chicago_shearer

All things considered, we've been excellent this first half. We're not bad at playing football at all. It's that Stoke/Blackpool anti-football we're shit at.

Don't speak too soon.

Good call, completely forgot that was on.

One down.

Ok, lets have the Tevez & Milner goals and get this over with. For fucks sake.

If we do end up going down again, I really really hope that it's Stoke & Blackpool that go down with us. The thought of those two staying up is just nauseating.

Nolan has become such a scapegoat. The subs weren't the issue, and we didn't make a purposeful tactical change to being shit in the second half. Hughton should take the blame for set piece defending that looked badly coached and undisciplined.

Hughton's subs cost us the game. Ben Arfa would have leapt at least 3 feet in the air, marked Jones on their first goal and then cleared Perch's own goal off the line. Fact.

Astounding that we found a way to lose that after the first half. Just a really impressive and creative failure.

Carroll has been shit.

Maybe if Hughton had brought Nolan off, Ben Arfa could have defended those set pieces.

Can't really complain. They only do one thing, set pieces, and you can't defend them. Amateur.

Coming on for Ben Arfa. Get those anti-Hughton posts ready, just in case!

We had all the possession, lots of space, and a 1-0 lead. I'd say it could get much worse.

I wouldn't change a thing unless Pulis has a plan B in the second half. We have total control of the midfield and lots of space. If Stoke want to keep men behind the ball and let us pass it around without creating that many chances, then it suits us fine. If Stoke show some sort of interest in a counter attack or generally playing football, then maybe some changes might benefit us. Otherwise, things are looking good.

If I were a Stoke supporter, I'd probably kill myself after that 45.

Pen!

We must have had 70% of the possession to this point.

Fuck off Arsenal.

I sometimes wonder if that Twitter feed is the real deal.

http://www.football365.com/john_nicholson/0,17033,8746_6391618,00.html

This fixture is extremely important, because I think it could provide a strong indication of how this season will pan out. We know there is talent enough to stay up based on the Villa, Everton & Chelsea results, but consistency is what distinguishes the top half. Can you maintain the work rate and motivation against sides like Stoke? If we can produce another good performance, and another good result, then I'll be fairly confident that we'll stay up by a big margin. If we tank, then we are in for a roller coaster. Didn't see the Chelsea game, but would anyone consider breaking up the Williamson/Colo partnership for this game? These physical games like Stoke must be the reason we signed Campbell.

I love the way the whole team celebrates the goals.

Furious I missed it. Have to wait for the Fox Soccer Report tonight for my victory