DISQUS

Check the date, it's not today's.

Those matches are from the games on October 22nd.

Fabian Nova,

I'm a bit lost about what you are asking about. Are you referring to 'best XI' type teams?

Sorry, I didn't see Cahill's challenge as Serious Foul Play or Violent Conduct, and I stand by that.

As for Rob Styles penalty decision...it is Rob Styles after all. I'm pretty much numb to the decisions he makes. I don't expect him to be getting any top flight games for a couple of weeks unless it is as the fourth official after Saturday though.

As far as I'm concerned, Torres two goals were overshadowed by the stupid rediculous way Riley called the entire 90 minutes. You can look at the 3 minutes of brilliance of Torres as your overriding storyline, but to me that's not the case.

And if Arbeloa is going to retaliate the way he did because of the way Osman or anyone for that matter marks him, then maybe the Premier League is not the league for him.

As for Cahill, he was sent off for the tackle, not what he did after it. As for the tackle itself, the studs did not connect with Alonso. Alonso yes was a sitting duck, but a clumsy tackle does not make it a red card challenge.

And to say Cahill disrespected ala Ashley Cole...please tell me you're joking. When at all did Cahill start getting into the referee's face and pointing to the back of his shirt? That's right he didn't. You can read above to see how I think the situation should have played out.

To be perfectly honest with you, my read on Moyes's reaction was 'here we go again'.

And continuing to ignore the referee is not a straight red card offense. Straight from the FIFA Rulebook for reason to be a red card, 'uses offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures'.

I'll say it again, if Riley wanted to send Cahill off, he should have shown a yellow for the tackle and then a yellow for dissent.

As for Torres being denied a perfectly okay goal...thank Riley for that one. I couldn't tell you what he blew his whistle for. I am convinced he just loves to hear that thing.

If that was the case, what Riley should have done is shown a yellow for the tackle and then flash the yellow again for dissent before showing the red.

If he did let his anger get in the way of a decision, all the more reason for him to be taken to task.

Thank you for your opinion.

So Patrick, I ask you again...why do you continue to come to this site if this site has been 'crap for some time'.

I'll say it again, thank you for your readership and continued readership.

I have to admit, when I read comments like this last once Patrick, it makes me ask a simple question...why continue to come back?

The last time I checked you could go to any blog you wanted to, yet you continue to come back?

So to that I say thank you for your readership and your continued readership.

Richard, you don't know me very well.

France and Italy deserve to be thrashed for their pitiful performances as well.

Quite frankly I could give a toss either way with England. The way I saw it, they were pathetic. With the number of chances England had, they should have won AT LEAST 3-0 MOST LIKELY 4-0.

Sorry Kartik you couldn't be further from the truth.

Tactics, England abandoned tactics for sixty-five minutes of this game and went back to the tried and failed long ball. Team mentality, I sure didn't see one. For the entire first half, they looked more disjointed than they ever did under McClaren.

This was a win yes, but a good one no. Croatia looked very good against Kazakhstan (who mind you, got three against Andorra) and I expect them to look the same against England. I will be very stunned if England get any result against Croatia, I thought England looked that bad.

Are Andorra pushovers, once you get a goal against them yes. They have little to no attacking sense and would rather sit everyone back and hope for the best.

However as Joe Cole said to Setanta Sports, it's all about Wednesday. They better perform a hell of a lot better than they did today.

Sorry matches overseas won't happen. Let the Premier League try it and I could very well see FIFA tell the English FA that the first game played overseas sees them lose their first division status, the England National Team is banned from UEFA and FIFA based competitions, and that any player in the Premier League is banned from from any FIFA based competition.

Overseas players will move to continue and play for their country and things will return to normal in a short amount of time.

starling hater, if it will make your life to know who I support, it's Chelsea. And before you go off on your horse about 'eh just typical big four jibberish', ask anyone who has followed this blog from day one too tell you who I'm harder on than anyone and if they have any sense that answer would be Chelsea.

West Bromwich Albion deserve to be nailed right now as their attack could be the most inept in the Premier League right now (besides Arsenal's which always seems to be the case).

I've always liked a player who can take a long throw and be accurate with it as I think it's more effective than any corner kick can be. When you are dealing with angles, being direct can be a team's best friend with a long throw. Everytime Rory threw one into the penalty area last Saturday, at least a half chance came from it.

In a way I do hope Stoke City stay up if only to make Paddy Power eat their words about paying out on relegation after week one...just like I'm still secretly hoping for a brokered Democratic National Convention and Hilary Clinton somehow taking the crown after Paddy Power started paying out on Obama winning the nomination back after the Iowa Caucus in January.

I think we've taken this conversation about as far as we can on here. If you would like to continue this conversation, please do not hesitate to email me at jstarling@csrnusa.com

All the best!

starling hater, again I ask a simple question...where do I say that Stoke City weren't allowed to score against Aston Villa.

And by the way, I am not an Aston Villa fan. You're about the only one here with sour grapes.

All the best!

Can't argue with you there Raatzie.

Raatzie, where do you get your reply out of the blog Gaffer wrote?

JLay, I'm surprised you forgot who I support. I know we haven't talked in ages, but I'm a little shocked...okay not really.

They don't bug me, this is more amount to swating away flies than anything else. Their calling out tic for my calling back out tac...pity they don't seem to have the answers when I start asking the questions.

Starling Hater,

I'm going to ask you a simple question...where do I say Stoke City have no right to be in the Premier League?

If truth be told, I've probably watched the three promoted sides the closest in the first two weeks, and of the three, Hull City in my mind are the only ones that look like they have a prayer of staying up in the Premier League.

Starling Hater, maybe you can beat JT to the punch and explain what was crap about this piece? If you want to mention not mentioning Fuller's goal...sorry it wasn't the game changing goal, the late game winner was.

Now will I discuss Fuller's goal on my show this week, yes I will.

And yes northstokie, I'm still waiting for your reply. You guys sure as hell love it when you call us out but you sure as hell hate it more when we call you right back out. I anxiously await your replies.

northstokie,

Please tell me where I make any reference to 'unfashionable stoke'? I'm still looking for said reference?

Yes Fuller's goal was well taken. And if you actually read, I felt he should have played the ninety. He shouldn't have been subbed off.

Yes when it's all said and done you got three points. However you're treating this win like you've already guaranteed Premier League survival. A bit premature don't you think?

JT,

Diluted, hardly. Stoke City get their due in the piece and were worthy winners. Maybe it's your axe to grind about me spending time talking about how bad Aston Villa were that you failed to see it.

And please, tell me what you think is crap, because it sure as hell was the Aston Villa performance.

Sorry, but I don't take credence in winning one game after playing so horrifically the week before. When it's all said and done they will probably be relegation fodder.

This game in a way mirrored Hull City from last week. The promoted side had their fun at home in front of their supporters but are still going to have it all to do over the long haul.

I agree with you Chris and I would also have to say with last week as well, Stoke City probably had the noisiest ground of all the games I watched yesterday.

And all you had to do was watch the game online, just like I will be when I get home.

And let's be thankful we even got the Olympic Soccer event on TV at any level. I was honestly expecting only the US games to be broadcast and the rest to be left for viewing online.

There are some battles that just aren't worth it. This to me is one of them.