The name is Foy. Chris Foy. Licence to Kill.
Monday, December 12, 2011 at 12:09PM Stoke 2 Spurs 1
A referee is not meant to influence a game with such defining persistent calamity. Perhaps one wrong decision (it happens). But Chris Foy is no ordinary referee. Not even average. Poor is the word best associated with him. One mistake swallowed and regurgitated in a constant loop over the ninety minutes played. If ineptness was an art form then his performance in the Stoke v Spurs game was a masterpiece.
The rather ironic saving grace after the whistle blew at full time and we finally lost a game of football in the league was that the players can take the bitterness and allow it to fuel their emotions for the next game (Sunderland at the Lane). Whilst the rest of us (those wanting to look beyond Foy) can feel a little aggrieved that Tottenham let us down in the first forty-five minutes. Because no matter what happened in the second forty-five, the game was lost before the ref and his assistants played their part in guaranteeing it. Still, there is no hiding from the fact that we did more than enough to save the points and our response is what this new-look Spurs is all about. In the end, we were ended by the man with the whistle and not the brutal brand of football our hosts play.
2-0 down, fully deserved. We allowed ourselves to be completely bullied from the off. The formation looked uncomfortable, the players (especially at the back) seemed confused and lost out to Stoke and their physicality (do they have anything else?). I guess this was frustrating for one reason only – what did we expect? Okay, so in the past we’ve had success there but considering our form they were hardly going to sit back and let us play tippy-tappy possession play. Their football is ugly. It can be effective.
I found myself hoping Harry would instruct someone to cello-tape a cardboard cut out of Ledley King onto the back of Scott Parker, for that much needed calming influence. Parker himself, off key, lacked that edge he’s had in his play since he joined our midfield. That leadership quality went missing. We allowed the anti-football to antagonise us.
You know what, it happens. Against Stoke, the obvious actually played out. We let them get to us. Now, for anyone playing around with the words ‘we’ve got out Tottenham back’, I know you’re only jesting. Because old Spurs, that inconsistent creature we hardly miss, would have got battered in the second half too. Not the case this time.
Character. We have it in abundance and we did more than enough in the second half to prove we have spirit and guile. Harry mixed things up with a 3-5-2 formation and it worked. Well, it sort of worked but didn’t. This is where unfortunately the Foy Factor impacted proceedings. Now granted, he gave us a dubious penalty one that you might admit to being generous (and perhaps not wanting Luka to repeat). Although I’m willing to bet most would prefer to silently applaud Modric for it with whispers that certain other clubs have been doing it for years (win at any cost). Personally? Would prefer we win playing football, purely. If our players want to take that particular route of falling down easily, I’d prefer it to remain ambiguous enough for me to ignore.
The inconsistent and dire decision making however had already settled into the game during the first half and spread like the black plague in the second. Luka pen aside (slotted away by Adebayor), the rest were not in our favour. A detail the home support seemed to turn a blind eye too (insert Specsavers joke here).
Time wasting on throw-ins (I feel stupid complaining about the sewn in towel so I won’t)
Shawcross foul on Kaboul in the penalty area, no intent to play the ball, blatant
Shawcross clearing the ball off the line with his arm (straight red?)
Lost count now, there was another handball, right? Woodgate should have walked
A legitimate goal disallowed for offside when Adebayor was onside (assistant ref, anyone?)
The curious case of the corners given as goal-kicks when they were blatantly corners
Various suspect decisions on free-kicks not given, no consistency compared to free-kicks given to opposition
Most of the controversy was post-Modric penalty. Coincidence? Work it out.
He (Foy) influenced the second half. Like the final season of Lost, he had no idea how it would end, making it up as he went along. In the end, what with Kaboul adding to his yellow card for complaining with another yellow for a foul – regardless of the fact that he should have been more wise in both incidents, it almost felt like another kick in the teeth (at a point when I could see us over-running them). Wasn't really a foul worthy of a yellow, was it? Bit soft? If he only stated to the ref 'it was handball' for the first yellow, then you could start to argue that the ref really didn't have a clue how to handle it all and killed off the game completely with over zealous reactions and non-reactions.
Just how much was necessary to make amends for Luka falling over? Or was he also making amends for the Walters header from last season?
The officiating was bad. Our first half performance was bad. So to play well and not get anything after the second half, it’s gutting. But s*** happens. Our response is what I’m taking from this game and as mentioned, let the players feel aggrieved and robbed, let them take that attitude into the next match and take it out in the form of redemption. I’d be far more worried if we capitulated. We didn’t. What it proves is that we have to be far more accomplished from the off, especially when King isn’t playing. So take note chairman and manager, I’m sure they have. Activity certain in January.
