Dear Stokies, Forgive me if I show ignorance, but Pulis has done a flipping fabulous job hasn't he? He took some pretty journeymen type players and moulded them into an accomplished, steady, upper mid-table Premier league side, even made a Cup final last year, battering Bolton in the semis. Not only that, but Stoke away is one of the fixtures that all Premier League clubs, big and small, look at with fear and trepidation. Our turn tomorrow, the Britannia, genuinely one of the least favoured matches of any recent Premier League season, as we wander around in the land of the giants, get bombarded for 90 minutes, pray that we don't suffer any more injuries and generally wish our team didn't look to be such a bunch of pansies. You might have gone off the boil, maybe the money spent over the last 18 months could have been invested a little more wisely, maybe teams are becoming better prepared for the inevitable aerial assault but doing well in Europe, still in the top half, not the slightest danger of relegation. We have invested far more and have spent the last few seasons envying your achievements. We go into the game tomorrow a bit more bullish than yesteryear as we have a brilliant manager who will have them tactically prepared and ready for battle. Most of us would still snatch your hands off for a boring 0-0 and no more injuries. Are you sure you aren't being a little harsh on your gaffer?
Bearing in mind I was speaking to someone who is going down and I keep an eye on all the PL games then I happen to know you are away to Stoke, same way as I know that Bolton are playing at Norwich tomorrow for instance.
Totally agree But you don't know what it's like for the supporters though! Everyone thought Bruce did a good job for us
Letalent, Well that is the $64,000,000 question isn't it? Something even we Stokies do not agree on. Some of the journeymen players that you refer to, are cast iron certainties to play, even after spending close on £95m. Where is our youth policy - we loan youngsters out not to get experience, but basically to flog them, while offering extended contracts to the Old Warhorses. In 4 years ( and our glorious manager promised some change after 3 years), we have added nothing in the way of having a plan B when the tried and trusted throw in or set piece fails to work. We have the lowest shots per game of any team in the league, we have a central midfield of (perm any 2 from the following) Whitehead , Whelan, Delap, who in 4 years have not scored 15 premier league goals between them, and we have wingers who are asked to play so deep that they cause more damage in their own penalty area, than they do in the oppositions. When Ryan Shawcross joined from Man U, he actually would bring the ball out of defense, or pass it along the floor - after more brainwashing from the Welsh Wizard, Ryan's stock ball is the 70 yard bunt. We have scored 4 goals in only 1 game in the prem (your neighbours had a real off day), and in 4 years we have scored 3 goals away from home on one occassion. David Jones took Cardiff to Wembley, and Kenny Jacket took Milwall - I don't think that TP did anything overly special in that respect (in fact he only took the competition seriously from the 5th round). If you want to be constantly baffled by the selection of square pegs in round holes, have all optimism drained from you prior to playing any so called big club (or tricky cup fixtures) - though some might call this pargmatism, then TP is your man. If you want to see something vaguely exciting for your hard earned money, (after all he has admitted many times that he prefers 1-0 to 3-2), then steer well clear of this particular approach to football.
Be careful what you wish for Stoke fans........Seem to remember Charlton fans havin a go about Curbishley, he ****ed off and look where they are now..... You're still fighting on 3 fronts this season, give yer heads a shake ffs rewind 10 years compared to where you are now. 1-3 to SAFC
Thanks bud, first post so I thought I should try and make an effort. Used to post on 606, lurked on here for a while, only working mornings this month so thought I would make more of an effort to join in. You the chap who lives in Thailand? Second life? If so, I have done the same, except in Paraguay. Living the life of Riley - great, isn't it?
Cracking post this and a good perspective of a Stoke fan.. As a kid I remember your stars, Greenhoff, Hudson, Conroy etc and always had a bond as you were red n' white like we are. In my eyes Denis Smith was one of the best managers we had, he came at a time when we needed stability and although an alien to the North East culture, he did us proud. Another ex-Stoke lad so maybe we have evened it up a bit to what we have sold you lads.. I have to admit that I absolutely hate your football or whatever the **** its called, like the fans big-style but you have added a fair few since the premier league. It has worked for you for the past 4 years but surely another direction is needed now? Whatever happens tomorrow then remember have a great day, get pissed & it's only football.. We are '****ing' Sunderland & Ha'way the laaaaads..
