Just watch where Graz was looking when his left arm swing round. He was clearly watching the ball loop up behind him. If he was deliberately going to hit Bruce his gaze would have switched from the ball to the player. It didn't. Also if I wanted to hurt a centre half who was kicking the crap out of me, I wouldn't use the inside of my forearm
I actually think Pelle and Bruce are two of the most honest players around. Pelle never complains despite the tough treatment he gets, and I've never seen him dive or go down easy. Bruce I imagine has to keep his behaviour in check because his dad is the boss. Proper footballers those two, if only more player were like that.
I was at yesterday's game and I am amazed at Kevin Friends inept first half display ,he allowed Dawson and Bruce to push/ pull Pelle all over the place but not give a foul then straight after Vic put his hand on a player and gets booked and they gain a free kick in a dangerous position ,and match of the day showed none of this. However he did get the foul by Pelle correct even Alan Mclnally who did the game for sky said it wasn't a red card as did Jenas on MOTD but Danny Murphy is a cock.
The incredible stat for me is that we haven't conceded more than one goal away from home since the opening day. Just outstanding.
I have just watched it, just about not a red, but he definitely clenched his left fist and swung his arm forcefully. If you watch it carefully he pushes Bruce with his right arm first in the head and then swings with the left which was not a natural movement for someone trying to head the ball. Definitely a yellow though as no way was that a complete accident.
Sterling, Sturridge, Noble, Eriksen, Agbonlahor, Sanchez, Barnes, Dann, Gouffran, Berahino, Costa, Jagielka. Those are the infamous 12. At home the offenders are: Austin, Touré, Lampard, Clichy, van Persie (2), Hazard, Shelvey, Coutinho, Sterling. And that's it, so far!
I thought that Hull deserve credit for defending well, against a rather off the pace Saints. There were a few occasions I found myself grateful that a chance fell to a Hull player rather an Arsenal or Chelsea one- they did squander a few. Just one other thought regarding SKD. Yes he has always been a great shot-stopper and has not let us down at all. Is it my imagination that his distribution is a tad quicker and better than when he was our 1st choice? He doesn't hang on to the ball in the frustrating way which he used to whilst his teammates ran around looking for him to release the ball.
Correct. The only side in the league yet to give one away. Although it if fair to say that we've been fortunate in that regard.
Definitely 4 years. This is our 3rd prem season but 3 years ago today we were playing in the championship. (Getting promoted) Four years ago we were in League 1. (Getting promoted) and losing 0-2 at home against Rochdale.
OK, fair enough. Just shows that, although 4 years is no time at all, in football terms a great deal can happen.
I was there and the best thing about that day was the fish n chips right outside the away turnstiles I also met Old Stockton Saint outside that chippy.
I think many of us have underestimated Kelvin Davis because we have not seen him play for so long and the last time we did was during a bizarre spell where Adkins was rotating our keepers. Fonte said that he thought that Adkins dropping Davis after the Arsenal game dented his confidence and maybe it took a while to recover and we have not seen much of him since then. If he continues to play well then I do not see why he should not remain a good squad player. His distribution was good and he obviously calms the defence down and made a couple important saves in both the Hull and Burnley games. I think he is better coming off his line than Forster too as he showed in getting to that short back pass on Saturday.
I think that Pelle and Yoshida plus SKD deserve a fair bit of credit for their performances against Hull. Not crowd favourites but did well. Yoshida looks good defensively, it is just a shame his passing range is average and he often goes backwards or does short tentative passes because he is not comfortable bringing the ball forward.
SKD had a good game, bar the one sliced "pass" to Toby. Yoshida was bossed all over the place in the first half, but played very well in the second half. Pelle started poorly for 15-20 minutes, holding very little up, but after that his hold up play and passing was excellent, particularly as Bruce and Dawson kept trying to give him one from behind all afternoon.