This is the ilk of game we've been winning this season. We should have beaten Stoke. We didn't. Never get complacent.
To elaborate on the tactical switch, first half, too many players were isolated so the movement was ineffectual deeming Rafa and his deep deployment redundant and Adebayor without support. With Stoke being what they are we should have (easy with hindsight) started with two forwards, if anything to allow a more balanced shape to the side to deal with their style (lack of). Defoe didn’t deserve to be dropped but then I’m always keen to see Rafa start. In this case, we got it wrong. Harry who is sometimes maligned for not seeing things and changing them got it right when we returned from the dressing room. Foy got it wrong enough to make sure Stoke held on. Something they deserved based on their first half, fortunate to survive the second.
If there was one game in our fixture list that the footballing Gods marked down as the one where we would stumble, this was it.
Etherington for England
‘Unplayable’ Crouch (you just knew this would happen, right? Man of the Match, I'm laughing)
Woodgate and Palacios
The hoofing
No King equating to an Friedel uneasy
Gio's cameo
Still 3rd. Game in hand. Sunderland will get it next weekend. Live and learn. We lost thanks to that first half display. What the ref did in the second will mask that. Onwards, upwards Spurs. Down into the Championship for Foy, with any luck.
As for Stoke. Well done. You’re not pretty. You got the result, but I’d rather be relegated playing football on the park than survive playing whatever the f*** it is you lot do. I guess you'll cite Wigan as a reason why you don't play it on the park. You've done well against the bigger teams. I guess I should be grateful for my colours. It’s not easy down there. It’s just as hard up here.
As for us lot, this defeat, I don't like the taste of it. I've spat it out.
COYS.
Reader Comments (61)
Friedel glued to his line was a weaker act than Gomes crying on the pitch.
Some thoughts from the game:
if it takes a blind ref (I am giving him the benefit of the doubt there was no malice) to ensure someone beats us, then so be it. It was not meant to be.
We are still third, with a game in hand, and fully focussed on finishing top four. Many others would be delighted to be in that position.
We showed character. In adversity. Something that had been lacking for a long time.
The run had to end sometime although I would have preferred it to end in 2012.
So what next? Restart where we left off. I agree with most of the observations. We played badly first half and allowed them to dominate. I also believe our luck would run out soon, looking at performances at Fulham and West Brom. We just need to keep plugging away.
Back to the ref for one final thought. It is hard to ignore so many incorrect decisions and if I was more cynical, I would suspect there could have been an willingness not to allow us to win (by whom I cannot say) if the circumstances presented themselves. But I am not and so I believe this was simply a bad day at the office:-)
Stoke, win, lose or draw = Hated by footballing purists.
I did not hear any Spurs supporters complaining last season when the same referee denied Stoke of 3 points with some equally appaling decisions, including a ball that had clearly crossed the goal line only to be pushed out by Peter Crouch's hands. Then I believe that Harry said these things even themselves up during the course of a season. Get over it and get a life.
As for Stoke. Well done. You’re not pretty. You got the result, but I’d rather be relegated playing football on the park than survive playing whatever the f*** it is you lot do. I guess you'll cite Wigan as a reason why you don't play it on the park. You've done well against the bigger teams. I guess I should be grateful for my colours. It’s not easy down there. It’s just as hard up here.
(what a tool pick up your toys and i would rather go down than having a side full of divers)
Get over it and get a life? Wow. That's so like...circa 1996 usenet. We're football fans, of course we're not going to controversial decisions much like you lot didn't last season and more so the fact you mention last season in your post - epic fail there, no? Oh, by the way, nice of you to miss the fact I alluded to the refs inconsistency. I guess you did that on purpose too?
Stokerus - another one who is obviously giddy from victory.
Your football is not pretty, stating a fact. Also its a back handed compliment. You lot have to play like that because you don't have the players or the belief to play football any differently. If that means you survive in the Prem doing so, well done for bucking the trend.
That better for you?
I am so fed up of all these referee decisions. Not just the Stoke Spurs game, but the New Chels and Spurs Bolton game. How can they get it so so wrong every single time? Its pathetic. The reason is because they are NOT football people. They are like robots who follow rules laid down by FIFA without any common sense. Why cant we get some ex players to ref instead? Pay them up full time, they will be fitter and understand the game and how it works.
