Whilst I understand why some won’t be happy with this signing, I think this is a good deal for us. I know he’s had injury troubles but if Pulis can get him fit then he will be excellent backup. If Pulis cannot get Woodgate fit then I think he might as well retire. http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2390392,00.html
If you get him fit, he's second only to Vidic in the league, he's an incredible defender. That's the biggest IF since records began mind...
Best of luck with that mate, if you can get him fit, for nowt, he could be one of the signings of the summer.
Woodgate may get fit,but I think it will be almost impossible for him to get `Tony Pulis` type fit,remember Gudjohnson!! I don`t think `arry would have let him go if there was any chance of him getting fit enough for the Prem., I hope I`m wrong,but even if he does get `TP` fit where will he play because if he`s on a pay by play deal he`ll be demanding to play!!! Could cause a bit of conflict in the dressing-room
Our CB's without ryan & rob Collins Higgo Davies Shotton I would defo take even a 60% fit woodgate over them everday.
I doubt this will be our only centre back signing. I get the feeling Pulis will want another just in case things go wrong with Woodgate.
http://twitter.com/#!/OptaJoke/status/90422359332368384 @OptaJoke OptaJoke 10 - After signing his contract for Stoke City, Jonathan Woodgate has been ruled out for 10 weeks with a wrist injury. Sprain.
http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2390507,00.html JONATHAN WOODGATE is putting his faith in the reputation of Stoke City's medical team as he seeks a fresh start in English football . . . after manager Tony Pulis singled that out as a key factor in the decision to sign the England defender. Pulis is confident that City's excellent backroom team can manage the 31-year-old's defender's fitness well enough to get the best out of a player who has experienced more than his fair share of injury troubles over the past couple of seasons. Woodgate echoed those thoughts after putting pen to paper on a one year contract securing his move to the Britannia Stadium on a free transfer. "It was important for me to work hard on my fitness during the summer because I wasn't sure where I would be playing and I knew that would decide my future. So hopefully I can stay fit now because I feel I still have a lot to offer at this level," he said. "With the back-up from the medical and sports science department which they have here at Stoke, that can only help my prospects of doing that." He added: "I was thrilled when Tony Pulis asked me to come and join the Club. I'd spoken to him a couple of times about the progress that Stoke have made over the past three seasons and his plans for the future in aiming to build on that success." The former Leeds United, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur star is relishing the prospect of playing in the Europa League this season and certainly highlighted that as one of the reasons for choosing to make the move to the Potteries. "I like playing in Europe; it's a different type of football," he added. "I've got quite a bit of experience of playing at that level and I can't wait to get started here." Woodgate is also looking forward to linking up with his former Middlesbrough team-mate Robert Huth when City return from Austria later this week. "Robert had an outstanding season last year and he also did well for Middlesbrough when we were there together," he said. "He's a great guy."
Brucie's Beak IF, is the longest F****** word in the English Dictionary mate.. more chance of me being "Pulis fit" BAD signing in my oppinion. HOPE I'm so, so wrong with this.
Er - Jack Charlton is up for grabs Jose!!!! In all seriousness, when Woodgate and Rio played together and WHEN Woodgate was fit, in my opinion he was the BEST footballing Centre Half in Europe. There are unfortunately TWO operative words WHEN and IF
Nick The Romans taught us how to build a road in a straight line Other than that, not much I suppose.
With so many games missed in recent seasons I wonder if he still has the mental as well as the physical ability to cope with the rigours of the Premier League.
