Ok, a little quite on here so I thought I would post something to get us warmed up for the return of the premier league and our beloved Stoke City. Purely gossip at this stage, but rumour has it that Huth is potentially looking at a return to the German league to highten his chances of being selected for the national team. Now looking at the 2010 - 2011 season Huth was one of our leading scorers, out performed his highly rated team mate (Shawx) in one of the best defensive central partnerships in the premier league, stayed fit right up until the end of the season and in his mid twentys has hugh potential to be a Stoke legend! Now given all these positives, he seemed unable to establish himself in the national squad? Fast forward to the 2011 - 2012 season and Huth has become a combination of an out of position player, a rotation and bit part player to the player he out performed in the previous season (Shawx) and 2 ageing injury prone ex internationals who probably only have 3 or 4 season left between them at this level! Given that Huth was unable to state his claim to an international spot in the previous term, I am sure he sees his chances of improving those odds this year as even slimmer and given that the euros are just around the corner, who could blame him for looking for a "New Challenge"? From a selfish perspective, Huth was a bargin at around 5 million (given that he would have been worth 10 million + last year) and is on realistic wages. Given his age and the chances that Shawx has the potnetial to be snapped up by one of the big 4or5, why would we want to affect his form/value? So to all you Stokies, do we think it is potentially possible that Huth could become disheartened with his playing time, form, position and lack of international chances and hence look for a move and would we blame him?
Delap, Agreed, and playing him at right back is just as stupid. I voted T.P. plays him at C/H with Ryan or a n other injuries etc. Would NOT blame Huth if he wanted out to be honest he and Ryan were doing really well.. if it ain't broke........... I'm meaning the League games, not so much the other games that's fair enough to give em a rest.
ANOTHER prime example of Pulis's management expertise, I would not blame Huth if he wanted to go! On second thoughts, its a great idea, in the January Tx Window we can sell Ryan as well andbring in Ledley King and Jack Charlton!! Tra la - the 3 year plan revealed
Stoke have been unlucky with injuries to our fullbacks going back into the tail end of last season and if Pulis had found good cover for the right price I'm sure he would have spent the cash. We did, however, need strengthening right across the pitch so I'm not suprised that we didn't get everything we needed. Huth, being versatile, has therefore drawn the short straw as he was the best 'fullback' of a bad bunch. I hope he realises his status with the fans and that his long term future is in the centre. You'll not find many fans or staff at Stoke that would be happy for Huth to leave but personally I would at least understand if a move increased his chances of international duty. Sell him and buy two good fullbacks if that's what happens. Putting this aside lets hope that Pulis strengthens in this area during the January window, we keep Huth and win the europa league (I can dream can't I?) PS - I think bringing in Charlton and King would be a bad idea - Charlton is too old to consider even a pay as you play contract and King, though brilliant on his day, has dodgy knees.
Someone has to play there - If there are no fullbacks in the squad then someone has to play out of position. Pulis obviously thinks, rightly or wrongly, that out of the 25 man squad he is the best we have available.
I've tried to build a few points to argue why Pulis is doing this Smithers - but I just shoot each one down as fast as I write them. I can only think Shotton/Wilko are not trusted enough to play consistantly twice a week. Shotton seems destined to play in midfield but he has played in defense this season leaving Wilko out and Huth in. (Besiktas) Against Swansea Shotton was available as a sub for Wilson but Huth came on instead..... I think a more interesting question is if Huth was not required at fullback would he get a game? To me it is a no brainer, even at the expense of Shawx ok - pulis must be on drugs but I still love the guy.
Steve Very well put mate.. Smither's I clicked on that result link and it won't load for me.. HOW many have said.. they think Huth should be played at right back.. I know I didn't? WHEN i could load it, it showed 100% for playing him with Ryan at C/Half .. Although, I can see where Steve is coming from. Huth to be fair to the guy, does his BEST when played at fullback and I would love, at times like to see what happened. IF Mr Pulis played with just three at the back, face it at times this season I think it could have worked for us. As we could play Wilson in the middle... but Mr P will not of course just wondering as this was brought up last week on another thread.. I don't blame Huth but it seem's at times that either he or Wilson are having to come inside and cover for Upson/Ryan/Woodgate eithe combo of course allowing wingers too much time and space, which happened in the Utd game... they were all out of position hence giving Nani too much space.. That's just one example there have been other where Wilson is exposed and I think? is one reason why our pitch is narrower than some, in fact most other grounds. Flat back 3 might work IF we don't have two fit fullbacks I mean proper fullbacks, I live in hope though more than anything.
As discussed on the other thread 3 CB's and holding defensive midfielder, keeping the pitch narrow and conjested and forcing wingers wide to the byline would utilse the correct players in the most natural positions possible! 2 x votes for RB 1 x vote for leave 9 x votes for CB with Shawx I was relying on generating a little more interest from all fans to get a better feeling of the general perception! Seems like the ususal lot unfortunatley!
