Stoke

[Dirtyweasel]

Fortunately, football won today. My opinion of Stoke was fairly low before kick off, and they failed to change it. Anti-football from the off with long periods of the game seeing most of their players 'parking the bus'. Good to see us having the ability to win ugly, when previous seasons would've seen us draw or worse.

We have a plan b under RoKo

Like Shotts says, Wednesday should see us progress if taken seriously.

Well done Saints

[PapaLazarou]

An important and very satisfying win.

After last week's drubbing of Sunderland, this was always going to be a tougher test.

Very pleased with our first half performance where I thought we dominated everywhere and, but for a coat or two of paint, we could have gone into the break several goals to the good.

Second half was poor at times - too many unforced errors and misplaced passes; Tadic went quiet (which meant Pelle went quiet), Bertrand looked dead on his feet and it needed Big Vic to come on and solidify midfield. That said, and although Stoke were being let back into the game, I can't remember Forster having to make any saves of note.

I wasn't overly nervous towards the end as Stoke really didn't offer much of an attacking threat, but I will admit to counting down the 4 minutes of added time rather more than I did last week..

Sometimes you just have to win ugly, and this bunch proved yesterday they're very capable of doing that - well done Saints, a great result..

[Dirtyweasel]

I've read that a number of Stoke fans feel they played really well yesterday

[Dirtyweasel]

According to their main forum, Stoke Cake or something, they could, and should, have beaten us on Saturday. Had it not been for us scoring more than they did, they feel they dominated the game and had the better of the chances. They also make reference that Saints fans seem to think we're in a three horse race for the title with Citeh and Chelski.

I'm guessing they're slightly aggrieved having lost on Saturday, and if their thought's on tonight's game are anything to go by, we're in for an utter mauling.

I never realised Stoke were so good

[PapaLazarou]

Could've, should've, would've..

The only relevant stats are the 1-0 scoreline and the 3 points in the bag for us.

Still, they shouldn't be too disappointed for failing to score against the side with, at this moment at least, the best defensive record in all four English leagues..

[proclaimer]

It's a great question because so often this board has seen posts criticising when we go tamely out of cup competitions - but asked to choose directly ... Hmmm.

Well I'll go for a cup win and one foot further towards a possible final (and maybe Europe if it went the right way?) and a draw in the league.

I may have to go for 2 wins at this rate.