Official Stoke City Match Thread

[Marky]

Was nice to hear Pulis single out Johnson and Benayoun as the best players tonight instead of it always being Gerrard and Torres.

[Baracus]

I thought Benayoun made a big difference. Someone who can link up with any player on the pitch, who is a ball carrier and a creative player. More players like him the better. Just like Johnson's Baby oil, he moved like oil all over the pitch. Slick.

[Elrond]

I think between Insua and Johnson, we will see the two best fullbacks in the league this season. Johnson was brilliant, Insua wasn't far behind... For a kid his age, he is going to be one of the best left backs in the world.

Lucas was fantastic also, fair play to him. He's worked his ass off and looks in great shape. Seems to have improved his defense a whole lot, he looked great tonight (even though it was only Stoke). Mascherano was back to his old self too, great to watch.

Torres seems to be getting fitter. Took a while to get into the game. I thought he actually hesitated before scoring that first goal, but was probably just steadying himself. That first touch from the cross field long ball was unbelievable and shows it won't be long before he is back to his best.

Benny, Gerrard and Kuyt as our 3 support players behind Torres were all fantastic tonight. It's a joy to watch them all switching positions throughout the game. All can play on either wing or through the middle without a problem.

And Pepe Reina ... What can you say? That save in the second half was one of the best I've seen in a while. I just don't feel like other teams can score when he is between the sticks, he seems so calm and assured. One of Rafa's best buys.

Great game tonight, lets hope we can keep up that sort of performance against Villa.

[BigChief]

I know what you mean about Reina. Even watching the Spurs game and Bassong heading the ball in, it took me 5 seconds to register that Reina hadn't saved it. My brain was still in "Impossible but Reina will save it mode".

[DannyMan2006]

Just a last thought on this. We were three nil up and cruising towards the end. Wouldn't it have been nice to stick on Martin Kelly towards the end and give him his debut? Give him some time on the pitch and a much needed morale boost.

Seems a shame to have wasted an ideal chance to give him some game time. Maybe could have brought him on for Kuyt and stuck him on the RW for 9 minutes or so.

I just think that in a home game where we are cruising we should be looking to get the young kids on. The result is in the bag so may as well get something out of it.

[EwarWoo]

Not had the pleasure of watching the match yet will do so tonight, but Johnson is looking the business from reports (and also being one of the few good players at WHL).

I don't want to get too carried away after 2 matches (and 1 of those currently second hand) but we're starting to look like we do have our star signing after all.

For a running start to a Liverpool career he's almost up there with Torres. Getting very, very excited about this fella.

Was pretty much non-plussed originally, expected a slight step up from Arbs only, but he's looking the real deal.

Amazing what playing on a good team who grants him total attacking freedom can do. Yet another Rafa masterstroke. Signing of the summer.

[Shaggy]

Brilliant comment by Alan Hansen - cant remember what it was tho. But it was brilliant, same cant be said for Lawrenson

"Through thick and thin, son"

[Guest]

I think Rafa should contemplate offering a new contract to Insua. The lad is progressing fast and I bet that teams from Spain will look in envy. A future world beater in the makings. He's got everything to become a world class left back.

[Pablo]

Johnson is going to be absolute dynamite in these types of games. He didnt have to do any defending last night so we just used him as a second winger, and bloody hell hes good!

He will be one of THE key players in turning these annoying draws against the smaller teams into wins.

[Shaggy]

Johnson, the full-back, has shown more quality wing play in two games than Pennant did in about two years.

[red g]

have to say shawcross looked like a quality player to be fair.

And glen Johnson is a brute, If only what could have been going back to the Alves Deal!! you can see why in Rafa's team Fulll backs are soo important.

Johnson Destroyed Stoke,

Benayoun has an almost Kuty like work rate, there was one point where he ran behind a stoke player from 10/15 yards and my firsdt thought was Babel would never have done that

[Pacman]

Johnson, the full-back, has shown more quality wing play in two games than Pennant did in about two years.

I agree.

Early days but the las looks a player.

made up we've got him.

[The_weatherman]

I agree.

Early days but the las looks a player.

made up we've got him.

I didn't expect him to be that good, and he seems to raring to go and full of confience, even after a poor display for England. Exciting player who would have won us title last year IMO.

[MrMichael]

I think between Insua and Johnson, we will see the two best fullbacks in the league this season. Johnson was brilliant, Insua wasn't far behind... For a kid his age, he is going to be one of the best left backs in the world.

Lucas was fantastic also, fair play to him. He's worked his ass off and looks in great shape. Seems to have improved his defense a whole lot, he looked great tonight (even though it was only Stoke). Mascherano was back to his old self too, great to watch.

Torres seems to be getting fitter. Took a while to get into the game. I thought he actually hesitated before scoring that first goal, but was probably just steadying himself. That first touch from the cross field long ball was unbelievable and shows it won't be long before he is back to his best.

Benny, Gerrard and Kuyt as our 3 support players behind Torres were all fantastic tonight. It's a joy to watch them all switching positions throughout the game. All can play on either wing or through the middle without a problem.

And Pepe Reina ... What can you say? That save in the second half was one of the best I've seen in a while. I just don't feel like other teams can score when he is between the sticks, he seems so calm and assured. One of Rafa's best buys.

Great game tonight, lets hope we can keep up that sort of performance against Villa.

Agree with all that

Insua is just so impressive its silly. Yeah he overhits a cross or two and isn't exactly dominating in the air, but he's got a very mature head on him and is making huge strides towards becoming a top quality full back. Aurelio (when fit) is seriously going to struggle to get into the team). With Johnson looking every inch a £17m full back those 2 could be massive players for us this year. Unless you ask Paul Merson of course.

The difference in our attack with Benayoun playing ahead of Babel was plain to see. What a good buy he's turned out to be too, such an intelligent player, he just makes things work and gets the best out of those around him.

Reina is boss

[Pacman]

I didn't expect him to be that good, and he seems to raring to go and full of confience, even after a poor display for England. Exciting player who would have won us title last year IMO.

It's like having an extra forward on the pitch.

He's just exactly what we need to take us to the next level. Last season we were good infact we were very good but we just missed out by 4 points. Johnson could be those 4 points. He is better than Arbeloa going forward and will score and make goals. Don't get me wrong Arby did well for us and I'm in now way slagging him it's just Johnson is better and he is going to make things happen.