Stoke & Foy v Spurs - Report, Ratings & Spurs Player Twitter Reaction

Kaboul tells it like it is

Dissapointing. Stoke harassed us in the first half, didn't let us play and we clearly struggled with the pressure. Before we continue, the ref... Robbed us of a perfectly legitimate goal, denied us a handball on the line, plus numerous other handballs in the area that we should have had penalties for. But... the first half is where we lost it. Stoke outplayed us and the ref was at least impartial during the first 45. In the past 11 games we've had our fair share of opposition fans saying they should have had this from the ref, they should have got luckier here there and everywhere, today was us on the other side of that.

Anyway...

The first goal, Etherington puts Stoke ahead. Just after Shawcross misses a sitter from a Shotton throw-in, a high ball is hit into our penalty area. Crouch controls with his arm and plays a ball through Friedel's legs into the area, Etherington gets to it first. 1-0.

Yet another Shotton long throw comes in, isn't dealt with and the flick on heading to Etherington at the back post once again. Etherington scuffs the ball over the line. 2-0.

Half time comes and we go 5-2-1-2. Wobbly Bassong (who had a reasonable game) on for the wobblier BAE. The ineffectual Lennon off for the equally ineffectual Defoe.

Nethertheless, we took control of the game and Modric was sort of brought down in the box. Ade steps up, put the ball in the net and gives a glimmer. From then on out, Chris Foy was earning his Stoke money. Incorrectly disallowed goal, handball on the line from Shawcross and as I've already mentioned at least two or three occasions where Stoke players forgot they were playing football instead of Rugby and handled in the area.

Player Ratings
Friedel 6 - Made two or three top saves in the second half. But he was Gomes-esq for the throwins. Take control, come get the ball or slap your defenders in to doing their job.
Walker 6 - Again, done a few times in defence and had no joy down the right in attack.
Gallas 6 - Struggled with Crouch big time. He should have known how to deal with him but was second best on nine out of ten aerial challenges.

Kaboul 5.5 - Harsh first yellow card, but don't argue with the ref. Second yellow card, blatant foul, can't argue with that either. Other than that, much like Gallas, second best to Crouch. Christ. Second best to Crouch.
BAE 5 - Bad game for Benny. Beaten regularly during the first half. Perhaps not as effective going forwards with Lennon and Bale constantly wandering around the place, but rightly subbed at half time.
Lennon 6 - Tried but anonymous. No joy on the wings.
Parker 6 - Shocking game from Parker. Caught in possession multiple times and plenty of miss placed passes. Come on Scott, you're better than that.
Modric 7 - Shocking during the first half. But won us the penalty, and was the taking full control of our attack in the 2nd half.
Bale 6.5 - Stop pissing off to the right. The only dangerous play from him came from his rasping crosses across the edge of the six yard box from the left. Unfortunately our strikers aren't quite as quick as Bale and most of his crosses were dangerous, but missed.
VDV 5 - Was he even on the pitch?
Ade 6 - Offside too much again, missed a few brilliant chances but was unfortunate to have his goal wrongly ruled off for offside.

Subs
Bassong 6 - Had one of his better games for us this season.
Defoe 6 - Had a few shots, but nothing of note.
Dos Santos 3 - Mexico - Brilliant. Spurs - Anonymous.

Spurs Player Twitter Reaction
RyanFredericks_ - F**king throw ins!
tom_carroll92 - Ref had a Tony Blair... (slang for mare, which is slang for a complete shocker)
Sheyiadebayor - Very disappointed with the result. We will bounce back quickly. Its in our own hands to put it right.
kyle28walker - Disappointed about the result was unlucky not to get anything out of it thanks to everyone who came great support as normal #wewilbouncebk
IAmJermainDefoe - Disappointed with result but have to look forward to next game great away support like always #COYS
andros_townsend - Brave fightback in the second half from the boys today! Deserved at LEAST a point in the end!! #coys

Fair play to Stoke, they knew how to deal with us and deal with us they did. Foy can expect to be in the conference next weekend and Sunderland can be expected to be battered. COYS.

On another note. The last four league games between Spurs and Stoke at the Chris Foy arena have all seen the winner score first, ended 2-1 and contained a red card. Remember that for next year's bet slips.

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