First post for this season, Lost my internet connection due to some idiot and his JCB Anyway, i've seen and heard that Shotton is up for grabs. At first it was as a loan to Burnley but reports are starting to show up on nownews of a possible sale, then i hear that Blackburn are after Wilko. So when i hear comments about Stoke building for the future then see our younger talent up for grabs it makes me wonder what the bloody hell is going on. Your thoughts please R
Hi Nick, thought it was funny that after the game on Sunday Shotton stayed on the pitch clapping the fans longer than anybody else. I had the feeling then that something was a-foot. He's one for the future, so will be very pissed off if they let him go. But TP has never been a great lover of youth so not totally unexpected. R
Mithrand, I made some comment about Pulis and the Young Boys of Berne in another thread and didn't get any reply!!!
I think the issue here is that non of us are privi to TP's master plan and vision! However, english talent should be retained especially when its home grown (something that is a rareity from our acadamey) and whilst they are not 1st team quality they are definate backup and have the potential to improve! However (as I have stated on other threads) I dont believe that Uppson and Woody have come to sit on the bench and i think that we will playing with 4 CB across the back this season! When Higgy gets fit and nobody wants Collins, there is enough cover and hence I think TP would probably sell Shooton and Wilko or at least loan them out! Crying shame really!
Mithrand, Welvome back, I had the same thing happend ot me mate, a guy with a JCB cut my water off for two days Still, I think Shotton was just appreciating our support on Sunday? He's a local lad and really T.P. should be hanging on to player's like him and Louis Moult etc.. I said the other day... is T.P. going to go with 3 C halfs away from home as I've heard on another thread that.. Tony told talksport " We are looking to bring in two C Midfielder's a winger and TWO strikers! If that's the case fantastic.. My wish list would be... Palacios, Krancjar, SWP, Defoe and a young talent from the lower divisions? Nice thought hope it happens Tony.
It`s just paper talk,like Crouch,Palacios,Bendtner etc etc etc--- These 2 WONT be allowed to leave !! ( I hope!!!!).Nicky I`d be interested to hear your comments on Waddo`s `Best Article` thread.
Joe, just read it, a first class article indeed. It sums up the state of play perfectly and HOW we play. BUT, I don't agree with the sentiment, I know that sound ambiguous, good article, it's where we are at, it doesn't address where we are going!! Perhaps that was not the point of the article. To sum up Joe, I have NO complaints about the style of football that got us promoted AND kept us in the PL for a couple of seasons. It is the 3rd season onwards that concerns me. I do not see the promised evolution - YET. But, regarding Pulis, I would LOVE to be proven wrong. All the best Nick
Nick,thanks for the reply. From my point of view,I like the idea that NO team and that includes Man U likes playing us (well at the Brit anyway),and this is down to our style and commitment. Stokielad, I wasn`t aware of that I just wonder why there`s no movements on those fronts .Still patience is a virtue, and I`m certainly not virtuous!!!:
Stokielad, It does'nt seem as if it will happen then - Upson's been signed for best part of a week, and still no movement regarding Palacios and Bendtner, when we are down to the bare bones. Oh well, still a few more days to go!
Joe - 100% agree with you, nobody likes coming to the Brit and long may THAT continue. I LOVE the FACT that seriously TOP managers like SAF and from Chelsea's Jose. Gus and Carlo, just got on with it and did NOT whine. To be fair, I do not think AVB did, just the gutter press doing what they do best!
I hope that Ryan Shottoon stays and Ipswitch seem to know they are unlikely to get him. Wilko will be needed as well. Why? Because without a doubt suspensions will kick in by November. Whilst we have both Upson and Woodgate in addition to Huth, Shawcross and Shotton, I would ask when is Upson going to be 'Stoke' fit and I think it is the first time in years that he has played 3 games on the trot!! Anyway must go out again now an dlook fowrd to those signings TP suggests will come to fruition by 31st August! Cheer
Apologies Nick, I thought that Woodgate must be Stoke fit given he is playing. And yes I meant it was I think the first time that Woodgate had played three games in succession. If Upson is fit I would have thought he would have featured at least on the bench on Sunday. So IMHO I am not sure whether he is Stoke fit as yet!
Beattie didn't seem to be "Stoke fit" when we signed him, but was straight in the team, and quite a few times we've played an unfit Sidibie and Delap when there's been more obvious (fit) players to pick from. There's loadsa considerations to be made when someone is coming into the team, I think "Stoke fit" is just an easy way of not going into all the details.
