Cheers Potts! I had to check the last time I posted, and it was over a year ago, been a hectic time for me, have left my job and moved house 4 times since then! I've been pretty frustrated with Pulis and his tactical choices since then, sure one of my last posts was about how great it was to see Pennant back in the team! We all know how things have gone since then, I can't remember the last time we player with a proper attacking player wide on the right. I never hated Pulis as much as some of the people on here seemed to. I'm excited and a bit nervous about our new manager, whoever it is, but I definitely think Mark Hughes would be a step backwards. We need evolution, not revolution. I'd be happy with someone who played: Begovic Wilko...Huth...Shawcross...**THE NEW BLOODY LEFT BACK WE'VE BEEN AFTER FOR SIX SEASONS** **New right wing**...Nzonzi...Adam...**New left wing** Jerome...Walters
I read an interview a while back where Matty thanked Tony Pulis for helping him get over his gambling addiction. It's understandable that he wants to show loyalty to him now.
Not a bad team that Peadar WELCOME back Didn't realise it was that long! Anyone but not Mark Hughes unless Mr Coates give him some cash. I didn't hate Pulis, just his horrible tactics. He's a decent bloke but an bloody awful Manager IMHO. I'm excited because it's a new era and could the football be any worse Peadar? I doubt it. Whoever comes in we HAVE to BACK HIM. The fans of course. Let's hope for some exciting times ahead for SCFC.
I think alot of issues have with Hughes is that he thinks he is better than he is and I feel that this is where TP let himself down towards the end of his reign - he was always reeling off his CV as if to reiterate that we were indebted to him. Its probably why quieter managers with a little more carisma seem to be more likeable and hence the fans buy into them more. The less offensive they are the easier the ride.
I've said it before, I'd prefer to see Stoke win ugly than lose pretty. When Stoke were playing "ugly" football, but were well-drilled, hard-working, and looked dangerous going forwards from set pieces, I loved it. It was only when Pulis started making bad decisions rather than ugly decisions that I started to think maybe we'd be better off with someone else. Liam Lawrence was not a "pretty" footballer. He was a blunt instrument, he was aggressive, but he did a really good job for us on the right. Or Delap, whose throws created more good crosses into the box than a top winger could have hoped. Ugly football, but it made sense, and I didn't mind at all. Walters as a right winger on the other hand, offered nothing really except running, and it's that sort of decision I was against.
I would argue that when were supposedly playing our ugly brand of football we were actually playing better and decent football. We were creating more chances - its no shock that we won more games and scored more goals in our second season because of it. Its not ugly to be up and at em with width and pace and fireing balls into the box. Its ugly to merely defend and create limted (and in some games none) chances which is where we ended up towards the end. Thats why the fans were fully behind TP in the early years of our prem campaign. It didnt matter to us if we won or lost, it mattered that we competed and attempted to win - something that was sadly lacking towards the end.
Amen to that, we've all said the first 3 years approx. we're brilliant for Stoke City, it's the last 2 seasons that have *ISSSED me OFF. Wingers and a very good fullback I think we'll be fine. Just my own thoughts but... whom we now appoint I don't know. If he let's the lads loose, plays to their strengths, has a go and we try i'll be happy with that.
Get the RIGHT Manager in and the Brit will be rocking, there is no doubts about it. Got my Season Ticket by the way Jowler. My mate's had that one and I now have my seat back. DON'T let me down now Mr Coates please.
