Now that I've had some time to think about it

I'm really disappointed with the result. Not the performance, that was fine: I txted my brother after about half an hour, saying "we belong". Last week, I wasn't sure that we do, but we certainly do. The only player who didn't completely look the part today was Leon, who has looked cumbersome in two games now and seems to lose concentration - but that apart, even he did OK. Maybe Tierney too, though that'd be hugely harsh on him - two decent displays so far, and I'm beginning to love him a bit.

We haven't really looked a potent goal threat over the two games, but that'll come soon enough with the increasing belief - unless we begin a nasty losing streak. But we're coping at the back, which is why it's doubly gutting that Prem Refs, the officials in the Best League in the Etc, keep giving bad pens against us. As someone said lower down, these things DON'T even out over a season - they used to, a long time ago, before Cash for League Positions, but not any more.

Having said that, maybe it could be argued that the refs *could* have given pens against Cafu last week and Naughton (ball to hand) today, but that'd be stretching things IMHO.

Talking of Naughton's possible ball-to-hand, today: fair play to Stoke for making little of it. I imagine that Man U players might've actually needed oxygen after the fits they might have thrown. *Will* throw, when we play them. Not a vile club at all, Stoke.

Ah well. Still undefeated, and we bossed Stoke for long periods today.

Posted By: Sugbad The Bad, Aug 21, 17:53:28