Stoke City vs Liverpool FC post match thread

[wiw]

Enrique played the ball to Henderson Craig, and agreed it was superb

[Craig_H]

I feel you. But in practice this was a blow to our league challenge. We can't get any point back for this, and that's why I'm not being so philosophical. Blaming the ref, blah blah, it's desperate stuff. We should have scored before they did, and we should have won by more than one. We blew a good chance to really keep the pressure on our rivals. Keeping the ball and passing it around gives some comfort, but Carra's obvious decline and the lack of creativity where it matters are enduring worries too.

You have to be rational though and look at it from a 'percentages' perspective - playing like that, we will win plenty of games. It didnt happen today for serveral reasons and you'll get the odd game like that, but they're in the small minority and whilst i'm fecked off with the loss, i'm pretty assured that with performances like that, the rational likelihood is that we'll win a healthy percentage of games.

Oh - and in all realistic sense, we dont have a 'league challenge' Sad but true - there's no way we can compete with City and United for the title, not at this stage. Our recovery is still in its infancy and you dont go from Bodge the fraud to title challengers in less than a year.

[pondus]

I've since watched it back and TBH, i dont think i can argue with the decision - what Carra thinks he's doing, with his arm so obviously around the fella's waist, i dont know. If it had been at the other end, with Shawcross doing that to Suarez, i'd be fuming if a peno isnt given.

It wouldn't have been given in the other end, as we saw on three occasions today, because that cunt had a point to prove after the last time he reffed us and were demoted to the championship.

[BobTheCharmer]

you dont go from Rafa, Bodge the fraud to title challengers in less than a year.

we are playing better football now (apart from Feb to May in 09) than we have for years.

Adam did give the ball away a lot, but he made several quality passes to enrique inside the fullback.

[Buzzo]

Good summary(s) Craig, its always good to hear the views of someone who was actually at the game. I agree, so much to be enthused about this season, and if Gerrard returns firing on all cylinders he could be the catalyst to us going on a bit of a run.

How did you feel Lucas performed today, I thought he had another great game, as did Enrique.

[Craig_H]

It was Jose Enrique after Kuyt had won the ball deep in our half

Enrique played the ball to Henderson Craig, and agreed it was superb

Cheers lads. It was a truly delicious ball and showed incredible vision.

[Craig_H]

It wouldn't have been given in the other end, as we saw on three occasions today, because that cunt had a point to prove after the last time he reffed us and were demoted to the championship.

In fairness, i think you're actually wrong factually - Clattenburg was taken off the refereeing lists for some questionable irregularities in his finances.

[Craig_H]

Good summary(s) Craig, its always good to hear the views of someone who was actually at the game. I agree, so much to be enthused about this season, and if Gerrard returns firing on all cylinders he could be the catalyst to us going on a bit of a run.

How did you feel Lucas performed today, I thought he had another great game, as did Enrique.

I thought Lucas was fairly decent, not his best game but he wasnt poor by any means. I did count two dreadful passes that he produced, which looked simple, and at the time, looked to have potentially put us in trouble. But i thought he did ok overall.

[Buzzo]

I thought Lucas was fairly decent, not his best game but he wasnt poor by any means. I did count two dreadful passes that he produced, which looked simple, and at the time, looked to have potentially put us in trouble. But i thought he did ok overall.

Our passing at times looked really sloppy in the first half, however at other times we moved the ball really well.

[Craig_H]

One thing that wasnt good to see, was how much we seemed to try and 'force' it - it happened more in the 1st half, but there were still some examples in the 2nd period too. Instead of a simple ball, we were trying passes that had nigh-on no chance of coming off or leading to anything positive - and we were attempting them far far too often. Serious lack of intelligence at times. Adam was guilty of this more than most, but several of the players did it and it was infuriating to watch at times.

[Vermilion]

Well it's a bit of a blow for me, i was hoping we would'nt be here again...saying the same old things we have done in the past after being beaten by the likes of Stoke City.

[Rich]

Mental 9th game in the fifth

[Craig_H]

Mental 9th game in the fifth

Brilliant wrong thread-age.

[Arn]

I said when Riley got the job as head of referees that we would get very few decisions going our way.

It isn't exactly a secret that Riley is a very good friend with Fergie.

Some people call this league the best league in the world but I can't agree with that. As long as the referees don't even need and know the rules or act like c*nts in game after game then this league isn't even close to be the best in the world, not even close.

Take the decision in our game against Sunderland when it was the most clear cut red card ever when Suarez was brought down through on goal.

Why wasn't the ref suspended a few weeks after that decision only Riley can answer.

I do hope that we file a complaint and demand that Clattenburg will be suspended. Enough is enough.

I think that is what Kenny meant when he said that he will need to talk to our owners.

[Cormack74]

I said when Riley got the job as head of referees that we would get very few decisions going our way.

It isn't exactly a secret that Riley is a very good friend with Fergie.

Really?

It always seemed like it, but I think you'd need stronger evidence than a few iffy decisions at OT.