We all watch live games and games on TV and the majority of friends, colleagues, etc will all agree what is and what isnt a good / bad decision (even those on the opposing team). So why why why cant the refs? Because they dont know football, they need to take a step back and look in! Sack them all and get the ex players trained up ASAP. #worstrefsever
That's my lot. If people are going to just pull out extracts and ignore the rest, soz, not got the inclination to banter with you.
love and kisses
xxx
You support your club whatever, stoke fans cant help what their manager is forcing their team to do. but to sing 'were stoke city, we'll play how we want' - that is just embarassing, If that is what you want. stoke are just pathetic. stitching a towel into your shirt, resizing your pitch for each europa/premier league game because your whole team tactics are based around a throw on?! please... if anyone needs to 'get a life'...
In all those cases the referee was acting consciously.
You could see that he was aware of what he was doing.
I find it a serious case for Levy.
A proper, ambitious and intelligent president shouldn't let the referees ruin his club and his investment after all.
He should establish the proper contacts and connections to avoid and to obviate in the future such criminal attempts.
It wasn't the fully incompetit, Foy. It was that towel - evil!
As long as we beat Sunderland and the blue scum, I'll be more than happy.
We were tactically naive yesterday. Who would have thought Stoke would come out all guns blazing?
I like the way Stoke fans brush over the fact that Robert Huth impeded Gomes before the ball went near the line last season. The goal was rightly not given.
"As for Stoke. Well done. You’re not pretty. You got the result, but I’d rather be relegated playing football on the park than survive playing whatever the f*** it is you lot do. I guess you'll cite Wigan as a reason why you don't play it on the park"
Hear hear mate , i'd rather support Wigan throughout all their agony than Stoke. At least Martinez loves the game of football in its purest form.
Saw this game on tv in Amsterdam. Used to bad ref decisions, kicked Ajax out of Champ. league. Frustrating, I understand. But one thing: stoke played their best football of the season in first 30 min. It was not ugly, they won everything on midfield and played the ball around in high tempo, Etherington was the best on the field, showed good skills. Wilson played good football. To characterize them als ugly etc etc is not the whole truth. Resist this temptation for once please
Spooky, I share most of your comment and sentiment. One point that I will differ on is the Modric penalty. I don't believe it was a dive. The reaction of the Stoke player that committed the foul spoke volumes: It was "what have I done" rather than "get up you cheat"... and he should know.
Poor refereeing decisions and final result aside, I thought VDV looked particularly below par. His deep positioning (sometime next to our central backs) deprived the team of a front outlet (other than Adebayor, who also often came back into our box to balance the height disadvantage) that would have given the defense a bit of respite and held up the ball. Going forward, the positioning back to front was often VDV-Modric-Parker rather than the other way around. I like having a free(ish) role but too often, his positioning yesterday hindered more than helped.
During the game I was thinking, this shouldn't be allowed. I swear that at times, Stoke players aim to get a throw-in within throwing distance of the penalty area rather than get the ball there by traditional means. It was like finding a cheat in a computer game that gives you an advantage that the programmers never intended.
It cheapens the game in my humble opinion and in the long run, I don't think it's very good for Stoke either. If you play with the intention of trying to get throw-ins as your main goal threat, you won't be as confident playing football as it is intended and if the long throws don't work, there'll be nothing left in the armoury. Ultimately, this just erodes confidence in the players ability to play football and improve - when all else fails, try and get a throw in. Stoke could be a much better team if they tried to play football - the throws work sometimes but over the course of a season, I think they are a hindrance. My guess is that they'd get more points without it by being a better team rather than relying on aerial hope.
Anti-football but there's nothing against it in the rules.
Would be interested what Stoke fans really think about their throw-in strategy - I mean, it's not a tactic, the team is really geared around it.
"We were tactically naive yesterday. Who would have thought Stoke would come out all guns blazing?"
Exactly. Shame that.
"I swear that at times, Stoke players aim to get a throw-in within throwing distance of the penalty area rather than get the ball there by traditional means."
Since when is a throw in to get the ball in penalty area not traditional? It has been done ever since the game was invented. I agree with Sval however, I'd prefer Palacios on midfield more often than Delap, but surprisingly the tactics still work often enough even against the top clubs.
p.s. I looked forward to see Rafael van der Vaart play, he was a great disappointment for me yesterday. Came nowhere near causing anything.
