Just looking at the run of games from now until the end of the season, points ought to be obtainable in every game apart from Arsenal and Everton away and Manure at home. That said it all depends on whether TP changes his selection policy and negativity. Wigan and Reading in the next 2 home games ought to provide us with 6 points but I watched Reading comeback against Newcastle yesterday and they were quite impressive especially second half. Wigan seem to be on a poor run currently but we all know what happens when they play us at the Britannia. Question to you all - will we win the next 2 home games?
PP, I doubt that we will, in our present form, both teams are in danger of the drop but after seeing our last few games i think they will have renewed hope of getting something out of the games. I don't think we will go down but presently we are not at the races in fact we are not even out of the stables!!
We have conceded 10 goals in our last three prem games and scored just one. That is relegation form by any standard. I think the points accrued to date though will probably save us. But how much longer can we go on in the premiership with a team made up of mainly Championship players! with the exception of a few! We seem to bring in all the has beens and crocks. I want to see some fresh talent that are young and capable of having a go!
I prefer the stat that we have conceeded 13 goals in the last 4 games it highlights that form is temprary and not a forgone given! All teams have goals in them and create chances, but we always struggle to get more than a couple of good chances per game (Sothampton at home excluded) which is why we dont win many games over a season. If we look at our history of wins under TP, we generally always get a couple of back to back wins when he is coming under pressure, so I think its odds on that we will get at least 4 points out of the next 2 home games - and I hope to God we do (as a true fan) - even though it will reduce pressure on the Wesh Wonder! In relation to away performances: This has to be a concern for even the most avid of TP fans? 1 away win in 12 games this season and the stat of 1 away win in 21 (although I havent verified this) is evidence to the fact that we are arguably going backwards rather than progressing or at least standing still. I appreciate that there are games where you have to try and restrict the opposition, but that doeant apply all 19 of the other premier league teams! Now TP has two reason for this approach. He either doesnt have enough faith in his players, or he believes that this is the correct tactical approach. Now you dont have to be a "TP Hater" to realise that regardless of the reason, the results prove that in both circumstance the situation is wrong! So the next question is which reason is it? If it is because of the players capabilities then obvioulsy as the existing mananger who has bought every player and had them at the club for lengthy periods of time, the responsibilty is firmly his. If its because of the tactics then again it is firmly his fault and his fault alone! Unless of course he is just a useless lacky with coaching badges? Now thats worth argueing, but either way a dont have any sympathy for a man who (IMO) is stealing a living and making supporting the club very difficult! I refer to my signiture - it refelects TP very well! "Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results" - Albert Einstein
Smithers, Love the work you're doing. A more apt phrase for Pulis is probably "Stupid is, as stupid does" but I don't remember where it comes from!!
I'm trying to be more balanced in my views. It is ver disappointing that we have lost alot of posters on this site who feel that this board is too negative, but I am trying to create discussion. The problem I have found is that whilst I acknowledge that when results are positive it is very hard to justify criticism towards either TP or the team, it seem that posters with opposite views to myself dont see the same logic and often the result is just not to post. Its a real shame because I remember when we had a good 30-40 regular posters on here, when posters like me were in the minority. Soemtime the black and white facts hurt and personal bias intervenes.
Smithers the "Oatcake" which is Stokes main board has just as many people that want Pulis out, it's just a pity we don't have their fan base. I don't know if you read the letters column in the Sentinel at all, but there is a guy that write virtually every other day saying he wants Pulis out. So I don't think we are alone!
Smithers Despite the fact that (we might be safe) with the pts gained so far. I hate what Pulis is doing at Stoke City.. Team selection/s lack of subs at the right time.. I could go on but as you say. Doing the same thing over and over again away from home is simply wrong/an insult to the fans who travel away from home and to make it worse. Mr Coates does not seem to give a monkeys either. To think Nigel Adkins was sacked but TP is still here. Given that Southampton have/do ATTACK teams home and away. Is just ludicrous. Note my comment on another thread yesterday at half time. " Bring on Jerome/Jones before Swansea score" If I can see it coming anyone should.
I wish I could remember my first post on the old 606 and if course the first post on here - but I would put sixpence on the fact that it would have been along the lines of Pulis is not for me. He was not my choice the first time round and nothing has chang I may not be everybody's cup of tea, much less my opinion , but at least I have been consistent.
Oh blood hell, mods - can you please delete a couple of my last post. I know I am a repititive old bugger but...
Well I suggest some of you could be a bit more positive. Yes we have lost three successive premier league games. Man City (Away) Chelsea (H) Swansea (A). Swansea was the most disappointing as I thought we had a chance. I am concerned that Jones only came on when we were 2-0 down. I hope he does nopt go to Swansea even for £5million as he seems to be in tip top form at present. You all know 4-0 against Chelsea was not a fair reflection of the game. 2 of the goals were crass yesterday. Where was our RB when Davies was going through! Adam continues to gift free kicks. Begovic was out of postion when the kick was taken. Jerome should have scored yesterday from 2 yards out! Now as you may know they went down to Swansea on Thursday because of the weather and in some of the players mind they would have been thinking we will not be playing. Banged up in a hotel from Thursday evewning until Saturday lunchtime not being able to train at all. I do not believe they were in the mindset to go out and win that game yesterday whatever TP said. IMHO they were in all probability stale! Tuesday week I am hoping for three points as I expect them to really go for it. The Oatcake board is full of individuals who slate anybody who shows any support at all of TP. The result is that they no longer post! I as you know do not believe he should be kicked our in the middle of the season. I do not like his tactics away from home. TP tactics are somewhat defensive but you know he wants to ensure we are in the EPL next year. Ideally I would like to see him moved upstairs in the future. Saying that I stll maintain that this season has seen us move on. Having seen 70% of EPL games I feel that is fair! How many of you will be going to watch us take on Wigan on 29th January?
Cris I will be there no problem. I expect we get a least 4pts from that and the Reading game. Anything less I will be well disappointed to say the least. WE know that TP will be more postive we always are. Should TP go? Not now but at the end of the season should we finish below 10th I think he should. I'm not being negative Cris, just asking for some common sense decisions (away) from home. Aka yesterday Jones and Jerome. Had they come on at half time we could have maybe kept the ball in Swansea's half, which did'nt happen until 70odd mins? Yes Swansea deserved the win it's just the way we lose which hacks me off. It's happening every away game and surly had TP been more positive we could be (well safe) from relegation by now. This league is so poor this season I expect us to attack more. If that's too much to ask for I'm sorry. Agreed Chelsea game was'nt a reflection on how we played/approached the game and at Citeh we never do anything there anyway. Well done for travelling to Swansea yesterday Cris.
Cris fair reflection and insight into yesterday as always I've done my best this season to remain on the fence over TP, having been a vocal TP out person in the past. After watching yesterday's game and the total cave in once more to Man City away, I just think there is someone better out there that can do this job. I know everyone keeps saying where he has brought us but he has been seriously bankrolled by Coates in order to do this and I feel if someone with a few more ideas had the backing and money to spend that he as had, how much further on could we be now!
Smithers, There are times on here that I have not posted for a while, times when i have not posted on the night of a particular game, I sat down after yesterdays game and found myself full of apathy. It is not the nay sayers that are at fault you have to have something to criticise and i try to use humour where I can, I have eaten my share of humble pie when i've said something but things have gone our way but lets face it mate i'm never going to be overweight on such meagre fare.
