Given the choice as Chairman, would you rather have attractive football ala Martinez and get relegated? Or the Pulis version and get just over 40 points per season and stay in the PL? Being totally honest with myself, I really don't know. I thought it was a non brainer, good football every time...but would I really want relegation and perhaps do a Wolves? No grey area, a straight choice! How about you ?
That's a tough question Nick it was debated last night on Five live after the Wigan game. "Good football for me every time" and with Pulis we will NEVER get that consistently( I can remember approx. 5 games I did enjoy this season, one of which was Liverpool at home) which is why at the minute. I've not renewed my season ticket. It would have hacked me off big time had we gone down with this clown in charge though.
We've put up with it this season same as you and Hughton has drawn flack for it.I think much of it was from those who thought we would get relegated.Personally don't want to see more of it although we were forced into it pretty much to survive this year.
Cruyff Do you think it was the change in Manager that caused you (Norwich) problems this season? Because until you know who went to Villa, I always liked the way you played. With 2 wide men. We've both scraped by this season. And with Pulis in charge I would be bricking it next season but will NOT PAY to watch that garbage under Pulis. IF and it's a massive IF he go's I will be back ASAP until then SCFC as a club can " Jog off" The sad thing for us was that we were EIGTH and looking good then Pulis and his negativity sent us into free fall. In short we need a new Manager/new ideas next season. Do you think Houghton will be in charge next season? Many of you're fans like us we're saying they were sick of him? and the way he sent out not to lose. Pulis Mk2 ?
Good points guys, each and every one of you...But ANSWER THE QUESTION - up or down. When it comes to the crunch it is not an easy choice. You all know where I stand about football and I have been an anti-pulis guy from the very first day he set foot in our club. I still do not know the answer to my question. Good innit?
I think if we put personal emotions to one side (i.e. Little Hitler) remaining in the premership should take priority over pretty much everything else - and even the style of football. However (as always) this isnt the real question. The question is, given the money, squad and Chairman - would this season's resulst been equalled or bettered by A another manager? If that is a clear YES then for me your question becomes relevant. I think its fair to say that even the most dedicated and avid of TP supporters would be unable to formulate an argument that the any other manager couldnt have achieved saftey with the squad TP has/had available.
Nicky If you asking me for a YES or a NO.. can I sit on the bench.? I'm with Stokie Lad as under the Icelanders (Good un) never could spell it, we did attack and it no one can say it was boring. They score we score one more! The Prem brings you money but what's the point IF we're all hacked off every week? IMHO there is no point in just surviving. Will they remember Stoke, a n other team in 50 years no. Will they say... Wigan won the cup in 2013 of course they will. I would play for the win every week, law of averages with a half decent team/squad say's you will win more pts than you lose.
OK Smithers, take the point but yes or no. Well done StokieLad. It's not losing it's how we lose, that's my problem. Since Waddington left, the best stuff for me was from Lou's side, even in a lower division, it was exciting stuff, great to watch and even the neutral's said so, Pulis out. I am keeping my Sig and Avatar till he is out of this football club. Just read your post Potts, quite correct, bring back Lou Ooooh that will teach him a lesson eh??
A poll on our board was about 70 to 7 in favour of keeping Hughton.As for your question about Lambert,in a word yes.Lambert is a top class manager with a great footballing philosophy that was always going to at best a hard act to follow.Personally I am pleased that he has kept Villa up although many of our lads wated to see him fail.My only quibble is that if he had stayed another season he could have had Everton.
I would choose to stay up every time, no matter how bad the football is. Remember, not only would we not be playing against teams like Manu, Chelsea, Arsenal etc, we would also loose our best players and have a team FULL of Championship players. At least at the moment we only have HALF a team made up of Championship players
Nick I wouldnt want to cut my nose off to spite my face, so I would rather stay up and play **** football. My decission isnt just related to the club I love (and you know my thoughts on how the club is currently being run), its all the associated benefits that would affect the City, be that local business, regeneration or just plain old putting us back on the map. I still stand by my point that we could have played in a total opposite style and at least equalled our current points haul, so the question in a way becomes void because we would not have been relegated, got 40+ points and scored more goals in a more expansive style. I dont want to detract from your thread because I understand the point you are making and I am fully supportive, but the simple answer is there is a hatful of managers in the top two leagues who would have done a better job - simples!
A really good debate going on with this thread. Just goes to show there is NOT a straight Yes or NO answer. Just a huge grey area of ifs, what ifs and maybes. Wigan were in the PL for 8 seasons!! It also explains why Pulis is still in a job. As you say Smithers - simples
Good football for me, the weekend and the match had supposed to be about enjoying yourself and recharging for the coming week, it's about great entertainment and going over it with your mates , sharing the experience with your kids and them becoming as ardent supporters as you are, you don't get that watching Pulisball!!
Staying in the Premier League for me. If we were relegated it could be a long time before we got back up. Pulis has achieved that but IMO if he stays he has got to change his style otherwise we will go down next season. We need top quality players here but we will struggle to keep any that we currently have and to attract new ones if he persists with the current style. Would another manager have done better this year with the squad of players we have? I would like to think so but of course we will never know
I always thought it would be hard to get out of the Championship........ but Wolves made it look really easy
I agree with what you are saying he (has) done a brilliant job but.. Only last week I heard Denis Smiths say " IMO Stoke need to change but Tony Pulis can not" That's a quote from the Legend that is. IF he thinks we need to move forward with new ideas, which can only come from a new Manager there is something badly wrong with the way Pulis is handling certain player's. Usually, as we've all found out... Tuncay, Gudjonssen etc? Simple really if he can not change then surly his time is up.
Ye didn't have to confirm that Smithers. I think that ye msy have give a tiny smidgen if your feelings a couple of times recently!
