First impression of the Stoke fans at the game was that they were class, the most vocal I've heard in a long time. I was all set to slaughter the team they support and took a peek at their board and... well, they're still class. To a man they're against the behaviour of players like Wilkinson who were clearly out to injure our players and their manager who straight out lied in his interview. So, fair dues Stoke fans... I hope you get the team you deserve. VORM - 8 - some superb saves. At times looked a littler nervous on the crosses, clearly told not to come for crosses against their tall forwards - but the plan worked. RANGEL - 8 - has developed the defensive side of his game brilliantly. MONK - 9 - Organised excellently and fought hard. No sign of the injury problems. WILLIAMS -8 - Fought hard and was unbeatable in the air. Wrongly focused on by Pulis (6 of one etc) as a way of masking his teams flaws. GOWER - 7 - Some brilliant work, but some sloppy errors. No need for the fans to get on his back but the 60 yard backpass was a poor one. ALLEN - 9 - Competed brilliantly throuhout and, as challenges flew wildly he kept his head and passed his way out time and time again. ROUTLEDGE - 7 - some great creativity on show but lost his head a little at the end with a sliding challenge that could have seen a red card. The only player to be visibly affected by the behaviour of the Stoke players. Rodgers sensibly hauled him off shortly after. DYER - 9 - took on players twice his size time and time again and made fools of them. Some astonishing talent on show. Little miscontrol at the beginning of the game only blot on the copy book. GRAHAM - 9 - astonishingly under-protected. Graham had to put up with a referee that would watch him being hauled to the ground and then give a foul against him. He fought throughout and took the chance that came his way. Kept his head under provocation and taught the opposition how to compete without cheating (yeah Pulis, the two are not synonymous). SINCLAIR - 8 - He is rapidly growing into the premier league. Quiet in the earlier games, he drew an astonishing save from their keeper (on a side note, the gent did clap the home fans at the end of the game - what is he doing in that team?) and drew a desperate professional foul from Pennant (pity his crossing wasn't as accurate as his fouls) and maintained his penalty record.
