He said: "We didn't lose this game because of the referee, we lost it because we have conceded goals too easily.
"We were far too slow in switching from attacking-thinking to defensive-thinking and we have some work to do. We were too hungry in chasing the game and got caught way out of position.
"I never comment on the performance of referees because they have got a very difficult job and I wouldn't do it myself."
Stoke should have been about 4-0 up before the referee made some frankly in-excusable and discraseful decisions in a very poor 2nd half for the man in black.