The Prophet

Premier League is arguably the most overrated league about like. Absolute garbage outside the top six or seven sides.

I wonder if stuck will ever try to evolve their football rather than forever remaining a bunch of talentless, dirty cloggers.

What is a body warmer? Or is this just a slight on David Platt? One of those gay overcoats with no sleeves that southern faries tend to don.

Because Gervinho threw himself on the deck after no contact and Barton threw himself on the deck to make the most out of what was already a red card offense? A distinction without a difference, both play acted in a pathetic attempt to gain an advantage for their side.

Well aye, but it's Stoke. I meant more the game in general.

I think it's been decent.

Textbook Stoke here probably having the better of it. Walters looks like an absolute thug, horrible bunch they are.

Nice one Joey. If only you didn't dive to the floor in the most pathetic manner possible when Gervinho slapped you. What did you want him to do? Not do exactly what he's criticising other players for doing. Gervinho committed a red card offence - if Joey makes the referee aware of that by going down I have no problem with that! Makes the referee aware of it. He acted pathetically in the whole situation. Gervinho and Barton were both embarrassing and they both deserved to see red. I'm taking issue with Barton's clear hypocrisy here. He bangs on with his holier-than-thou mentality and he goes and does that. Feel free to gobble up this "look at me being so against cheating" rubbish when he dived to ensure Gervinho saw red. I agree with you on Barton's hypocrisy, but I'd of given them both yellows until Gervinho threw the slap. Handbags for the most part.

He's very blatantly not, though. He's our 4th best forward. Normally he would be 3rd, but yesterday he was 1st i'm afraid and that says a lot about the others. In fairness you'd expect Ba to be first choice when he's got a few games under his belt.

While Tiote and Cabaye didn't link up particularly well their work rate was top draw, the former doing what he does best.

Shola has 6 in 4 against the mackems, class.

He wasn't bad yesterday, getting some overly harsh stick if you ask me.

Like I said, had he dragged him too his feet, grapppled and that had been it they would of both got yellows, Gervinho was daft enough to react and he suffered the consequences. Barton's behaviour was far from innocent but had Gervinho not been dismissed I doubt anyone would have been calling for a red on Barton's part, it was handbags for the most part.

He looked good offensively in the pre-season matches. And if it keeps Shola out, i'd play anyone. Really, really can't see Gosling as an AMC. Out of curiosity, what do you see him as?

I didn't think Barton did too much wrong today, especially given the fact he was stamped on and slapped. I'd of lost it.

Completely forgot Jol managed Villa these days.

Senderos was an absolute bargain at 4.5 million like.

Al-Habsi

Is he five? So unecessary

I would have given them both yellows hadn't Gervinho slapped him across the chops.

If that's not a dive we may as well turn the sport into a non-contact game.

Without Ben Arfa the massive gap between the midfield and the forwards is a worry.

Ba I could perhaps agree with but Cabaye was far from shocking. It's evident Ba hasn't had much of a pre-season.