when tp took over we were a very poor side and this is not a wum, i started supporting the mighty potters in 1978 my dad took me in the butler street, i remember the mick mills/alan ball days nightmare losing to leyton orient on pens beagrie of all people missing one. So hopefully i can say without been ridiculed apart from my spelling about tp. Some stoke fans including myself have said he as wasted a lot of money? no arguement but what about carroll 35 million, torres 50 mill, surely a waste of money? what about shawcross, huth, nzonzi, begovic, ethers, all i,m saying is he for me a good bloody manager and i fear if he goes it will be another 1985 season.
Not old enough to remember 85, I wasn't born for another 4 years, but I think if TP were to go, we'd probably do alright, with all the players you mention we have a decent enough squad, and I don't think Coates would keep his wallet shut if a new manager had other ideas. But I'm backing Pulis. He's made some daft decisions along the way, but what manager hasn't? Had a really good November, playing better football, aren't as awful to watch (most of the time) and getting much needed results. Long may it continue. And dare I say it. . . . 5 year plan?
It's hard to justify where we were and where we are now as a yard stick for success or failure, there are too many mitigating circumstances. When TP walked/sacked we were woeful. Coates took control and brought TP back into the fold, in which as a Manager he was very effective - clever with loan moves and some excellent purchases that formed the spine of the TEAM that stayed in the prem that 1st year. Our 1st prem year is still TP's greatest success. From then on it gets abit hazzey - big money spent, a few bad purchases, some big losses and apart from the initial stages of Europe and th FA Cup there has only been poor league finishes to boot (another debate?) Comparing other teams/managers failures as a justification that ours aren't that bad is abit of a shortsighted argument, it's like saying Hitler wasn worse than such and such........
In my opinion, it all boils down to one simple question, which is; Are you content to see Stoke City remain in the Premiership irrespective of the quality of football being played, or not? OK OK before anyone says it, there are 2 questions there. PS - for what its worth, I'm not
You make a good point oldnick some of the football was/is bad but i honestly think he is trying to improve the way we play and daft as it sounds its the best start to the season since we have been in the prem.
Rotter I'm like Nick too old to start saying x team was better than y. IMHO that team of 72 winners of the league cup would easily reach top six these days, just my own oppinion of course. Is TP our greatest ever manager? I think not Waddo takes it for me. The football was sublime, we we're one of the toppish clubs back then in terms of league position etc. BUT I honestly think Pulis has done very well. That said, it's taken him bloody long enough given the money he's had, again just my view. Would I like to see us play well and be in the Championship Nick? Nah for one reason. I doubt we would ever get promoted again with TP in charge, the game has changed the last 50 odd years so much Rotter. WE really can not compare player's/managers etc. Would I like to see the Conroy's, Bank's playing again. You bet I would. But we're stuck with TP for the near future and whilst I will never really take to the guy. I salute him for where we are right now. Rant over
I wouldn't necessarily say our league finishes have been poor, they were very good the first 2 seasons, a little slip 3rd times, last year was disappointing, I was hoping we'd have improved and pushed on a bit by then, and finish 10th. But last season Swansea and Norwich made it a tough season for team aiming for a mid table finish. I'm not trying to make excuses though, last season was a poor finish, but that is the only one (IMO). And Nick, the last 2 seasons I'd been questioning if I'd make the sacrifice for some better football, but ATM, I don't think so. We look a lot better this season, and its clear TP is trying to evolve and play some better footy, even if its not always going exactly to plan.
Badly worded - I meant the last couple of seasons. As I said, I think our 1st season in the prem was TP's greatest achievment!
Can't argue with that comment Rotter, well said. And, I must say since the three Sandor, Smither's and Cris took on the Moderators job. ALL 3 are brilliant. Far better than I ever was and Smither's I like these match day threads. Something I only attempted a handful of times. Well done all of you. I'm looking forward the the Anual invasion of Arsenal wum's etc, to see how you handle them.. good luck!!
Stokie lad That's a point that me and my fellow Stokie's have talked about over a few beers, on more than one occasion. It's a tough question and the only thing I would say in defence of Tony Pulis is.... Take a look at MON=Sunderland? Hughes= QPR and a few others who have come and gone quicker than a rat up a drainpipe. Although, I do agree IMO a few half decent managers may have done as well, if not better than TP has. Given the cash he's used, some of it wasted IMO the last 5 seasons. On the flip side, Pulis for all his critics from fans both Stoke and nuetrals. HAS kept us up first two season's, as mentioned above with ease. We're stable and looking good so far this season. I only hope our wheels don't come off after Xmas, which has happened more than once since TP came back here. I would also hope, that TP has learned from that and does not let things slip and we may even (add to the squad in Jan) I also read today the Sentinel that NON of our better players will be leaving in the Jan window. Begovic was one, Utd we're one club interested but he say's " I'm happy to stay here" let's hope that happens. Player's when asked by United or looked at usually = they are off.
Good point and I think you would find very few clubs coming out of the wordwork for TP! Does that mean he is a bad manager?????? I dont know, what it probably means is that the baggage TP brings with him (i.e. All the critical things we can think of) may not be tolerated by another club. We all know that it is the relationship between chairman and manager that has bred the sucess we have had to date and I think TP would be hard pushed to get that type of support and freedom anywhere else. There have been times (bad runs) in his premership years that if it was a different manager/chairman combination, there have may have been a different outcome. I think the benefit of this relationship is that TP can operate under very little pressure (except the pressure he puts himself under) as we all know he has very little respect or care for critical supporters and press who dont buy into his ways! I can not think of another premier league club that would afford him the same leniency and hence you could probably assume that he would not be as successful.
Good point mate and i agree with all the above maybe southampton or maybe championship sides like wolves or leeds.
Well said that man, that was an era of football and for me TP is a long way off it. Your right in that football has changed the blatent diving etc would not have been tolerated and I don't think that the game has the honour that it had back in those days.
