I thought Davis misfired all game today. When that happens, we suffer. However, as I've said elsewhere: We're eighth in the league, a win off fifth. We've lost one game today after a run of six unbeaten, six games from which we took 14 points. Even after today's game, we've had 14 points from 7 games. Two points a game is well inside top four performance. Vin
My luck had to run out sooner or later, I blame it on the International break and an inept Referee, although Stoke had plenty of chances to bury us they didn't take them, but it wasn't our turn to get a break. Good luck to whoever takes up the baton, it's not an easy one to take on. Watching Citeh getting battered by Scouse isn't helping my mood.
Was a bad day all around - knew it from the moment I realized there was no Hythe Ferry running, and had to brave the traffic into town. Shocking first half, much better second, but Stoke were content to defend, and defend they did. Blatant penalty or two not given against Pelle right in front of me. Very frustrating game.
Stoke deserved the points, but (without the benefit of seeing replays) I thought we had four reasonable chances to equalise, first half, through Tadic, Pelle, Fonte and Davis, but couldn't hit the target. Passing for much of the game was very inconsistent- maybe someone who likes the stats can compare our passing and shooting stats for games after international breaks, with the other games to see if it is as bad as it appears to be. My take on the penalty is that Mason was letting Pelle know that he was the boss. A few minutes before, Pelle played someone up the right wing, turned to get in the box, but was manhandled by the Stoke player, preventing him from getting into the box. Mason saw it, waved play on, but we gained no advantage from the cross. Could have been a retrospective free kick for Saints and a booking for the Stoke player. The ref gave neither so Pelle got in Mason's face about it. A minute or two later, came the penalty. I won't demean it by calling it a penalty incident because it was nailed on, from where I was sat, but the ref somehow missed it. Edit. Got the timeline a bit skewed, but Pelle had spoken strongly to the ref, just prior to the not given penalty.
Pelle missing the City game makes things interesting. Liverpool destroyed them in the first half with light, quick players. Mane and Long to do the same?
Hope to cheer you all up, but even the "best" had a very bad day today. Real getting walloped 4-0 at home by Barcelona. Luis Suarez is an absolute genius. What chance does any team have when faced with 4 geniuses in the same team who just happen to click very well!!
And Messi only came on with about 20 minutes to go! I thought Iniesta was the pick of the bunch, although Bravo made some incredible saves. Iniesta scored the best goal, and even got an ovation from the Real fans when he went off.
Thanks, Godders. That ref plumbed new depths in appallingness (if there be such a word) - he was never going to book any Stoke player (Adam made at least 4 blatant fouls and got away with it. JWP clattered him once - his first foul - and gets a yellow). He was after Pelle after Graziano had a "word" with him about his treatment, so there was no surprise that he was going to book him. As for the penalty(s), well, one was a stone-wall one which he looked at and waved away, the other was more 50/50, but I've seen them given. VVD got a hand in the face in the first half (I think that was Adam again) and then poor Cedric got Bojan's elbow in the face right in front of us - a clear yellow (at least), but, no, he didn't even give a foul. Amazing. Oh, and by the way, I would like to applaud the lino on the Kingsland side who not only missed the elbow on Cedric (and Shane let him know it well and true), but also missed at least 2 times when Stoke were at least 2 yards offside on their breaks, because he was so far behind the play. Thank heavens Stek saved one or I might have been slightly more upset with the ****er .............. Fair play to Stoke - we didn't turn up (as usual after a break), we looked slow and sloppy and only started to play in the 2nd half after, presumably, Ron had a quiet word with the players. Clasie looked sharper than I've seen him, which is a plus, but the rest of the team looked poor. Stoke played us well, sadly they were given the chance by the Stoke supporter with the whistle. If Adam had been booked and he'd penalised a few of their fouls in the first half, they might have had to back off a bit later. However, they knew that they could put themselves about and get away with it. I thought Bojan looked sharp and good (sadly, I dropped him from my fantasy team this week - don't like to pick players against us), the rest of the team are pretty average to say the least. Oh well - it's one game. Onwards and upwards ........... I'm off on hols next week so will miss the Liverpool and Villa games - hope I come back to better news!!
I went to a bar here in Esporles to watch the game when the link failed. By the time it came back Barca were cruising 2-0. Real were chasing shadows for much of the match. I suppose the only team that can get anywhere near challenging Barca in this from will be Bayern.
Just about thawed out now. At least it wasn't raining. Like to find out who has hidden my cold weather boots! I was impressed by Stoke's defence and also their counter-attacks were really good- up until the finishing which was, fortunately, rubbish. We could have easily lost this 3-0. Hey-Ho, we just lacked the quality and creativity today. Hoping for better next time out.
It wasn't because we played the wrong right back was it? Poor Cedric was having a poor game today. He stood 3 or 4 yards off Arnartovic every time he had the ball, allowing him to literally walk towards our box. He also had a mare going forward and couldn't cross his legs today! Maybe we should have player Maya.... *runs*
I was really disappointed with the crowd today. Was the Northam injured? There were 10 minutes at the start of the second half where the crowd and the players came to life but Stoke repelled it and controlled the game again and the crowd resumed their unusual slumber. Long has to play super sub role - has far more impact that way. Ward- Prowse must take set pieces when he's on. Mane should have come on for Long - Clasie was excellent and Mane just came on to a confusing mix of players lacking shape. All that said, one of those days, crap ref, pesky international break, Stoke decent. We'll be back better and stronger.....
Might get shot down for being slightly premature here (ooh-err) but people saying there were no positives to take from today, here's one - I honestly think Clasie will get to be as good as Schneiderlin. Flame away! (But I genuinely do). Edit - I do appreciate they are slightly different players, what I mean is that I don't think we'll necessarily miss Morgan when JC is fully up to speed and potential.
