ALB 7 : had the square root of fook all to do but gethered everything with supreme confidence

Sweeney 7 : Looked comfortable and capable until his injury.

Collins 8 : Excellent. Couple of ropey minutes in the first half but won everything in the second and looked comfortable. Keep it up and you're a huge asset.

Nelson 10 : Virtually faultless. Won every header against a tall Stoke attack and also dominated on the ground. MOM even without his goal. Simply superb.

Humphreys 8 : Couple of misplaced passes in the first half, but in the second showed a lot of intelligence and experience to retain the ball and push Stoke back down their right.

Jones 8 : Out of position again but showed his worth with non-stop running and when in possession, a lot of guile and ability. Not fancy but very effective. Major influence for us all season.

Liddle 8 : One of his better games by a street. Combative and strong, and won his fair share of headers. Much improved, and long may it continue.

Clark 9 : :Looked absolutely in his element. Scapped well alongside liddle, but showed some lovely classy touches to retain the ball and also get us going fporward. Excellent performance.

Robson 8 : Very lively, but almost ran himself into the ground. Always positive, but also growing in confidence enough for the little touches and simple return passes. Very good.

Mackay 7 : ought right int o Pools plan in terms of closing down and hassling them, but took itslightly too far with the tackle that got him injured. Looked keen as mustard and has a huge part to play for us this season.

Porter 9 : Quiet early on, but came into his own when he was stretching their back four towards the end. Superb intelligent play that was ultimately one of the deciding factors in the win, because every time he got the ball he hurt them. Superb Joel.

SUBS

McCunnie 7 : Did very well. Never let us down and defended very well after Sweens went off.

Foley 9 : After all the stick he's got I'm delighted he put in a shift like that. Looked confident on the ball and showed his ability. Great great goal that will be played to death on the telly and hopefully kick start his season. Showed some lovely great touches and looked positive like Robson with the ball to his feet.

VERDICT

Didn't see last week's debacle, so for me this was a continuation of the Southnd game. Turner and Butterworth vocal all game and non-stop encouraging visibly lifted the players. Superb from back to fromt and a thoroughly deserved win against a big physical Stoke side. My head is still banging from shouting so much, and I loved every minute of it. Bring that spirit into the league and we are safe as houses. WELL DONE LADS!!

What about his two point blank saves?!

At the bar or on the khazi were you?

yep, one of the two mick

big game on the rec for us 2moro if you fancy it

Jess stayed up for your ratings as your random phone call woke her up, whats all that about!?!?