Before we get carried away it should be noted that we did not start well but, Koeman has picked up on that. We did not start well against either QPR or Spurs so, despite this overwhelming win, it is something that has to be addressed before we meet the 'elite' clubs in December. Pelle certainly should have scored one more, perhaps two but, after our second goal it would be churlish to criticise anything. Should Forster have been sent off - well, that's difficult to say. Referee Mariner got a lot wrong (especially O'Shea's constant holding down of Pelle which he never penalised) but, I personally think that Fletcher jumped into Forster. Forster had stopped so Mariner was right. For Sunderland only Fletcher and Larsson performed, the rest were hapless. A couple of other points - it was good to see Koeman urge our players on to more goals when we were 6-0 up and, also, Mayuka beating the ground in annoyance after he'd missed a half-chance. I am relieved that our team appears to have got through this game unscathed against what is undoubtedly the dirtiest side in the Premier League. Man of the match - Tadic.

0

Very frustrating all around. Not our day but we do need to capitalise on such dominance and certainly so many clear chances. Surprised to see Rose play though he played very well but feel Hery does bring an energy and imagination which we could have done with second half in particular. Sometimes seem hesitant when chances occur rather than being decisive. Similar with some mistakes at the back though we were good today in that department, you could say Bennet should have cleared decisively. Andrew isn't a Dale player and contributes little in my view to the way we play at our best, in fact he disrupts it.
Understand why the ref was booed as I sat in the main stand and saw him give two throws the wrong way one after the other right in front of me, the second of which led directly to the attack where they scored. Lines man on Wilbutts side also made mistakes, one howler when Hendo was released down the left in dangerous position. Ref let himself down with one or two other odd decisions which then of course get amplified so do understand frustration with him. Can't blame the ref though, should have taken chances!

2

Very frustrating, and we could write it off as "unlucky", however this is not the first time we have struggled to score at home.The problem is that we are relying on midfield players to be strikers and it isn't working.Away from home it is a different story as we can play on the break.
With a half decent striker we could have had six - when will KH accept this and get somebody in?

0

Out of my seat more times than all 3 previous home games. Exciting football,real fight from our team,manager off his arse. But...a sad sad end..went home in shock.

0

Fabulous performance especially compared to recent dross. Whole term worked hard, no obvious weak links, although Phillips disappointed when he came on. Thought Sandro MoM, with Bobby not far behind. Sandro's energy, tackling and commitment terrific to see, best of all when helping out Caulks when caught 1 on 1 against Gerrard. Unsurprisingly, Bobby faded markedly in 2nd half and could have been substituted earlier. Terrific cameo from Vargas and good to see his potential - possibly a threat to Charlie's place. Not totally convinced by Leroy although this was his best match. Seems too easily dispossessed and misplaces too many passes and, of course, missed a sitter. Needs a bit more devil about him. And a word for Karl Henry who has done much better in last few matches than I feared, tackled well, distribution has been good and tracked Liverpool runners.

But Liverpool were poor all over the pitch. Poor old Balotelli had a 'mare.

Key questions are can we repeat against Villa and maintain against Man City? And is Vargas the answer to our goal scoring problems? Mustn't be too down hearted. COYRS!!

0

the feeling at the end was on a par to feeling disembowelled after the Man U game all those years ago which Clive often refers to, when the ref let the game run on for 2 hours until they scored. Hopefully this season won't end up the same way as that one.

0

Exciting game with a kick in the teeth climax.

Things like this happen in football.

Don't be down hearted, hope the players keep the momentum, push on and learn from their mistakes. Some great performances and again we are hampered by significant injuries. Every player gave their all. Liverpool were very poor and we were punished for not taking our chances in the first half.

Derby fans will be rubbing their hands with glee....what goes around, comes around

1

At last Redknapp finally awoke from his slumber, perhaps finally realising his job is on the line, and he has taken Fernandes for a mug long enough! When the manager finally shows that perhaps he does care, the team responded and we saw some rare passion and an exciting game. Was it enough to save him from the sack? No, not in my opinion. His premier league record for us is woeful, 5 wins, 10 draws and 18 defeats. It is a cruel game, but Redknapp bought the players, this is his team, and they are simply just not good enough. Players like Fer and Caulker got in the losing habit last season, Sandro can't last a full game, and striking options are thin on the ground. Surely Redknappp 's time is finally up, he can take his place in the Sky studios, and someone can try and salvage something from this awful mess and get the team organised and playing with some pride on a regular basis.

1

This was never going to be another eight goal thriller (although our friends along the road fulfilled that south coast tradition) but in many ways it was a more satisfying game because it showed that we can break down a very well-organised and athletic team. Notwithstanding there was only one goal in the first half I thought that the Saints were actually playing better than there were against Sunderland in the first half last week, and carried more of a goal threat. We were unlucky not to have been two up by the time the whistle blew for the break and but for a very smart save from their goalkeeper we would have been.

An old habit reared its ugly head for the first part of the second period, with our players not keeping their attention nor playing to their best, but a good decision by the manager to bring on the force of nature that is VW seemed to settle the team and a second goal seemed likely. As the game wore on though the chances of an equaliser loomed large and the nervousness of the crowd seemed to transmit itself to the players. Fortunately, Tadic and Mane continued to keep the Stoke defence on their toes and both looked exhausted by the end.

I won't pretend we weren't all grateful for the full whistle but it never really felt that this was a game we were going to lose. So, to all of you who feel a bit disappointed, the message is that this was in many ways a more impressive result than last week's. Anyone can win against a team that decides to lie down and die. The mark of a really good team working together is one that grinds out a result against a determined and aggressive opponent. For that we must be truly pleased this evening. It won't make the first game on MOTD but hell - who wouldn't trade the indifference of the broadcaster for second in the league!

3

So if last week was a knockout blow this would have been won on points although by a comfortable enough margin. We created a hatful of chances in the first half hitting the bar and the post and forcing some smart saves from Begovic who was by far their best player. However second half Stoke Rugby team became more physical and slowed the game down repeatedly which frustrated us and the game went a bit flat. Pelle didn't have one of his best games and Tadic though excellent and full of tricks for 60 mins looked knackered by the end. Not sure why we only made two subs as he could really have done with a rest especially if he starts on Tuesday. Great support from the fans in particular "you're only here for the weather" to the just over half full away end. Not the most inspiring afternoon of football but an ultimately satisfying one nonetheless.

1