's 2 things a professional footballer should be able to do. 1) cross a ball reasonably accurately towards a group of players (i.e a corner) 2) strike a penalty kick on target. Even if the keeper saves it... There's no excuse for missing that rectangular shaped target from 12 yards.
Ironically, if we do manage to sneak over the line next weekend, then I think that it will be in no small part for missing a couple of penalties against Basel. Arguably for some, me included, an earlier departure (or different approach) may have improved our chances still further, but I am sure that we would not have got the last couple of results if we had had 2 EL semi final matches to contend with. So - in the end, Ade may be the seasons saviour........
