Newman Noggs
Well-Known Member
Football-wise we're on a different planet but, same as when we play Stoke, I always worry about park-the-bus-and hoof-it teams.
When teams rely on physicality, a lot of their success depends on how the referee clamps down on fouling at the outset of the game when they are, literally, putting their stamp on it. The Premier league has no love for the likes of Stoke, West Brom etc so, generally, refs exercise some measure of control, but the rags are a different kettle of fish (which of their players was the last to be retrospectively banned ?). So I do suspect the worst. I think they'll score.
When teams rely on physicality, a lot of their success depends on how the referee clamps down on fouling at the outset of the game when they are, literally, putting their stamp on it. The Premier league has no love for the likes of Stoke, West Brom etc so, generally, refs exercise some measure of control, but the rags are a different kettle of fish (which of their players was the last to be retrospectively banned ?). So I do suspect the worst. I think they'll score.