This is going to be how our season goes then. We're going to be kicked and fouled all season by smaller teams... they kinda figured out that works end of last season. Big teams will try playing us though. Probably drop most points against smaller teams though.
Sign Tiote He was rusty, and not match-fit today, but he was a class above the rest of our players. He could be the player you need. He's a forceful DM, looks for the ball, likes playing it on the deck, good at professional fouls. I'd rather he went to Liverpool or Arsenal than make a side-ways step.
We've been better team most of the 2nd half but every time we advance we get clobbered. 1st half we wernt as good (although to conceed 2 is harsh)... same story though... every advance someone gets clobbered.
No, they're winning because they'd were better than us to go ahead. They're are however maintaining that lead by being illegally physical but it's not up to them to call it, it's the officials and too often refs seem to think it's an evening up exercise allowing the "weaker" team to get away with more fouls . As you say, they aren't even that and even if they were it's not up to refs to even the playing field.......
Then you clearly don't understand Cheick Tiote AND didn't read my post. Again, he was a class above the rest of our players. LOOKS FOR THE BALL, LIKES PLAYING IT ON THE DECK.
Lambert and Balo more capable of dealing with physicality of the game. Borini has been outmuscled all game.