Today's goals...

[Pricey]

I wasn't at the match but I'm home the next two weeks to go to Wigan and Crewe, and what I've just seen on Sky Sports News hasn't exactly filled me with joy at the prospect.

The goals:

1. Andy Johnson- I missed this one but by the looks of it there wasn't really anyone at fault. But we shouldn't be conceding this early on in games.

2. John Eustace- Well-worked free kick and a cracking low drive.

3. Andy Johnson- Definately not a penalty. Massive dive by the Palace player although there may have been minimal contact.

4. Andy Johnson- This one was a penalty. Paul Williams just barged into Johnson and knocked him to the ground. The man is a first class donkey and we should be using Gareth Owen or John Halls alongside Tomo if we can't bring anyone in and Clint Hill remains injured. There was nothing De Goey could do about either penalty by the way.

5. Clive Clarke- Again, a good goal. Nice little run and well-directed shot.

6. Michael Hughes- Both Williams and Clarke at fault as they let Hughes run through them about 10 yards from goal. Either they were 100% sure De Goey would produce a fine save or it was a piece of stunningly poor defending.

7. Neil Shipperly- Easy goal at the back post with Williams shown to be not only clumsy and fat, but also lacking strength and leaping ability.

8. Carl Asaba- Also a penalty, although less of one than Palace's 2nd I reckon. Clumsy nevertheless from the Palace player and well slotted away by Asaba.

9. Wayne Routledge- Fine turn, run and shot.

6-3...much of the Styles bashing seems to have been over the top as he may have had a difficult angle for the first penalty (I'd have to see it again) and Paul Williams was massively at fault for the 2nd one. I'm not saying he's not a shit ref, just our fans seem to have automatically assumed that he has some kind of 'thing' about us.

All in all, bloody crap (by the sounds of it) from Stoke bar two fine 25 yard efforts by Eustace and Clarke, and what seems to have been a decent 2nd half performance from Commons.

Wigan next, and the result, score and Stoke performance is anyone's guess! ???

[adesgonnagetyer]

I think you could be being a touch harsh Pricey.

I wasn't there either, but I've spoken to someone who was, and he said it was certainly no disgrace today.We seem to have played with a bit of spirit, and 6-3 seems to have flattered them - although they definitely deserved their victory.

We were up against a team who were flying, and oozing confidence.

Pulis wasn't particualarly scathing in his post-match interview, so maybe it was just one of those days?.

Unfortunately, Wigan will be really tough, too.....and a second defeat in 4 days could hit the confidence hard?.

[Pricey]

OK then.

I'll just put it down as a 'mid-table team who will have some funny results in a season' result then....;D

Edit- Finchy, who are you on rivals?

[mattface]

The fourth goal was the clincher. no one dared tackle him for fear of giving away another frre kick/penalty so hughes was allowed to breeze through. The game was all about two poor defences its just palace have a striker whose grabbed 24 goals so far this season, and we don't. still onto wigan and a return to winning ways

[Admin]

Having just seen the goals on TV for the first time it is clear that the first penalty is a joke decision and that the second was justified.

However, and it's a big 'however', we were denied a clear penalty early in the second half. Bal came acxross the Palace area and the centre half DEFINITELY bought it under control with his hand. It was as clear as day, all the Stoke players near to the incident appealed vociferously and so did the fans. Styles had a perfect view of it and wave dplay on.

We were hard done by with some key decisions but I take my hat off to Palace - they played really well amd deserved the win. 6-3 is flattering though and while we have defensive issues which need to be resolved quickly we were nowhere near as bad as the scoreline might suggest to some!

Smudge

[dealstokie]

I dont think we deserved to lose 6-3, even when 5-2 down we were still trying our hearts out, it wasnt one of those games where we gave up, ie forest last year.

And dont forget we scored 3 goals away from home and SHOULD of had another penalty

If think the lads did well and most people who were there will be saying the same ( I hope).