downing was something else in last night game.. hope he keep performing to justify BR faith in him... and his crazy transfer fees.

apart from that, finishing is what makes the difference.. 5 points apart.. we are getting closer..

Your judgement on Allen pretty harsh, imho. From the start of the season he has been playing off position as DM as Lucas cover and doing pretty good job at it.. not as good as Lucas but decent enough. Then later changed to more forward midfielder which hasn't really working out. My suspect is burning out.. he is kinda off form now but hoping he could bounce back later. This is his first season anyway..

I would like to read what Chelsea fans will says about RB if that really happen.

With Enrique fit and fully confident Downing this game should be better than the Villa game in terms of creating chances. My usual concern is the finishes. Suarez surely will be marked tight and Jonjo should be responsible to open up the Stoke defense allowing others to get some shots in. Here's hoping Gerrard play like he did against Fulham...

Yeah.. most of Stoke's players are tall and tough which contributed to their playing style. I can see Sterling, Suso and similar sized players would struggle against them.

Draw is expected but a win would not change our place on the table although bring us closer to the top teams.

The intent was there.. both should have been red carded..

rent a bike.. 10 bucks a day... though you are probably too drunk to ride a bike back to your hotel..

That was a valid excuses but the fact that most of the players perform very bad in this game is not excuse. All 3 goals are mistake that could be dealt with. Both our CB having hard times coping with Stoke direct football as expected and doesn't really get much help from everyone either. Upfront, Shelvey just shite.. Suarez alone looks bother to fight once we goes 3-1 down.

Oh, our players looks like a midget compared to Stoke's. Been wondering if Coates is better suited when we are against for this kind of tactics.

This particular 3 goals was obvious the CB struggling to mark the scorer forcing them to make mistake. Both being tormented by Jones and Walters. Not like its from counter attack or something.. Maybe my sentence is wrong but my point is they should be extra bodies man marking Stoke's forward. That's why I said Coates should probably included in this kinda game.

I agree, BR has made some mistakes in terms of tactics and players selection in couple of games including this one. What I can see from last night game that most of our players not exactly on their best abilities.. Suarez and Gerrard works hard though..

And I honestly think Sterling should replace Shelvey instead of Suso.

He is below Agger and Skrtel but I do think Coates if best suited for physical and high ball game like this.. We should go for 3 CB right on the start.

We have wingbacks in Johnson and Enrique which is while true they are a threat going forward, they also a suspect when defending especially when we being counter attack. This is why closing down crosses is bit hard to do for us. Back then we have Hyppia controlling the air and Masch patrolling the areas.. breaking the attack. But now, we don't have both yet. Lucas did manage to handle the task that Mash had but he end up injured and so far yet to regain full fitness. Hyppia replacement is a bit tough. Based on couple occasions when Coates did play. He have good aerial abilities but a bit slow on the ground. Maybe in time he will become a good reader of the game like Hyppia to covers his lack of speed.

Stevie is whole another level when he's Shelvey's age. Its very hard to find a talent and loyalty like he has nowadays..

My friends who are gooner's fans already started to bark now.. my whatsapp full with their banters. Couldn't counter them much. Please don't get beat up by QPR this week..

In terms of size, yes we are still one of the biggest in the world.. But performance wise, currently we are a midtable team.. Fans should accept that asap..

Next season maybe.. maybe we could fight to become one of PL so called big four team again.

the team that finish 2nd in 08/09 is the best for me. firing in all cylinders but inconsistent against lower team cost us. I remember how disappointed I am when we lost the title chase. we almost made it..

look where we are now.. sigh..

they got it wrong.. In terms on how the team played under Kenny, it's not much different than BR. Only lack of goals denied a better position in the league. Kenny should be allowed atleast to fulfil his contract. His downfall would be the disastrous signings.. weren't Comolli involved I'd think the transfer fees would be less a lil bit.

But what's done is done. I think if BR couldn't at least qualified for Europa next season his position also not safe. FSG still Americans..

I never will agree he is totally in the wrong saying this.. You got to understand the man.. We finished 2nd that year and very close to the top. We lost battle at the end and he probably noticed in that season that his squad still lack depth to challenge entire season long hence "not good enough" remarks.. IMHO he doesn't mean his current players are shite. The following year he lost his 2nd most influential player in Alonso and he didnt managed to replace him because Barry become greedy and Aqua somehow shite. In an ideal world, when a manager managed to get good results and asking some funds to strengthen his squad further.. The owner should give it without having to ask the manager to sell players for funds. He's became frustrated and turning bitter. Eventually lost his focus because the never ending battles with the boardroom.

He was battling with the press since he got here so its not a suprise the press will questions his actions and results.. Ending up influencing his senior players turning against him. The moment Stevie and Carra start listening to the press, thats was the time he lost his team.

All I was saying, for 5 seasons he been asking for players and he usually didn't got his first choice due to budget and had to resorted to a cheaper players. Any manager would lost his plot.. If he had the chance to work with a better owner.. We probably already got our no 19 a couple years ago

This post has been edited by rushmode: Dec 29 2012, 10:50 AM

An expected win but good game nonetheless. Too bad the team stop caring to score in the second half. Probably instruction from manager.Suarez really does need someone to complacent him. Sterling was off last night.. Couldn't pass the defender most of the time. Hendo and Downing did good.. Especially the former.

Roll on next game..

Happy new year. Dont drink and drive..

you have summarize it perfectly. now i easy to remember

notice this too.. before this they were restraining themselves and pass short.. maybe BR already give permissions to do what they see fit based on situations.

I'm almost 2 hours late to office but with a game like that.. I don't care. Hendo and Downing really did well. both works their socks off and making runs to get Suarez space.

Well done to the lads.

This post has been edited by rushmode: Jan 3 2013, 03:32 PM

the team really not bother to play 100% and the pitch making it harder for smooth passing. We should have buried in this second half. Shelvey was wasteful..

the press will have feast on Suarez goal... he's back to become world's biggest cheat now...