Is totally out of his depth in the Stoke midfield. I watched him yesterday nearly have a heart attack everytime Nzonzi passed the ball to him. We had a bit of a count going on too with how many times he actually passed the ball forwards as opposed to sidewards and more offten than not backwards. Caught in possession plenty of times as well. I have always liked his 100% blood and guts attitude and the fact he does actually try, but I'm now sad to say it's time to move him on along with Whitehead, Wilko and Shotton. Love Wilko to bits, but again he is not really a top drawer premier league left back or right back for that matter. Thought Bego looked a bit nervy yesterday too but that may have had something to do with Fergie being at the game. I thought we were pretty woeful until Jones and Jerome came on. We looked like a team that was going to score then. Nzonzi is a class above everyone else in red and white and looks totally isolated in the midfield. I sat there yesterday mulling over all the millions we had spent on players and it was like watching the Stoke reserve side as there was very little quality on offer. I'm not sure if this promise of 60 million for next season if we stay up as actually derailed our season just like Europe did last season. Pulis seems to be really under pressure and quite happy to take a point wherever he can even at home!! Can't see us going down and mid table the best we can now hope for. But what does concern me is that should we get the 60 million, is Pulis going to waste it on more tatt?? Or has Coates woke up to this and his spending powers now being over looked by a more switched on body at the club!
Morning Waddo, I only saw it on match of the day, mentioned his lunge on another thread, but it's a bit like a crossroads now if we carry on with Pulis ball why bother getting better players, as we will be using none of there skills, however if we do change our style and play some football they should get rid of Walters, Whellan, Wilko and Whitehead.
Morning Jowler. Totally agree mate. Walters is the new Cresswell and reminds me of Forest Gump when he just runs and runs and runs without actually going anywhere. It should be run Jonny run!!!! If we had more quality in midfiled we would ne need to continue with this hoof tactic and just maybe be able to play some intricate football and triangular passes. Nzonzi has the ability to do this, but sadly no one else around him has!
Stokie, we said the same thing yesterday, how on earth is he an international player?? He is another Mamma, Rory, Lawrence and Higgy, thanks for your services at the club, it's time to move on old boy!
To be honest though all we have seen these players play is Pulis ball, i don't think that they would set the world on fire but they could probably play better under a different manager in a balanced team.
Would have to agree mostly with the comments made. More concerning is the likelihood of him getting sent off. As he has got older, slower and let the ball run away from him, he has become more reckless. He should have gone yesterday, two footed lunge both feet off the ground and the same against Man City. Can't do that anymore and it could have cost us dear yesterday.
the only thing Whelan does is stand there and points at players,i have never rated him since he has been at Stoke.
I have a higher opinion of Whelan because he at least trys to pass and shoot unlike Whitehead. However I do agree that he is at best a reserve player and inreallity Adam, Nzonzi, Palcious and Wilson is more than enough central midfielders - and a quality set of midfielders it is too. Love Wilko but again a reserve player as is Shotton. Walters - well my dog can run!
Hi Stokie not comparing him to those players but just saying that they have all been good servants to the club as to where we are now but sadly it was tme for them to move on. I think Whelan has played his part just like the others and should now go to the Championship as that is probably is current level.
Think some of the Championship clubs may take him on as he is still unbelievably an International player. As for premier league clubs, i couldn't see him getting into any other side to be fair!
Waddo We watched the same game mate... you are 100 per cent right. I said last night.. what he hell did Whelan or Shotton do yesterday? And to leave out Adam for Whelan is frankly a joke! Jerome and Jones we're both fantastic but WHY does it take Clueliss so long to do something about it.. only he knows. N'Zonzi is pure class and IMO only Adam can play alongside him. And that was a nasty tackle by Whelan too! From the Boothen End I said he's lucky it's only a yellow. And yet again, Pulis sounded DESPERATE to stay in this league and kept banging on about (Money) next season. Re staying in the Premier League.
You never know Potts, one of these years he might just twig that if you have proper fullbacks and a balanced team, staying up is a damm site easier!!
I dont dispute that, but I would have thought that it was part of the job spec to be able to pass a ball as any type of midfielder. Similiar to a defender being able to make a tackle and dare I say it - a striker that can hit the target?
Whelan is absolute ****e, but I cant believe that no-one has mentioned Shotton, he has got to be the worst player I have ever seen in my entire life..............in any LEVEL of football. He is absolutely ****e and I cant think of one positive thing to say about him, how he and Whelan play in the prem and make an incredible amount of money from it absolutely amazes me. Shotton is the biggest embarassment to Stoke city and it says a lot about the managers knowledge of footballers.
Ric I agree totally about Shotton.. did you listen to P and G last night. One guy said " Shotton had a very good game" He must be seeing things IMO. At least Whelan can play a bit, albeit not a world beater IMO. WHY TP plays Shotton I have no idea either Ric.
I said on another thread that Shotton and Wilko, (who I totally love to bits), are not premier league I'm afraid.
