STOKE BANISH BOXING DAY BLUES

BLACKBURN ROVERS 0 STOKE CITY FC 2

"In 39 years Venky's has gone from a small family business to Asia's largest poultry group." (Lancashire Telegraph).    Can they do for football what they have done for poultry?

New owners  Venky's Revolution at Rovers  seems to have left the locals for the most part unimpressed.Admittedly its early days but you have to wonder whether the turmoil they have created will result in a slide toward the Championship.Not only do the fans seem disenchanted,but also some  leading players.You have to wonder whether a caretaker manager for the rest of the season is a good idea,especially following Sam Allardyce,who would have been expected to guide the club to mid table respectability again.

Two years ago our away fixture was Allardyce's first game as manager,and we never really got a look in losing 3-0.Yesterday was very different indeed,no positive reaction to the new manager,no stiff examination of our resolve,and Stoke eventually emerging comfortable winners.

A largely forgettable first half quickly receded from memory as Stoke took charge of the game,taking the lead in the 51st minute.Matty Etherington -who had missed for him an easy chance from close in in the first half -whipped in a corner,which Huth ,advancing unmarked, met with a powerful header into the net,giving keeper Robinson no chance.

We had to wait until the second minute of added on time for the second goal and clincher.Subs Ricardo Fuller and Marc Wilson combined well.A Fuller ball in from the right picked out Wilson close to goal inside the penalty area.He brought the ball under control,and fired in a low shot just inside the post and to Robinson's right.

The down side....Matty Etherington limping off,and with only two days recovery time,you have to wonder whether we will see him play against Fulham.

A list of records were broken ....

Stoke
       - had previously never won a match in December in the Prem
       - not won on Boxing day for 10 years
       - Wilson scored his first goal in the Prem....

We rise to 8th in the table with a respectable 24 points before the turn of the year.Be really nice if we could bag another 3 against Fulham on Tuesday!Here's hoping.