http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.u...tballClubNews (Stoke City News)#axzz2TLsYZReJ ON the day that the club chose to mark our 150th anniversary it would have been nice to remember such a poignant and significant moment with a positive result. It wasn't to be. please log in to view this image We can point to a reckless moment from Charlie Adam and another abysmal display from referee Kevin Friend, but the truth is that we came up short once again. We've prospered and progressed off the back of our home form over the past five or six years, but 'Fortress Britannia' has now been breached. We think of ourselves as being a very tough nut to crack at our own stadium, but the defeat to Tottenham on Sunday was our sixth already at home in 2013, set against just three wins. Chelsea, Man City, West Ham, Aston Villa, Manchester United and Spurs have all left The Potteries with maximum spoils over the past five months, while only Crystal Palace, Reading and Norwich have been beaten. We wouldn't have seen that coming on Boxing Day would we, when we boasted the only unbeaten home record in the Premier League. Despite the sense of anti-climax brought on by the late defeat to Spurs we should be prepared to acknowledge that the disaster we all feared a few weeks ago has not come to pass. We've secured a sixth straight season in the Premier League and will receive a share of the massive new TV windfall. We should be grateful, especially after the release of the recent financial figures which show the depth to which the Coates family have dipped into their pockets in recent years. The financial support from our owners has been incredible, but it just can't be sustained at that level. The new TV money is going to help us take another big step towards self-sufficiency and perhaps provide the funds which are going to be required, in the short-term, to address the holes we have in our current squad. It's very hard to believe, after all of the money we've spent, the state of our current first-team squad. We seem to be weak in almost every area, with the notable exception of the goalkeeping spot, and end so many games with players out of position. Regardless of who's in charge next season we have to sort out the squad, otherwise we'll start the new season in the same sort of way that we've finished this one. As pleased and appreciative as we all are about the fact that we're going to be in the Premier League next year, we all know that this season has seen us go backwards on the pitch. Even if we win at Southampton on Sunday we can only reach 44 points, which compares with the 45, 47, 46, and 45 we've earned in our previous top-flight seasons. The tight state of the mid-table positions means that we could still finish anywhere between 10th and 17th, but we all know in our hearts that this has been the least effective and, possibly, least enjoyable of our Premier League seasons. It was perhaps the parade of the old players before the match on Sunday which really brought that point home, as it reminded us of what football is really all about. It's about glory and heroes. It's about the epic moments which then become great memories and which we pass down the generations. It's about revering the history of our club and those who've played a part in its story. As you picked out those players walking around the edge of the pitch, as you spotted your heroes, you were taken back to a golden memory. In the minds of the supporters football isn't just about grinding out a survival season each year. If the reality of the modern, money-driven game means it is, then you still don't constantly state it as being your single sole aim. That just doesn't inspire people. Fans were solidly behind our initial exploits in the Premier League because we were written off by pundits. It was "us against them" and something we could all believe in and get behind. You can't keep playing that card five years on after the owners have stumped up a king's ransom to help build a team and when you have become accepted as an established top-flight club. And come the next few weeks it's this which I hope the club understands when they come to make the big decisions concerning the future. Nobody but the most unrealistic of moaners is expecting the club to break into the elite of English football. We all know that anywhere between eighth and 17th is a likely outcome for any season we're in the Premier League. But football has to be an escape from ordinary life, not an extension of it. Fans want to see progress being achieved in terms of the quality of the football and want to be entertained. We just haven't managed that for most of this season and a lot of last season as well. Results are important and sometimes it will be 0-0 or a tight 1-0. At times we will undoubtedly come up short, but our approach has to be a lot more positive. I genuinely think it is that simple. The fact that such a low percentage of supporters stayed behind after the final whistle on Sunday to applaud the team on their lap of honour spoke volumes. I really don't think it was any kind of statement about the players, who really do give their very best for our club, but people just wanted to get away from the ground, get their summer underway and forget about the football for just a few weeks. I know how they feel because that's how I feel too.
In reality there is only ONE decision to be made - In or Out. Until that time, all else is immaterial.
Fantastic read Waddo Banks, Hurst and is that George Eastham in the middle? Wow just wondering what those LEGENDS actually thought watching the Spurs game... This season in a word mate.. "Pathetic" and to think our 1st season back was probably our best to date. Given that we we're massive fav's to go down.
That's exactly what I thought Potts on Sunday. Yes it is George Eastham mate Obviously we are not evolving as like you say our best season was probably our first!
If Clueless has not gone within two weeks after Sunday , he's staying. I think the Coates will keep him. Sorry.
Jowler Hate to say this but Ma Lady thinks Pulis is staying too! In truth as much as I would love it if he left, I fear both Kick a bow and the Wife could be right. Dang! Bang goes my S/T then as Nicky say's SOD IT!
As said on other threads, if Coates has said your only target is survival, then Pulis has done his job. Good enough to keep your job?? Does not compute captain,
