Well there are lots of off-field goings on between TP and the local media, which to me needs to be nipped in the bud ASAP. There is also a widening rift between the fans over the standard of football played (particularly away). there are those who are simply happy with where we are and those who believe we have now peaked under current management. We have the 3 year plan which comes to an end this season. So I believe that Mr Coates needs to stand up and enlighten us of what to expect for the next 5 years. I also believe that if between now and the end of season PC as not reiterated his full support and future backing of TP we could very likely see a changing of the guard in the Summer. One way or another PC needs to show a bit of leadership.
I do actually believe we have peaked under Tone, I just cannot see us taking us on. Let's put this into context, Pulis has spent ã75m in 3 seasons and we're still going to sides like Birmingham, who are as good as us, still playing for draws, and we sell our best ball player in Tuncay. I feared that when we sold Tuncay that the football would become a lot worse, and so far it has, it has been awful. You'd think after spending ã75m we would have a midfielder playmaker and a forward who can score goals in this league but we haven't. I am not a Pulis hater, I admire the man, but I think Coates really needs to consider the fact ã75m of his family's money has been spent and the football is no better, which is what Pulis promised us, that the football would get a lot better. We have taken a real backwards step since last season, we were a much better team last season.
PC does seem to be in the shadow a little bit, (who knows maybe he is Pottermus!!) - but I think some people are taking these 'problems' a little too far, were not in any sufficent debt, I'M (the only one?) who is pretty confident we'll stay up, and were a confident side, not like the OLD Stoke, who would just roll over and die when the opposition scored. I mean jesus man, even the bottom club aren't worrying as much as we are! Were ninth, not being funny, but what's done is DONE. End of? We've got too focus on the PRESENT, yes, it was terrible when Tuncay left, but that is in the PAST now, not saying erase everything he did for the club, just saying, prioritize what is to come from the club, not the past.
Jub - Consider this question. We are at the end of the "3 Year Plan" that Coates and Pulis devised. The latter said that we would look to kick on if we stayed up for the 3 years. Now consider this Jub, can we really improve under Pulis, can he take us any further? Our transfer team still seems very naive and it is clear that players (unless they are desperate or are being kicked out) do not want to join Stoke because of our style of play. Maybe if we had a more respected manager, i.e. Martin O'Neill then we would be more successful at bringing players in who would massively improve our squad and still keep our wage structure in tact.
I think players do not want to join us because of the wage most probably, football is a money-orientated game, and even though, I hope, we pay them fairly, footballers just want more and more, and they pressume that a club 'like Stoke' won't suit their wallet, and obviously they will go to bigger clubs. But I do agree with you we do have a reputation with pundits and obviously fans, about our style of play, but to be honest Sarge, we have done for a while.. We've had this reputation for quite some time, but still we have players like Tuncay who (even through all his rants etc) DID join us, we have players like KJ who HAVE joined us, and no players seems particulary unhappy with Stoke at the moment. I think people just need to stop thinking : "End of 3 year plan, Tony out" - because he can make a difference to the squad, and carry on producing a strong, hard-working team. This thread is a question of, I don't like Tony or I don't like our style of play? It will take A LOT OF TIME, before Stoke stop playing 'long ball' - (the long ball game has never bothered me, we get results, were ninth.. Ta-da) - bringing in a new manaer won't automatically change things. Interesting how you mention Martin O'Neil as he would DEFINETELY be my second choice after Tone. Top bloke He'd defo manage Wales on day will Martin. Great minds think alike, ey Sarge?
Sgt not sure I concur re the issues of expenditure-may have spent quite a lot but the players are worth quite a lot. I think there is a lot of unfair comments about TP and expenditure. PC would not let any one fritter away his money, he is far too good a business man for that and overall he seems to have spent well. Posted this on 606 in response to comments about how much TP has had to spend and hope it gives some balance to the debate. Interesting stats-since we have been in the premier league we have been 6th in terms of net expenditure 2008/9, 3rd in 2009/10, and 8th in 2011. http://www.transferleague.co.uk/transfer-fees-v-league-positions/premier-league-2007-2011.html You would expect that a new club would spend far more than they would bring in, in the first few years as they would enter the PL with a squad made up of lower league players. They would move on some of those players and sign others that were in the PL or had played in the PL, hence Huth, Tuncay, Jones, Etherington, Pennant etc. Those players cost far more than those that leave the club in the first 2 or 3 years. I think to survive we have had to spend this type of money and currently look as if we have spend ã43m or so net over those years. However the squad is worth in excess of ã70million pounds on current market valuation http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/stoke-city/kader/verein_512.html. I think TP has had a good budget to spend but mostly the players we have in the squad are worth more or roughly the same as what we paid for them.
