Some Stoke fans don't like him, hmmm, I was wondering why this should be so, then I read a post on the Oatcake about Plan B: Adopt his away tactics at HOME!!! That will confuse em Tone! Well done. Anybody suffering a happy Christmas afterglow, will have been rudely awakened after watching that excuse for a football match! It was bad enough on TV, god knows what it was like - was going to say live!! But you know what I mean. Hey ho
Merry Christmas Old Nicky Mate! I'm afraid to say it was just as dire watching it live. Pulis has utter contempt for the fans as he really does not give a flying fig about them or even cares whether we are entertained or not. In his words it's all about the best for the Football club and if that means a boring drawn out one point against a side weakened from injuries and missing keys players then it was a good nights work as far as he is concerned. Yet again I watched him run on and walk off and never once did he raise his head or applaud the fans that had given up their Christmas breaks to make it out on a cold wintry night at 8pm on a boxing day. McLeish slowly walked off applauding his faithful but not TP. After reading that article yesterday and how he said at the end he never wanted to come back to Stoke it really did make me wonder. Pulis is here because it's a job and he gets that job done no matter what rubbish he turns out so long as he keeps us in the prem. Every season other clubs are talking about going for trophies etc. whilst we read Pulis saying if we can just get to that magic points level then we will see if we can push on from there. I'd still like to see a manager with some bottle be at Stoke especially with the backing of Peter Coates and his cheque book as I feel a better job could be being done with the players we now have. I actually think we are going to struggle against Wigan on New years Eve as they will see this as a winnable game. Jones up front as to change as he is totally useless and I think he should mend the bridges with Pennant as we are defo missing his flare. He is currently playing like a player that knows he is off in January. Midfield last night was no where to be seen again and Palicios off for Delap was hardly a game changing decision. We were at home they were lacking fire power why not have bough on Jerome and had 3 up front and gone for it. Those type of decisions are too bold for Pulis but they are the ones that Mourinho used to make and that's what separates Pulis a negative robot from a proper quality premier league manager!
I have not seen highlights and I did not listen but I was watching the 'text' commentary on the BBC website. It was described as boring and the worst game of football seen for a long time. What annoys me is that TP said he expected a tough game, that Villa had the players but nevertheless we are delighted to be in the position we are in and it's great for this football club. Last Wednesday he stated that Man City had the money and the star players and that we are slowly progressing. Why can't he be more positive instead of just accepting poor performances when they occur. He picks the team and decides the tactics so why can't he be more adventurous, especially at home. He seems to show a bit too much respect to the opposition at times.
It was the worst game of football I have seen at Stoke since the binary season of 04/05. There was zero quality on show from both sides. We just hoofed the ball while they just passed it sidewards. I gave up my Boxing Day to see that ****e.
And the same to you Waddo. A great post if I may say so, it really does sum up both the situation and Pulis's (lack of) character. Every manager EXCEPT Pulis applauds his own fans home and away. I have 'vowed' on here, never to indulge myself at his expense again, I will reiterate what I said mid last season, "no matter where we end up, I do not want Pulis to be manager of Stoke" Nothing has changed, so at least we have both been consistant!! You raised the salient point again - Pulis has spent some £100 million - for THAT performance!!!! And as you rightly say - another half decent manager would have achieved at least as much as Pulis - with SOME entertainment value! David Moyes?? - just imagine? As for Wigan - saw the against Chelsea All the best for 2012 Waddo
Waddo See you comments I echo those... Two words to describe that game and i was there too.. BLOODY terrible ... The WORST TEAM performance I have EVER seen by a Stoke side. We made Villa look good which, they are not.
I have to say being there it was poor. Villa were much more up for it and were the better side. Why we did not start with Pennant I do not know. Why does Jones not get close to the other striker!? Having managed to drive up for it, it was most disappointing fare. The most exciting thing wa sthe drive home!! However saying that we GOT A POIINT. For be grateful for small mercies!!
Oops - a great 2011 to ALL Stokies!!! Here's my version on the Everton rumour mill - How much to test the (undoubted) loyalty of; DAVID MOYES???
In answer to your question tkp. It is because Pulis is blooding Shotton as a replacement for Pennant when he unloads him in January. Pennant is the new Kitson, Beattie, Tuncay. Watch this space he will be at Everton this time next month!
Waddo I am well aware that Pennant went AWOL before Everton and before Spurs he drove away from the ground when he found out he was not in the squad! TP and he have fallen out but IMHO there are two sides to everything. If he can understand Fuller and his stupidity in the past why not others.and their views. He has to manage different characters. I think Pennant will be on the way out in January. But why not Shotton at Right Back to start. Let's make the most of what we have at the moment. Cheers and Happy New Year!
