The fitness thing worries me just as much as the quality. Palcious wasn't used (becasue he wasn't STOKE FIT) and to be fair he didnt really string any decent performances together. Judging by his pre season (and someone quoted an inside source saying there had been no improvment) he doesn't seem any better. My concern is that Pennant doesn't play 90 mins and Ringtone has been fully fit for a good 12 months and it seems a default to play either Shotton or Delap, we need someone who can come in and really challenge for the position - hopefully he can - but take into account no other prem club has sniffed around would indicate that his potential is average at best. When he signs he will get my full support and to be fair to TP I dont have an issue with these type of purchases if thats all we can afford. My issue with TP is based on what he has done in the past and will be well pissed if he fritters 10+ million away on 4 or 5 players who will never be used!
Don't think his fitness will make much difference he'll probably be playing right back if he's a left winger.
Point taken Smither's re Kightley's fitness. BUT according to John Eustace he was fantastic when on loan at Watford... my point being, I'm sure Kightley's fitness isn't anything like the situation with Palacios.. that, does worry me as I was looking forward to seeing him starting every week, IF FIT and he SHOULD BE. And you are right Smither's. It's PULIS who is to blame for that, HE signed him??
As I said earlier, my ex-boss used to rate him, and some Wolves fans I've been speaking to at work think he's great too, as soon as he's fit he's straight in the team, one of them even said he's as good as , maybe better than Jarvis. I haven't seen him play enough to have my own opinion, initially I wasn't impressed, bit after asking about/ browsing the net for info, I've heard some positive stuff.
Pistol, I have heard the same from a Wolves fan at work, he's gutted we have bought him, so he can't be that bad.
http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/kightly-interview-302373.aspx Proud Dad . . . and now a Proud Potter MICHAEL KIGHTLY has described his swift return to the Barclays Premier League with Stoke City as the “perfect move” . . . even though it was a wrench to leave Wolverhampton Wanderers after five years at Molineux. The England Under-21 international winger finalised his transfer to the Potters on Wednesday to continue what has been a memorable three week period in his life after his partner gave birth to a baby daughter last month. Therefore, it’s the start of an exciting new era for City’s latest signing as he faces up to changes on the home and playing front. But he stated: “This is the perfect move for me in every sense because it has allowed me to stay in the Premier League, but it has also meant that I haven’t had to move home. That can only be a good thing in my current circumstances. “Even though I’m originally from down south, I am very settled in Birmingham now and that is particularly important at a time like this with a family to think about. It takes me 35 minutes to get from home to Stoke, which is great. “It’s been a momentous few weeks, what with the birth of my daughter and now this opportunity to make the move here.” However, Kightly admits that he was “gutted” at having to leave Wolves and hopes the club’s supporters will understand his desire to stay in the top-flight of English football now that he has made the switch to the Potters. “I have had so many ups and downs in my career that when an opportunity like this came along, I didn’t want to let it go,” he said. “The supporters at Wolves were unbelievable to me in my time there and I can well imagine that they are disappointed with my decision. “But I hope they would put themselves in my shoes and understand why I have made this decision. It is a short career in football and opportunities like this don’t come along too often, so I felt I just couldn’t turn this one down. “I think I am ready for a new challenge after five years at Molineux and I want to play for as long as I can in the Premier League.” He added: “I am really happy to be joining an established Premier League club; one that is clearly moving in the right direction.”
I'm warming more to this signing and think given the budget restrictions we have is probably one of TP's better decessions. Hope we utilise him in the correct way moving forward.
Smither's I have a gut feeling about this signing.. I HOPE I'm right and personally, I'm well pleased he's finally joined us... Kightly, Ness? at (least) it looks like TP is trying to improve our squad.
We can only improve if the right players are played correctly - lets hope that TP doesn't restort to GROUNDHOG DAY.