I definately get the feeling that the Stoke wingers get up the pitch then just kick it against the defender - who has to block to prevent the cross - and get the throw in.
My first thought would be, what about just letting those crosses come in, at least some of the time. But then we'd all criticise that player for not 'doing his job'.
Watching Stoke makes me sad. What really makes me sad is that they actually have some good players with skill and pace. What makes me really really sad is that so many Stoke fans seem ok with it. I mean, it's one thing to defend your team, but they seem to actually like it. They must get the worst value for their ticket money in the league, in terms of ball-in-play.
That's exactly what I meant MrSpang.
Maybe the Stoke fans have got addicted to the football equivalent of crack/cocaine!
It feels great when the score but they realise it's bad for them but they still want more cos it might get them a win. Ever decreasing spiral.
To all Spurs players : Leave your dismal "first half " playing ways at home. This is not the first time you have done this. I hope this is the last & time you play consistently during both sessions
Much as we think Gomes is finished at the Lane, he would always come and punch away the long throw-ins from this one dimensional Stoke team. Remember, we won there the last couple of seasons. Never mind, onwards and upwards. We play great football which is a joy to watch.
As for the inept Foy and his linesman, only one frequently used four letter word best describes them. It starts with a C!
Great article. As you say spooky "this was coming".
It's past. Take the positives out of it. The "this was coming" ain't "coming" any more. The second half fight back etc., etc.... onwards (not upwards, not downwards).
"They must get the worst value for their ticket money in the league, in terms of ball-in-play."
Dear Mr. Sprang, it's not about ball in play, it's about winning. When you have spent 23 years in the lower divisions waiting for your chance at the big boys - you take it . Our style of football maybe er, not for the purist, but frankly if we all wanted to be Arsenal or Barca then it would be pretty boring wouldn't it.
As a long term season ticket holder I enjoy what i see at the Brit - opposition teams quivering at being a a ground where local people follow a local side with passion. How that's achieved, well that's not up to me, but I would rather see a game like yesterday's than watch tippy tappy football anytime. Ball in play yep, ball in goal better.
On another day, we'd have beaten you. Sigh. That's football.
Like I said, you play the way you play for a reason. It's effective.
A few things if I can.....
Stoke bossed that 1st half from start to finish. We were by far the better team but at the interval, Harry "I love TV" Redknapp actually did his job. He tinkered the line-up and got Spurs back into the game. As much as Stoke dominated the 1st half, Spurs dominated the 2nd and were unlucky not to get a point.
Stoke singing 'we'll play how we want' and 'swing low sweet chariot' was a direct repsponse to spurs singing 'we only play football'. How conceited is that? Reminded me of your best buds Arsenal! Take a look at yourselves for that!
Foy failed to spot a blatant handball (it was going to the corner flag) and foul by Stoke players in the penalty area. He also gave you a very soft penalty. You probably dont agree with that but Peter Reid stated on Sky that Modric dived and I think he was right. He could have easily danced around Whelan who went to tackle him but pulled his foot away. As mentioned earlier, its quite ironic that Foy gifted you your win against us last season. Perhaps he was making up for it :)
Shotton was wearing a cut vest under his shirt to dry the ball with. Whats the problem with that? It actually speeds the game up as we dont have to wait for the towel! A throw for us (with the distance, our positioning and the understanding of the players) is as accurate as most free kicks. Nobody complains when 3 or 4 players line up a wall or set their sights on goal? It takes just as long to take a kick as it does a throw.
The pitch size for league games has not changed since we have been in the prem. It only changed for Europa this season as it does not meet the minimum size for that competition. Most stokies think that as we play with 2 wingers, it should stay wide but thats another story.
Good luck for the season and stop being so precious. It was a good game that would have been better if we werent talking about the ref.
P.s.
Would you really rather be in the championship with Wet Sham? :)
Spooky facing a 'Stoke like onslaught' from the faithful.
Foy and his team after the Luka pen were a shambles. Too often we see the ref try to even things up during a match, the Ade offside made me throw a pint at my cousin, FURY. Missed the handball on the line, not blaming Foy for that one as it took me three replays and eventually slow motion to see that, granted he had a different angle etc etc...
Rather drop some points now and be riled up for a riled up Sunderland. Well done Stoke, anti football FTW. COYS
Disagree with comment on Luka - he was clearly tripped in the penalty area and a penalty was the correct call.
