Hardflip

I always liked Arcade Fire's "Wake Up" that we had a while back. The chorus didn't really have words, but it was easy enough for people to sing along to.

I'm not sure where all the newspapers are getting their "Milner's head is turned" stories from. England players want to stay focused on the World Cup.

That's why I hope these talks don't piss Milner off. Hopefully he'll understand that we can't afford to wait a month during the WC to look at who to sign. Maybe they'll explain that they want to build the team around him, and view him as our main man, etc etc.

It's an unsettling tactic. Man City are doing a fair bit of this to clubs around them, including Chelsea. That's what the whole Terry saga was about - they knew they wouldn't get him. Shame they have to resort to such petty actions.

Good first half, a bit drained for ideas in the second, relied on Downing and Young crossing too much. Ref was diabolical, as they currently are for us. One foul never seen that led to their goal, and two other clear penalties missed. I don't believe in karma but I'd love for it to strike down Spurs and City in the next few games.

I'm assuming a few players will need a rest, right? I've no idea how well Reo-Coker and Davies are coming along, but if they're fit it'd be nice to see them get some game time.

At least start Young. Cueller is going to be leggy after today. An in-form Everton may rip us apart.

I hope he starts letting Young, Davies, Reo-Coker and Sidwell some games. I know Davies and Reo-Coker are just back from injuries, but it'd help to have their energy.

What was Dunne doing?

what a cross!!!!!

It's hilarious how exposed our mentality is. Watch the first 15 minutes again - all the players looked confident, we were breezing through the motions. They score a goal and suddenly Cueller looks like a dog with his tail between his legs. Get Luke Young back in, please.

Also don't play two target men, stick Delfouneso on.

Very strong side. I imagine Milner, Gabby and Young will be taken off early though.

He doesn't have the tackling sense, and he's far too nimble, good at passing, and has a decent shot on him. He's perfectly suited for Centre or Attacking mid.

That said if you had both Delph (with a few years progress) and Milner in the middle, both would work really hard to retrieve the ball. It's probably ideal to get a Defensive Mid to replay Stan though. Let Milner/Delph off their leash.

I think he has fantastic ability but a workrate problem. It's a shame he hasn't found any form this season. I hope he finds the right attitude before the season is over, otherwise MO'N might cash in.

Average first half, we weren't really getting about enough and moving into space to break down their wall.

Start of the second half, you could tell MO'N must've given them a half time incentive. It was a fantastic show of what we can do with our players when they've got the confidence and fire. Movement was excellent, passing was accurate, and we ripped them apart. It's a shame we can't start games like that.

Build that mentality up, make them have it in every game and we'd be killing a lot of matches off much sooner.

Started off bright, but Stoke were really up for it. We needed to answer their attacks with smart possession but we didn't - thankfully we have a great defence to hold out.

Next time this happens I really hope NRC comes on to marshall the game.

Oh no, Carew scored. Still want to get rid?

These anti-Carew posts all point to one thing: John Carew will score today

id still want rid,he's a waste.

Yes, our top scorer last season is a total waste and we should get rid of him. Not a reactionary opinion at all. Never.

Peno!

Carew on.

So are we playing more of a 4-1-2-1-2? Or 4-1-3-2?

Best performance so far this season, the defense through a bit of a wobbly near the end, would've been nice to see Reo-Coker plug the hole while it was there.

Guzan - 7 - Didn't have that much to deal with other than Jelavic fumbling around.

Beye - 6 - Solid but became more exposed as the game went on.

Davies - 7 - A pity about his shoulder.

Cueller - 6 - Headed most things out.

Shorey - 6 - Not terrible by any means, had a decent passing game but was skipped by too many times for my liking.

Milner - 8 - Workhorse performance, nice penalty take.

Delph - 6 - Good game, nice shot towards the end. Very quiet but did his job well. His marking cost us the goal.

Petrov - 6 - A bit anonymous but held it nicely at points.

Young - 8 - Hooray, a decent game. Pity about the penalty. Hopefully all the skins he pulled off adds to his confidence.

Carew - 6 - Great take on the goal but otherwise didn't do too much.

Heskey - 5 - Held the ball up well and bombed down the right a decent amount but should've scored from Milner's cross, and didn't give much to the team.

What I would've liked to see? Gabby and Reo-Coker on after 60 minutes to add a counter attacking threat and slow down their fightback.

Surely something to the tune of When You Were Young would work?