Well after a fantastic game on Saturday where we outpassed Swansealona where do we go from here? The lads are playing really well we have picked up points from some really difficult matches and the next games are away to Liverpool and Manu. These 2 matches are not to me the important ones, though it would be nice to pinch a point or 2. It's the games after them that will define our season when we entertain and visit the run of the mill clubs,like ourselves, that's where we have to make the difference count, those are the games when we will see how far we have come and where we need improvement. As for myself i'm more opimistic than i've been in years, I think we have the makings of a really good side that can give a good account of itself home and away. So we now have a yard stick, let's go wallop some one with it!!
As long as the performances are good in the next two games I am not that fussed about h results, like you have said (and I have said for the last two years) it's the other games that really matter. Just hope he doesn't play the likes of Jerome, Owen, Pennant etc... And if we dont get the results then use it as excuse not to intergrate them into the team moving forward!
Jowler and Smither's Jowler that more or less echo's what I've said on another thread. GREAT POST Too! We actually look like we are (moving forward as a TEAM) And Smither's of course it's games like Swansea's, Sunderland, etc we need to win now and, as Jowler say's. I think any Stoke fan who was there on Saturday came away a little surprised but also happy with things over all. I've not felt like this for a couple of seasons. Excited about (what we can acheive as you rightly say) with the right player's we now have. A very, very good all round SQUAD.
Thanks Potts, The style of football we have been playing before has been a bit like a bulldog chewing a wasp, functional but not pretty, this must have had an affect on us not recruiting the players that we have needed but with the latest batch of signings things are starting to develop nicely. If we can keep playing the way we have started then we may just become a team that can recruit better footballing talent and we can shake off this rugby playing thugs image that the nice Mr Wenger gave us. We have already moved on at least beyond a pig wearing lipstick!!
Well it is good to see a number of us feeling positive. TBH I was disappointed with what I was reading during the days leading upto the transfer deadline date. If you look back so many of us were down on TP and questioning what the hell he was doing. I still question some crass substitutions, selections, and his persistence in playing Wilson at left back. For all that Wilson played well against Swansea. I sighted what happened on 31st August last year and again TP has pulled some rabbits out of the bag. I personally think N'zonzi is the best signing from what I have seen so far. Adam I hope will produce more and I was really impressed with Cameron on Saturday. I look forward to seeing Edu if Whelan is out on Sunday? I also hope that it will encourage more of you to support the lads away from home. I have a pass for Liverpool but can't get to OT. As Potts says KTF so get out there and give SCFC your support!
I must admit I was one of those people who was very negative before the transfer window closed,but like everyone else on here ,I think he has made some excellent signings who have given the team a new dimension. Well done Tony Pulis. I still worry that he will still make bad substitutions,how come Jones is back on the scene? Where is Jerome? Have we seen the last of Pennant to even make the bench? I see also Whitehead gets in before Edu,which doesn`t exactly inspire confidence as to his ability( then again, now I think of it he was always preferred to Palacios ,however after all`s said and done even TP`s biggest critics(me included) must admit ```the boy done good!!`
Joe Count me in too! I was getting really hacked off end of May time. Now? I feel much more positive. And don't forget, without the odd strange sub's decision Pulis would not be Pulis. I was bricking it when Whitehead came on last week. All we needed to do was bring on another winger and keep the ball. Re Pennant?? We did'nt and I HOPE that T.P. is not going to Liverpool on Sat to just hang on in there.. we would get mullured. May as well just go for it
Joe & Potts, I was really hacked off with "that man" full stop, these changes are what we have all been saying for several seasons, right back, midfield and play it on the floor. Tactics, try to keep the ball, don't sit on a 1 goal lead and actually try and win away from home rather than just trying to stop the opposition from playing and then nicking a draw. We have needed the players to do this and I believe we now have the makings of a good football playing team but it was "that mans" responsibillity to get this sorted out, so I won't be applauding him just yet, for me he still owes us for three years of playing sh*te!!!
Jowler Exactly, let's just see HOW T.P. approaches the Liverpool game on Sunday? So far so good. GREAT interview by Mr Owen at lunchtime too! He say's he was jeered first few times he went back to Anfield.. Would be a nice touch if they applaued him on Sunday, IF he takes part in the game.
Potts, That would be a nice touch and it would be good for Owen to get some game time as long as he is ready for it.
Totally agree Jowl. And Potts fingers crossed for today,as I think it`s as much (if not MORE) important how we approach the game today than the result!!