One other comment - our one goal came from the penalty earned when Modric dribbled into the box. I was crying out for us to stop crossing the ball in the air when we could not get heads on the ball with Stoke's tall defenders filling the area. Particularly with a small pitch, we should have been attacking through the center, keeping the ball on the ground and throwing ourselves at the eleven man Stoke defence.
re the handball, and Mr. Maggs' comment above....I saw it immediately, no problem on my TV set , and screamed handball! so loud our cat scuttled out of the room.:) In fact I thought there were two handballs on the line, but one was really blatant.
Stoke played to their abilities and to the resources that they have - moaning that they were "hard" is pathetic. What is pathetic is that once again Harry failed to pick a side prepared for the physical battle that started from the kick -off and was absolutely predictable . When you are away to teams like Stoke you have to sacrifce some of the fancy -dan flair stuff and match the opponents ,tackle for tackle, in midfield - once you have nullified their Managers instructions to his team to"go out and bully them"- then your class begins to tell - and you are not 2-0 down before you start .
"Saw this game on tv in Amsterdam. Used to bad ref decisions, kicked Ajax out of Champ. league. Frustrating, I understand. But one thing: stoke played their best football of the season in first 30 min. It was not ugly, they won everything on midfield and played the ball around in high tempo, Etherington was the best on the field, showed good skills. Wilson played good football. To characterize them als ugly etc etc is not the whole truth. Resist this temptation for once please"
The only thing I would add is that we started the second half in a similar vein and although spurs were the better team we had plenty of oportunities and put in a decent performance.
The arrogant pronouncements of Spurs fans is starting to sound like the typical whingeing we are more used to hearing from Arsenhole Fans.
One of you complains that we purposefully try to get a throw in by having a winger kick the ball against the defender. WTF!!! He's trying to cross a live ball into the box FFS!!! That is always going to be preferable to a long throw you thick idiot! Dead ball situations can be dangerous but obviously a cross into the box with players running in will always be first choice, if the defender blocks it, oh well, we'll have to try a long throw.
'I would rather see a game like yesterday's than watch tippy tappy football anytime. Ball in play yep, ball in goal better.'
I feel sorry for you. Really, I do. There's this English superiority/ smugness in some fans and some of the media about 'tippy tappy football'. Its brilliant to watch, thats the truth.
When inter won the champions league with jose mourinho, remember that?
Not really, no one gives a shit, its forgotten
When Barca win the champions league? It captures the imagination.
'tippy-tappy' as it is derisively called makes football a great spectacle
1. If the 4th official is empowered sufficiently to hand out bookings on behalf of Referee Foy, then is it not time for the same individual to review contentious decisions/moments, allowing over-ride on such blatant mistakes?
2. I was delighted & calmed by HR's comments post-match, and feel that the FA should insist that the referees present their take on the issue, in the aftermath discussions/interviews - perhaps that would ensure a slightly fairer presence on the pitch?
3. Whilst I hear all the northern comments ("local people following a local side with passion"? Give me strength!) about the way the game is played, has that not always been the case? Let them play 'clogging football', and allow us to play the beautiful game. This counts as a massive victory in their season, and is really the fly on the arse of our season, allowed to settle by the laziness of our tail (in the 1st half). Let them have their moment in the spotlight.
Discuss.
COYS - from a local bloke, as passionate as ever, from a distance.
Foy is back in action this weekend with the Bolton game.
He's also the 4th official in the Spurs/Chelsea match - with Webb officiating.
"and allow us to play the beautiful game."
Surely you are allowed. There wasn't any evidence of this yesterday however. Spurs' display in the second half was similar to Stoke's in the first. Finesse is not the word that came into my mind watching this game. You can't make any claim to 'the beautiful game unless you show it on the pitch. Looking for different solutions if your first options don't work. Make sure creative players actually create things (e.g. chances, decisive passes, etc.) in dangerous areas. Moreover, your beautiful game-playing-team should not let rudimentary style northern opponents to create so much danger and goals from simple set pieces, time and time again.
One thing about you Spurs supporters: you seem too self critical.
" This counts as a massive victory in their season"
Spurs: title contenders, right? For Stoke supporters this victory is no sweeter than the success in Europe, the second half against ManU, the battering of Bolton in FA-cup semi or the win against Liverpool. It's about playing to your strength with passion and all.
cheers
cheers.
We are Stoke and we play how we want.......we love our team and we love how they play stuff the rest we are STOKE
" This counts as a massive victory in their season,"
P.S.: TP will claim this victory accounts to nothing if they would loose against Wolves next week. He may be conservative, he is a professional
Nothing pisses you off more than being called out for something you know deep down you are guilty of :)
Stoke is Stoke is Stoke. I've seen that movie before.