Ok - well that makes some sense, bored, feel he has taken you as far as you can go, lack of excitement on match day, some strange contract and financial decisions. I personally think Spurs and us have had your back teeth out over the years. Wouldn't be so worried about thrashing teams or midfield goals if you are grinding out results myself, we know what real pathetic capitulation and failure exposed at the Premier League feels like, after all. Sometimes better off with the devil you know as well as you have a solid outfit - I bet Blackburn fans wish they hadn't been so hard on Allardyce now. For what it's worth, Stoke have won me a bunch of cash the last few years as I love betting on your lot and Fulham at home, and actually have a fiver E/W on you winning the Europa Cup. Wish you naff all luck tomorrow though. Good set of fans, I'd say don't turn on yer gaffer yet unless he really does start to steer you into black waters a la Bruce. You can thank me when your playing in the European Super Cup.
Not confident about this game at all. Sunderland are playing too well and we're playing just utter garbage. Unless Pulis sees the light and gets us playing the football we did from the FA Cup Quarter Final to the Arsenal home win last season, then I can't see anything other than a comfortable 2-0 win for Sunderland. Plus, the Bear Pit atmosphere has disappeared from Stoke and that is definitely due to increasing frustration from the fans and the deteriorating style we've endured since October. It's so frustrating as in September we played the best I have ever seen us play, and it was against no other than the Champions. We played some lovely football that day, even outpassed United at times and if it wasn't for De Gea, might have won the game 3 or 4-1, we had that many chances. We really were superb that day and that is the frustrating thing, we fans know that our players are better than what they are being forced to play by the manager. We've proven to the fans, to the media and despite what Match of the Day will make you believe that we can play football when we're allowed to.
Makems Rule Yup, thanks plumber came around 9 ish left by 11. Sorted, apart from a few tiles and a new roof in the downstairs Loo! Seem's that one of the joints just popped. Re placed with new copper pipe, nice and warm now too! Some advice for Saturday... It's bloddy freezing down here. Wrap up warm our place is a cold place at the best of times. ENJOY the game guys I HOPE this once that the game is pointless for you, but you do have every reason to be confident. After that game.. I sincerely hope you win every point possible.
Glad you got it sorted with little damage. I'm an ex builder and have seen some nightmares caused by leaking pipes.
I just want to Pick up on Swervy's excellent post Basically puts it in a nutshell how most of us on here feel. We know we have the player's, Just like I know Sunderland fans "knew it" before MON came along? MON has not changed the team too much? correct me If i am wrong there but, Just given McClean a chance and it's now paying off big time. That is my gripe with T.P. we go to OT the other night, Jerome is on fire and who does our Manager put there instead. K Jones/Crouch/ then Fuller/Jerome. I'm sure that he as Manager does not know.. his best team. Sound stupid? Well as one Makem has said in response to Swervys post... we the fans have to sit and watch player's like Jerome and Palacios and Pennant sit on the bench far too often for my liking. Yep we're in Europa and 9th but look at our goal diff? You simply can not keep leaving your'e better player's out of the starting 11. Proved by of course MON and he's done a fantastic job so far. With I think bar one player. The same 9/10 player's... no miricle for me, just plain ole common sense and clever man Management. Tony Pulis has told us "We are trying to improve the squad and our style of play" Sure you are Tony. So why keep leaving Palascios/Pennant and Jerome on the bench? WELL SAID Swervy.. 100 per cent post of the day for me.
JOR vic JOE.. Not a chance in hell, I can still PASS a fooite and I'm alomost 60. Oh and it's too feckin cold.. ENJOY the game!
Another stat busted then syd, I love it when the OP sets themselves up for a fall..................never won at the Brittas stadium, we have now kidda.
more grist to the mill today. Awful game, terrible conditions but did Stoke ever really have a clearcut chance to score? Very happy for the 3 points and hopefully no injuries. That will be a fine 3 points come the end of the season. Thank you Stokies - great bunch of fans, frightening place to go, another hoodoo broken, this honeymoon is becoming a honeywinter, a honeyseason and we will be playing some European football in the next year or two. We go forwards. Ref had a mare, probably shouldn't have been a red but how did the other Stokie get away with elbowing Larsson in the face? Not to say we wouldn't have won anyway. 6 points this season. Nice job, well done.
