As well as being mentioned in the The Sentinel, according to Stoke's ESPN Correspondent, we have held talks with his reps with him today. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.u...-Zonzi-radar/story-16781570-detail/story.html STOKE boss Tony Pulis could turn to Blackburn midfielder Steven N'Zonzi to try and liven up his players after the embarrassment of last night's dramatic 4-3 Capital One Cup defeat to Swindon. But he will have to sell some of his existing players to finance a move for the highly-fancied 23-year-old Frenchman before Friday's 11pm deadline. Pulis, who said the proposed loan signing of Tom Huddlestone remained in the balance, refused to discuss specific targets. But he said: "We have got about three or four on-going. "It would be nice to freshen it up, but we have a responsibility to do it within a framework. "We have to move a few on and we will be doing our damndest to do that." Pulis has also been linked with Bolton Wanderers winger Chung-Yong Lee again following his return from last season's broken leg. But reports that the 24-year-old South Korean was at Stoke's training ground yesterday were premature. Wilson Palacios was omitted from last night's cup tie to prompt suggestions of an impending sale, but Pulis insisted the Honduran needs 90 minutes in tonight's under-21 cup game at Morecambe. Pulis believed Stoke might have escaped with a win last night had they not lost Jamie Ness with a groin strain on his competitive debut in extra-time. "It was disappointing to go down to 10 men because I thought we would go on to win the game," he said. "He's trained and worked very well and he needs to get stronger â and we understand that â but I thought I would give him half-an-hour whichever way the game was going. "Unfortunately, he's had to stay on the pitch longer than we anticipated and then got the injury." But the Stoke boss acknowledged a woeful first-half display from his players and insisted Swindon deserved all the plaudits. James Collins was the headline-maker, netting a hat-trick, while Aden Flint was also on the scoresheet for the Robins. Strikes from Kenwyne Jones, Jonathan Walters and Peter Crouch were, ultimately, in vain. "I thought we were very, very sloppy in the first half," admitted Pulis. "We were right off the pace, really poor, had no energy and were just waiting for things to happen. "In the second half we livened up and when we got the first goal to make it 2-1 I thought we would go on to win the game. "Their first three goals came from a Thomas (Sorensen) mistake and two set-plays, which is disappointing. "Swindon deserve a lot of credit though, take nothing away from them. "They really took the game to us and could have scored more than the two goals they did in the first half. "We've had some great cup ties over the last four or five years, but it was not our night."
Sgt Don't want to put a damper on this but I honestly do not give a monkey chuff, I think it's too little too late. Pulis is just (panic buying) in my oppinion Sarg. He's a bigger version of Dean Whitehead as far as I can tell. Hard as nails but he's no footballer. Not the type we need anyway IMO.
Jowler I can't think of ANY prem club that woud be so desperate as to take any of those you mentioned. With the exception of the first THREE!
Potts, To be honest neither can I, Upson may get a look in and Whelan if he had a good run of performances but the rest look like bottom of the championship material.
Not for me Sgt - good player but a dodgey temprement IMO. However, can we be picky given our situation?
Update: It looks like Steven N'Zonzi could be on his way to Olympiakos with reports in Greece claiming they are in talks with Blackburn about a deal for the Frenchman. by skysportspeteo 11:41 AM Looks like thats done then - move onto the next one.
