Following my criticism of Danny Higginbotham last week for his poor ball distribution -- the 30-yard punts upfield in the general direction of a Stoke player that invariably end up with the opposition -- I was delighted yesterday to see him playing short passes that found their man. And of course, he laid on the cross that resulted in Lawrence's goal.
A much better performance from him. Keep it up.
Delap's throws were ineffective. Like The Times said, he was like a fast bowler who has bowled too many overs and lost his line and length. And a "shock" tactic is only a shock if it used sparingly.
Still don't like to see front-runners being pulled off to protect a lead. With Beattie and Etherington off the field, it was virtually one-way traffic towards the Stoke goal.
I feared the curse of Cresswell was going to strike again. Thankfully, it didn't. But a better team than Blackburn might have punished us in the same way that Newcaste did last week.
It will take two more wins from Stoke before I feel comfortable that we are staying the Premier League. But the signs are looking good for another season in the top flight.
But will just aiming to survive be the height of fans' aspirations next season or will they expect more?
Will Pulis's lemons -- and we all know who they are -- be replaced by players of better and proven quality?
