Sat at the game yesterday watching pass after pass and little triangles and flicks with Adam, Nzonzi and Kightly and thought it was just like watching a different side from what we had become used to last season. I thought we played brilliantly and Cameron is a class act too. I thought Wilko and Pennant will struggle to get back into that side to be honest. I was dreading the 70 minute usual subs of taking off attackers to bring on the defensive midfield and then sit the last 20 minutes on the edge of my seat watching us being bombarded, but even that did not happen as it was like for like subs!!!!! Either TP has now grown a pair or he has realised that the best form of defence is actually attack! I can honestly say that the last transfer window was TP's best window to date and to be fair in premier league footballing terms he didn't spend that much money, but brought in quality. Nzonzi looks a giant in midfield and can put his foot on the ball and pick out a pass. Adam we know already is a class act and both these players have goals in them. All we need now is for TP to grow some self belief and we will seriously be a force to be reckoned with now, and to show our progress we were actually only second from last on Match of the day last night Only gripe for me is that I felt with the quality we had on the pitch yesterday Whelan looked totally out of his depth and the only weak link we had on the field. Whitehead as a replacement aslo scares me stiff as I always feel he is going to have a mad rush of blood and give away a dangerous free kick away around our box which leads to a goal like always. If we can replace those 2 over the next window I think I will be a very happy guy! Pulis quote of the day " I wish Peter Crouch was Welsh "
Waddo Morning mucker hope all is well with you mate? I was going to post a thread, you beat me to it Waddo. see my post/link on the Guadian's write up. Pretty fair reflection but it does'nt mention just how well we played. YOU are right, I too was really pleased, first time I've seen Stephe N... what a player that guy is. I also got told of for having a go at Whelan Waddo, I thought he was average at best. Other than that first half was awesome and our midfield was far better than I care to remember. Nice one Tony, are you Guadeola spelling in disguise i.e. Barrca Manager For the first time in ages Waddo I'm actually looking forwards and not just hoping for a result and performance like yesterday. Nzonzi was a class act my MOTM but Crouch for his too well taken goals deserves a call up now surely? (EDIT) WADDO did Pulis actually say I wish .... ?
I thought we were absolutely brilliant yesterday and it was a pleasure to watch. I agree that Whelan looks out of his depth too and hopefully we can get another couple of players in the January window. I am one very happy stokie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UTPSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
He did indeed say it Potts lol - http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footba...ying-internationals-for-wales-91466-31934416/ ‘Unplayable’ Crouch should be playing internationals – for Wales TONY PULIS hailed ‘unplayable’ Peter Crouch’s performance against Swansea City – and then admitted he wished he was Welsh. Crouch has been snubbed by England boss Roy Hodgson since the beanpole striker refused to go on the standby list for the recent Euro 2012 championships. But with his first-half double here making it four goals in his last four Premier League outings, the 42-cap Three Lions ace is the form frontman around. And although Stoke’s Newport-born boss Pulis declined to get into a discussion over whether his star man should be getting an international recall, he did admit he wished Chris Coleman could select him for next month’s World Cup qualifiers with Scotland and Croatia. Proud and patriotic Pulis has said he’s desperate for Wales to turn it around under Coleman, and he added: “I thought Peter was unplayable here – and although I don’t want to get into whether he’s the best striker or if there’s some better than him at the moment, I will admit I wish he was Welsh because it would help!” Crouch struck with a 12th minute header and a 36th minute tap-in to seal the win for Stoke inside 45 minutes, and Pulis said: “I thought we were very good in the first half and the worst thing that happened for us was half-time because we were slow and sloppy and Swansea controlled things. But we came back into it in the last 20 minutes and the only disappointment was that Crouchy didn’t get a hat-trick. “The goals were food and drink for Peter and I thought he was unplayable. I’m not reluctant to talk about him and England but Roy has a lot of experience and the last thing he needs is for me to tell him which team to pick. Peter can’t do any more than score goals and play well and he’s doing that.” Stoke ended a winless run of 11 with the victory, but Pulis insisted he was delighted with the early-season return given the standard of opposition. The former Newport County defender said: “I think we’ve done exceptionally well given the start we’ve had which was very difficult. “Our previous two home games were Man City, Arsenal and we now have five points from three games which is a good return. “We are ten games unbeaten here but we knew it was a tough start, even away from home as in the first nine games we play the top six teams. “It’s really tough. We needed to get some points somewhere and we’re pleased we got them here. “We’re doing OK and I’m delighted with the signings like N’Zonzi and Kightly and I think there’s more to come from Charlie Adam and Michael Owen hasn’t got going yet. “It’s really good times for the football club.”
Whelan may improve with the new players around him, it's still early doors yet also thought Walters had a better game than of late.
