We all understand that over previous transfer windows we have probably spent above our size, refelcted in the fact that we were the 3rd highest NET spending team over the past 3 or 4 seasons. In Tony's defence he has always managed to make a key influential signing that we as fans have liked and more importantly has performed on the pitch. After our away game at Reading one thing is clear, we are STILL (in our 5th campaign) in desperate need of a midfielder that can hold the ball and distribute it, if he can unlock defences even better! We do need a goal scorer, but if used properly and we create enough chances as a team, Crouch, Walters and Jerome are more than capable of scoring 35-40 goals between them and with the added contibution from other positions on the pitch 50+ goals is not out of thsi world. Given that Everton seem to have stole the march on Owen (cant say I am that gutted) and that I cant see Defoe being sold is this the year that TP goes for broke and signs a passing scoring midfielder? A couple of names being knocked around are Adam and Cole form Liverpool; both reside in the region and both would come with a signing fee we could afford. Wages may be a different matter but I cant imagine Adam's would smash our structure and Cole must be aware that he is far from in demand. So your thoughts; Am I being too postive (or desperate) and if so what (if any) players do we think we could afford/attract?
If we had got rid of some of the waste of wages brigade we may have been able to afford a couple of half decent players, but until there is a show of really developing the teams playing style we may only attract the desperate to stay in the premiership players or some one who needs to ressurect their career.
Smither's Can't honestly think of anyone who is ( a class act) i.e. can PASS a FOOTBALL and create for the forwards who in his right mind would want to play for Stoke. BLAME lies with Pulis not the club as such. Negative in the extreme and player's like Joe Cole (hope I'm wrong) would walk into better teams than us mate.
According to the Guardian we're getting Tom Huddlestone on loan for the season. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/aug/20/tom-huddlestone-michael-dawson-tottenham Not quite sure what to think of that...
According to the Guardian we're getting Tom Huddlestone on loan for the season. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/aug/20/tom-huddlestone-michael-dawson-tottenham Not quite sure what to think of that...
Smit Not sure myself TBH bud? Not really seen that much of him, apart from the odd Spurs game on MOTD/FA Cup etc. Shows we're looking at least and he has to be better than a few we should be letting go before August is out!
Smit OH **** Just read that link. He last played a competative GAME for Spurs in Aug 2011 v Man City No wonder I've not seen that much of the guy.
The oatcake was saying that he was coming back from injury and wasn't fit. Sounds like another Palacios...
He is a quality player, big and strong (TP's type of MAN) but can play football - dont forget he played un Arry! I would be concerned with his lack of playing time over the last 12 months but if it was a loan deal it would make sense.
Aint seen much of him for obvious reasons as stated above. He got be better an we got aint he ? I say get him on loan as suggested see how he does then go from there. Buy looks of it we aint got much spend in this window so a few cheeky loan deals are the best way of hopefully gettin sum quality while not spending to much and if there crap we can give rm back
Potter Herb So, does that mean we can send Whitehead and Delap back to Sunderland? (KIDDING if any Mackems see this) But Both me thinks are surplus to requirements IF we get Huddlestone and Palacios both FIT and playing every week. Plus we do have Ness and Cameron. For me, those four are miles ahead of the rest, including Whelan as said, he's too slow to get forward or just too slow all round.
What bothers me is these medicals. Everybody wanted us to sign Palacios( me included),but lets be honest lads-----he`s fu---d, I personally think `arry sold us a `pup` and yet he obviously passed our medical---------yet Demba Ba didn`t. I wish it were the other way round because I think Palacios is finished and I hope to God I`m wrong!!!Huddlestone ,as everyone has stated, has got to be an improvement from what we`ve got ,but is he another bench warmer?
Yeh that Demba Ba was a right sheete buy! TP youere right mate it was only a matter of time before the "ticking time bomb" blew his knees out.....
Sorry mate but I dont agree, Palacious has never been given a chance and the only way to get fitness is to play matches, I dont blame Palacious one bit, I blame the manager.
I'm with Ric here.. WHY or how can anyone blame Palacios... I say, give the lad six games to show us where he's at fitness wise. Demba Ba, DON'T get me started. My reletives on Tyneside have laughed at me every time he scores.. I mean there's a bargain then there's Demba Ba!
I wonder what the real situation with WP is ? It appears that he was not fit when we bought him last August window and consequently was hardly ever played and rarely for the full 90mins. I think it was suggested that a full pre-season stint before this season would sort it all but he only came on as a sub late-on against Reading. 10 minute cameos are not going to do Palacios or the team any good. If he is not fit after all this time and with a full pre-season completed then we have a problem. If he is fit and still only sparingly used then the problem is TP as Ric has suggested.
From what I`ve heard Palacios has never been the same player since his brother got murdered and I just wonder if he`s lost the motivation to get 100% fit(of course there`s a difference between being fit and being STOKE fit!!) I agree though, he should be given some full games and give him a proper chance because there`s no doubt we need a good central midfielder, and he was especially good when he was at Wigan.I must admit I was thrilled when we got him but at the moment I`ve got to say he has been the biggest disappointment and he does seem a tad slow.
Joe, Just heard Ally McCoist on SS News saying " Edu has told the Ranger's administrator's, he's talking to STOKE" but that's all he knows. A loan or permanent I don't know?