Foy made some ludicrous calls and yes, thanks Stoke fans for reminding us, that he did make a ridiculous call in our favor last year. That's football, innit?
Went against us yesterday but I'm already over it and moving on to the next match as I suppose the lads are.
Annoying as it is, losing to Stoke in this manner probably evens it up with the game against fulham where we really pushed our luck. A draw in each game would have been the fairest result so all in all we're a point better off
To be really picky,Shotton steps on the line on both throw-ins leading up to the goals ;)
The shocking refereeing performance would have been irrelevant if Harry had put the right side out. This game was made for Sandro.his height and strength would have helped enormously especially during the template Stoke City first half airball blitzkrieg. We should have played him alongside Parker in front of the back 4, with Modric orchestrating in front of them, Bale left &Lennon swapping flanks & big Ade up front. Parker has been sensational (this game apart) but I fear we lose what could be a long term central midfield fixture if harry doesn't start getting him game time. Maybe this was the wake up call we needed though.Harry please learn to rotate.
When Barca win the champions league? It captures the imagination.
'tippy-tappy' as it is derisively called makes football a great spectacle
give it a rest JJ ... its mindbendingly tedious. I just can't watch that sort of stuff - European champions they may be but YAWN. Where's the paint?
Interestingly some pundit this morning pointed out that Stoke and Barca aren't that different. Caught my attention. Both sides have players that press the ball, chase like their lives depend on it. Difference Stoke lose possession or worse aimlessly give it away - Barca hold the ball.
I wonder what the difference is? Messi, Xavi et al. Given we have Delap Crouch et al I don't think we do that badly .. we don't have Spurs funds, history, current players .. but we try.
Why is it that every team who comes to the brit and loses has the need to slag us off - yes i agree foy was awful and we got away with it - but suddenly spurs feel the need to comment on our style of play - if we had the budget you had then yes we would play more football but fact is we havent so we have to use what we have got.
If we are that bad then why couldnt you beat us
Come on spurs dont become another Arsenal moaning and Groaning or is it a north london thing?
We played badly first half. We did play silly football. The goals were soft and shouldn't of happened. We did not play like Tottenham. Give them the respect, they were definitely the better team, Stoke. They did attack and our defense did not live up to our standard. Unfortunately, Gallas looked as though he was not match-fit. Kaboul made some hasty decisions. But there were moments in the first half where goal-line technology would've been handy. Stoke's first goal.
Second half though, we did come out and fight. You can never just say 'they cheated', 'its all the ref's fault'. We didn't play 'Tottenham Hotspur Football'.
We've always commented on the way you play Davy. It's not the most attractive of styles. Personally, I've (in the past) stood up for you lot. But what you said is what I alluded to. Doesn't mean we can't shake our heads despondently. Its the frustration of not being able to beat you (on the night). Rather than stamping our feet and crying 'it's not fair' and 'how dare you' its more 'Christ Spurs, how did you let that happen?'
It's a bit different from the complaints made by them lot down the road.
The PGMO have backed Foy by allowing him to officiate at the Fulham game this Saturday. This is a Multi-Billion pound global franchise being let down by incompetence from the referees and the body which is supposed to ensure proper standards. I would not let Foy officiate in the Premier League or the Championship after this pathetic display. The FA won`t take any action because PGMO are responsible for officials even though they are the ones bringing the game into disrepute.
If we lost because Harry picked the wrong team did we win all those games because Harry picked the right team?
Anyway, the advantage of competing in the EPL rather than just being a cup team is that each game has equal value. We are capable of beating anyone this season. Even City, saw them tonight, utter shite, Spurs have been the best team this season, if we can keep clear of injuries and keep Ade fit we look good to have our best ever EPL season.
Stoke? Good luck to them. In fact I prefer them to watching cfc/city tonight and all those niggly professional fouls but not fouls that both sides do repeatedly. By the sound of the Brit the fans probably go there for a party as much as for the game. Used to be like that at the lane too.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/12122011/58/premier-league-hoy-fumes-fans-twitter-abuse.html
Thick Spuds......
That would be thick human beings that happen to support Spurs. If you followed what transpired on twitter one or two other idiots from other clubs also mis-spelt the refs name.
But hey, damn you to hell and stuff. I aint gonna be able to sleep tonight what with you sharing that link.