5string

Stop doing their best to even up the red cards. Even the commentators now think it was Martina who got hacked by Arnautovic - it was Boufal, wasn't it?

Our fans?

JWP didn't dive - he fell over but wasn't looking for the pen. Stoke fans unhappy, thinking he did dive. Then Arnautovic sent off for a dreadful 'lunge', as they say. Lots of home booing *****il Martina made a mistake haha). Fired up the crowd. Good time to get a goal, I'd say.

Red card for... Arnautovic? Ooh, shocker! Knee-high, studs up. Gotta go for that.

Martina a bit tentative there - should've gone round the outside

No foul on Long, ok, but definitely a push on Fonte.

This, but Hoj instead of Clasie imo - he's more attack-minded and more creative, which may benefit Long's goalscoring chances. We're strong enough in defence, we don't need another DM. Davis can always 'sit in' if necessary. Possibly even McQueen to start left side (instead of Redmond) - works well with Bertrand.

Didn't they go somewhere last year?

Calendar year (Dec), or season (May)?

Hmm, fair point. Need some rotation with a schedule like that. All the same, fewer changes would be nicer, maybe 2 or 3 at a time. As you also said, a nailed on 1st XI isn't likely with our very own tinkerman.

Glad to get the win today - I was worried 1st half when we weren't showing much ambition. Much better 2nd half, cracking goal from Boufal, worthy matchwinner. I don't think this was our best starting XI: no Cedric, Sims, Hojbjerg (or Austin, obviously); Bertrand, Yoshi unused on the bench; Redmond, Long & Davis didn't start. Overall, we did alright, then. As I've said before, time to reduce the rotation and have a more regular starting XI. Ever hopeful. And... I wish commentators would stop remarking about VvD being linked to every 'top 6' club. He's ours, got a long contract and I hope he stays for a long time.

Off the line from a corner (that shouldn't have been a corner, to be fair).

Is your stream 15 minutes behind? Ah, or maybe ahead of mine?

Boufal did not foul there, and he doesn't need to "calm down", thanks, Mr Commentator. He was the one being pushed ACTUALLY!

It concerns me that we're backing off a bit now.

Never handball. Stomach.

Maybe he's a nun?

A few yellows getting handed out. Boro's Gibson lucky not to get another.

Feel free to repeat this several times during this half

BOUFAL!!!! Bang!

Bible. Book of Job. He showed a lot of patience.

I know . But hope springs eternal...

These 3 are ok on their day, but should be seen as back ups for Cedric, Hojbjerg, Davis. Not bad for back ups, I'd say. Time we stopped the constant rotation and played a more consistent 1st XI, with maybe 2 or 3 changes when needed.

At least there's one positive. Boro won't score with their first shot.

I think we have the players, but they seem to be suppressed or something, like they've been told not to attack too much for fear of exposing the defence.