In my opinion, right from the off Rafa picked a team not to lose a goal and he knew Stoke were going to defend from the front. My reading was, if we nick a goal, we'll defend and walk away with at worst a 1-0, or soak up their pressure, as they get knackered bring on the speed of Torres and Babel. Basically, it was a cup competition team he picked yesterday. I don't think it would have been a bad thing had they scored (when they hit the bar) it would have forced Rafa's hand earlier and I think we'd have beaten them, as we upped our game. It almost came off as Gerrard hit the bar and post.