Waddo thanks for posting the above.. made me smile and on topic re Crouch refuses to WHAT.. I heard Crouch interviewed recently. And when questioned as to why he refused to turn up as a (stand by) it's not true. That's from the mouth of the beanpole himself. Crouch went on to explain EXACTLY what did happen and this is the interesting part. He said " I was asked to turn up as a (stand by) for a FRIENDLY BEFORE the Euro's and I said I put MY CLUB Stoke City F.C. before what was just a warm up game" He also said Quote " What was actually said by me to the Manager and Visa versa will remain between the two of us" All I can say is... WOY you are missing out big time here, and WELL DONE Crouchy, WHY would he want to turn up for a friendly when we SCFC had games to play. ADD too that the fact that MANY had said before that his playing days for England were over. Fair play to Crouch, he has NEVER said anything like that. So we'll see IF Woy actually picks player's on form or his own favourites. Either way, KEEP doing what you are doing for Stoke City. Our very own Jolly Green Giant Five goals so far and counting... Can not wait to see Crouch AND Owen play up front together... what the odds both get called up? Never say never I say! (Edit) Sorry lads what I should have mentioned was that Crouch was reported as saying he refused to turn up for the (Euro Squad as a stand by) seem's that from what Crouch did say. Somone is telling porkies and it ain't Crouch cos he said more than once, I would love it. Maybe he has to wurk aarder to imprss Woy.
Listened to the game on the radio (my kids were Karting) and we sounded really positive! Gutted I missed our 1st win of the season, 1st in 12 prem games, 1st win since April and only our 5th win in almost 30 games! My point is, I lost faith along time ago and my penance is missing a good home performace resulting in 3 points. As I have said,playing well against the top teams is irrelevant if we can't beat teams around us but we seem to be carrying our good and spirited performances into games that really count! In relation to Whelan, he will start to look out of place because of the higher quality we now have. One dig, (it wouldnt be me without one) is that we really need to play with 2 out and out wingers and not use Walters as a make shift midfielder, winger, striker.... We have Owen and Jerome on the bench, Ringtone coming off the bench and Pennant who can't make the squad. I'm not saying he shouldn't play, but. Bit more balance in both formation and selection process would only make us better! Starting to regain the faith! (STRTF)
To a point you are right Smithers... I was surprised that Ether's didn't start and Pennant not even a bench warmer. End of, it was much, much improved on anything I've seen in the last few seasons. Subs? We personally I would have made them at half time. Otherwise t.p. got it right.. like Waddo say's maybe he's grown some here's hoping so.
Jerome wasn't on the bench yesterday which was surprising as I would start him over Jones everyday of the week. Jones was useless in the little time he had and doing his usual whinging at being climbed on and on his arse for the remainder of the time. Time we shipped Jones out and replaced him now. You would think he would come into the game all guns blazing to fight for his place, but he just does not have that fire in him!
Hi I thought that we played so much better yesterday as well. N'zonzi does indeed look class and the way he holds and shields the ball shows him to be a Viera in the making! I just hope we keep him for some time. Crouch took his goals well and I had hoped we would get more in the second half. I thought that all the team contributed including Whelan although his vision was sadly lacking and the way he, twice in quick succession was just happy to belt the ball up in the air, showed me he was struggling in the new set up. I look forward much more positively to the season than I did at the start of it and trust that we may get a point next week if all play the same way we did yesterday. Hoping I get there! Just spoke to my beloved and got my ticket. 5 of us travelling up from Wokingham/Reading!
I always thought we had worse players than Whelan, Whitehead, Diao & Delap to name but three, i don't think he will turn into Messi but he may at least be a better squad player.
I think he is a squad player at best can rotate in for Adam and Nzonzi, and he certainly shouldnt be on at the expence of a 2nd wide player. Its just a shame that our form winger prior to the season cant even make the bench.
Seriously though, imagine what a side we would be if Palacios was on the field in place of Whelan!!! Hope Pulis sorts out his problem with him and this happens!
Waddo I think?? It's a problem with Wilson himself... he's Never got over the loss of his brother. That said, can't say that I ever would. IF that's the real reason, I feel so sorry for Wilson Palacios. What's puzzling me though is this. Surly, Pulis must have spoken to Harry about this before signing the lad? I might be wrong so it's nothing I've heard just that the Spurs fans we're talking about this some time back. He wasn't the same player after what happened... so sad IMO. Hope it gets sorted as he looks the real deal when he's on his game.
Yes I learnt of his problems last year. I am not sure who sponsors his kit at Stoke but may have exacerbated the problem as well!
Pottermouth i av just seen your comments directed at me from the Swansea board ! I had a little dig and no more a bit o fun......... Us on here r as friendly as brothers in comparison to the harsh reality of the Oatcake site ! It was no more than that a giggle .. and in my opinion a bit of a gloat i agree ... We were miles apart never mind a few passing moves.. We bossed the game and should o won without a sweat on 4 It was in my opinion matey no more just a bit o fun !!!
