Having not posted for a few days, for various reasons. I have listened to reports regarding the following... Martinez leaving Wigan for Liverpool, he is, he isn't he might be? Latest is that Brendan Rodgers looked favorite last night but according to SS News, Swansea are stalling over compensation? NOW? I've just heard that Norwich Manager has I use the word ( reportedly) " walked out" as he wants to talk to another club? Aston Villa? When all said and done, somehow, something keeps telling me. This could damage both Swansea and Liverpool, Rodgers IF he signs may not do as well at Liverpool and Swansea need another guy coming in? Norwich, not sure what to think as Villa need another guy in charge. It could be Holloway, Martinez COULD still be going to Swansea, he left them for Wigan if I remember? So, ARE we as Stoke fans good or bad as Pulis may be and he HAS kept us UP. Better off just keeping hold for now and just go with it next season? Me? Although I hate the way we approach most games will say YES Stay for another SEASON. Am I being paranoid, or just thinking a change just might make things far worse IF as some of wanted. Mr Pulis OUT, GONE, ASAP during the close season. NOW? I think we're best to stick and NOT twist. Go with the hand we we're dealt when TP came back....? Thoughts on this from fellow Stokie's but all are welcome of course from other clubs of those I mentioned. I expect the usual WUM'S to crawl out if they read this. But, it's well worth thinking/debating. This could be VERY interesting.. over to you guys! Pott's
I dont think what else is going in the prem should really affect our Club. However I do feel that this will play into TP's hands for next season. Norwich and Swansea under their current management would have been a cert to remain in the prem (IMO) but if they both go then those clubs could struggle. Ultimatley this means that we can probably just plod along an be OK!
I hear what you say crazy, but things have got to be pretty desperate to drop a manager mid season. If we are sitting well and truely rooted in the bottom 3 then it would be tough to get back. For me you give him to October/November, and if things are tripe, get someone else in who make a difference and stable the ship throught to the january transfer window! The right thing to do is change now and give a new manager all summer to work the transfer window and the squad - I dont by choice like mid season sackings, they generally end up in relegation!
Smithers, Good call, you have got to give the new guy a chance to get the people he thinks he needs in.
All good points raised so far guys! One thing I don't agree with is SACKING any Manager mid season. Wolves? I honestly think they would have survived had M M not left but it proved to be a disaster. Also picking up on Smither's comment about Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers?? OK they are not same style, better player's all round than we have but as for Swansea? He knew the player's they knew him = great season for them. Let's see now it's confirmed that Rodgers has left. Same with Norwich and of course Aston Villa. The ONLY thing I see as a possitive here at Stoke right now is that... T.P. SOME HOW seem's to keep us up. Biggest disappointment for me was, we we're 8th OK it was a false position BUT we NEVER did anything after that really. We SHOULD have pushed on and we did'nt do that. Here's hoping... yet ANOTHER summer where I guess it's a wait and see what TP can come up with player wise. If we start well I think? we will be OK but if we happen to have a difficult run of fixtures to start off with i.e. Bolton did last season and never recovered? Have a great Summer one and all.
It doesn`t matter how much we speculate ,as long as PC holds the purse strings( and where would we be without him? PC I mean) Tony Pulis is here to stay.Unfortunately,I think he has` lost the plot`. I feel really despondant about recent developments. His tactics are dire,his preference for certain players may be noble because they ` work `ard` but their abilities are very limited, yet they get on the team sheet all the time. Actually,when you look at the squad,does it inspire you? Who`ve we got that can create goalscoring chances,and then who`ve we got who can take them? To retain the services of Woodgate,yet allow a young talent like Ben Marshall to go is stupid beyond words in my opinion. His main criteria for players is,` who can run around all day?`Anybody with footballing skills is crushed.Players like Arismendi,will never ,it seems,get a regular chance in the team, yet Delap,Whelan and Whitehead are preferred.Even Diao,for G--`s sake`has been preferred!! One positive move has been Cuvelier re-signing BUT will he give him a chance of first team football,on current evidence the answer must be no! I have to agree Potts about him staying,but I honestly believe we wiil go down unless he drastically changes the squad and tactics--and that `ain`t gonna `appen`!!
You Stokies are far too pessimistic. You have 2 quality 'keepers, a solid backline with the likes of Huth and Shawcross. A decent midfield, a good player in Whelan but arguably needs quality. Good frontline, Crouch and Walters in particular, with decent cover too. That team is far too good to be relegated. Sign a couple of fullbacks and 1/2 midfielders and the only way is up!
That's what ike saying!! Watching Pulisball get depressing, but ain't all doom and gloom. And Diao has been released this season, which to me at the very least means Palacios is going to feature more, and everyone else (midfield wise) had dropped down a place,in the pecking order.
Spurs Hate to argue BUT, our midfield is worse than useless.. Whelan? maybe with another couple of GOOD and I mean very GOOD player's and your'e not far out. And we don't have enough full backs. Huth spent half the season playing right back. Wilkinson OK who else? Wilson is a midfielder otherwise we need to improve massively in both defence and midfield. I don't think Tony Pulis knows what " Creative" or "attacking midfielder" means. SORT that and we're on the up.
Canary, you are 100% right! We have a decent team but............ 1. TP doesn't play our best team! 2. TP plays them out of positions so they are less effective. 3. TP is tactically ******ed! And the 2 fullbacks and midfileder we need, have neen needed since we got promoted! Speaks volumes!