Hmm. Quite a poor performance today and a real crashing back down to earth. We were very poor in the first half, Stoke missed what appeared to be a sitter hitting the post and the next best chance was some brilliant last ditch defending....by Stoke's own man getting in the way.
Burger nullified our ponderous and almost anonymous midfield, Torp and Allen especially, particularly in the first half. Annoying how we were second to everything. We got progressively better in the second half, without really threatening, a bit concerned by the lack of a clear identity in the way we were attacking, and the subs, whilst completely understandable, completely killed the game for some reason, and we got caught on the break.
The referee, I think it was Gavin Ward, is not a Championship standard ref. Inconsistent decision making, allowed Lorent about eight fouls and three final warnings before finally booking him, whilst booking Binks in the first three minutes. I hate when referees stop the game because of pushing/pulling in the box prior to corners/free kicks. The players know they shouldn't be doing it, so instead of stopping every time, just warn all the players once and that you will be penalised if seen doing it. Just doesn't let the game flow at all.
Still, only one game. As for Stoke, they defended well, worked hard and took one of the few chances in the game. Can't see them struggling near the bottom but can't see them threatening the top, probably get quite a few 0-0 draws along the way to a 13th/14th place finish. City, we go again on Tuesday, and hopefully start to play the way we know they can.
