http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1094219-stoke-city-the-saviours-of-english-football? As a Premier League snob, I miss the old days when Forest, Leeds, Southampton, Coventry, Derbyâand I could go onâwere in the Premier League. Despite my Utopian image of the Prem, there is one team that have cemented their place in this league for me. That team is Stoke City. Stoke have fast become my "second team," and I try and watch as many of their games on television, or the Internet, as possible. A lot of people would say that Stokeâs style of play is boring and ancient, but I think otherwise. The way Stoke play is the way I have always pictured English football to be: strong, aggressive and neat. And Stoke also have a flair going forward, which makes them a very entertaining side to watch. When most people talk about beautiful football, they mention Arsenal doing 149 passes around the centre circle before Theo Walcott runs blindly down the wing and loses possession. But I would much rather see a perfectly timed crunching challenge, or a perfectly weighted through ball with a clinical finish, both of which Stoke show regularly. The way football is going, I wouldn't be surprised if in a few years any sliding tackle, whether itâs clean or not, will be considered a foul. The thought of this depresses me, and could put me off the game entirely. I like to see good defence as much as good attacking play, but if players are falling to the ground after a tap or trying to get players sent off like in the Spanish and Italian leagues, then I can see the Premier League losing what it has always been about. Thatâs why I like Stoke. Pulis is a great manager, and when Stoke hold so called âsuperior teamsâ to draws, or steal three points, the opposing manager slates his tactics deeming them "too aggressive" or "negative." Thatâs ridiculous. Stoke are obviously not the most gifted skill-wise, so Pulis does what he can so his team can get results, which is what a managerâs job is supposed to be. Also, the signings they have made have always impressed me (except maybe Peter Crouch), and looking at their squad it looks strong in every area of the pitch. I just wish other teams would take a leaf out of Stokeâs book and play the game as I believe it should be played in this country. Itâs not as if Stoke havenât had success since rejoining the top flight. They have reached an FA Cup final and have had a mini European adventure. I think if Stoke had big money like the clubs in the top four and could bring in world class talent, and if Pulis and his players carried on in the way they have been, they would be a big force in Europe. For now, though, Stoke are showing the country how the game should be played, and I hope they continue to do so before this game gets too soft.
"But I would much rather see a perfectly timed crunching challenge, or a perfectly weighted through ball with a clinical finish, both of which Stoke show regularly." Yes to the first part (most of the time), but I'm not sure about the second part - don't see many of those!
Not sure Match of The Day would agree either seeing as we are always last on with no after match comments!
Even when we play well they take the piss out of us and leave us till last - that really fuks me off - credit where credit is due!
This guy has a point. As everyone's said, he probably ain't seen as much of our games as we have, but that makes for a decent view point I think. Yeah, he hasn't seen some of the awful football we've played, which has made this write up make us sound better than we actually are, and as a neutral, isn't looking too far into the negatives, and doesn't have a pre-existing view of Pulis to skew his judgement.
I`m just wondering if the article was written with a lot of `tongue in cheek` and the writer was taking the `p--s`. maybe I`m just on a cynical mood.
Its a comment maybe some of the older fans still love the game to be played ? TBF its now all arsenes way .. no contact etc ! no tackles etc... Just a thought guys we do get so quick to criticise our own team ? Wether its a piss take or not but me thinx not .. sounds like the old days !!