Northern, that was NOT the point of my original thread on 606 (wash my mouth out with soap and water). It was merely in response to those posters who idolise TP and are/were forever telling us how well he has done with little money!! It is simply NOT true, he has a serious budget, unlike many in the Premier League, I am not trying to compare with current worth, because of the 'bit' part players in the squad, we could NOT give them away - Diao etc anybody, thought not
Yep, I realised that but I think he has done a good job with the money he has been given and it depends whether you think that what he has spent is a lot in PL terms for a club that came up and was expected to go down. I think he has had a reasonable budget and PL players cost silly money. When you get promoted you need an overhaul and slowly but surely he has been trying to do it.
I thought the board was gonna have its first argument then! Haha but your both top blokes, so your sorted
I was intending on going to the "Meet the Chairman" at the Stadium this week, due to working nights I didn't make it. I did read the sentinel which wasn't that informative to be honest. Apart from quotes from Mr Coates. " If we fill in the corner/corners of the Stadium, would be able to fill the seats" " It would cost, I think it was in the region of 5 million quid" " Tuncay wanted to play regular football, Tony didn't see how he could accomodate Tuncay. And, he wanted to go and play in Germany" NOTHING I did read mentioned the position of Pulis as manager. Good posts from Northern and Spartacus. I am not a Pulis lover,nor do I hate him. Our first season was simply magnificent no question. Mr Coates gave Tony enough and we stayed up when all others said, we would not. FULL credit to Mr P for that. 2nd season, we kept hearing, 2nd season syndrome will catch up with you Stoke City and we the fans heard it big time. Again, we stayed up, with relative ease. This season, bad start then, we had a great run which saw us climb the table and I'm still not sure why this was? Was it because teams like Everton, West Ham, Liverpool never thought I would be saying Liverpool tbh. Have all had terrible seasons, by their standards. So, to sumerise, 9th before today's games is fantastic. My worry is this. We sold Tuncay whom was actually showing his truth value/worth as a player given that he was playing on a more regular basis. We sold him and I think we ALL knew it was going to happen eventually. Eider G? WHY we did sign him I will never understand but likes said, that's history we move on. I do NOT enjoy the "style" the "system" the "negative" way that Tony P seem's to go about things but, it does work, is working and I only HOPE and PRAY that we improve our midfield during the summer. Selling Tuncay was fair enough. Then we go to Liverpool and he plays Diao? THAT is when I get angry and upset with Tony Pulis. IF we did attack teams away from home, teams like, Bolton we were robbed, Wigan we got 3pts great. Games in this league and never easy, but WHY does Mr Pulis ALWAYS tell us the fans and the media just " How good" HE thinks the opposition are BEFORE games? That to me, sends out a negative message to both our team and us, the fans. I will support ANY player who pulls on the Red and white stripes always and for ever. But, unless Mr Pulis improves our midfield because let's face facts, apart from Whitehead I don't think the others are good enough anymore. Diao, Delap sorry but your time is done now IMHO anyway. Money isn't everything, you can't buy passion, commitment, heart, guts and some decent footie which, we can play IF we are allowed too given the right players on the pitch at the right time. Do well enough. IF Mr P does that, I think we will be O.K. this season. If he doesn't six pts above real trouble isn't that great. But, it could me a LOT WORSE right now. Either way, let's see what happens during the Summer. We have both Pennant and Etherington on contracts. Me, I would like to see some REAL quality in midfield. Do that Tony and I'm sure we would move forward to that "next level" as I type Bolton have just beaten a very good Everton side 3 Zip? THAT would not have happened a year or so back! Just shows that with the right player's YOU can IMPROVE, take note Tony here's hoping he does.
