http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/story-13853091-detail/story.html? STOKE City have signed up Ryan Shotton on a new four-year contract â and are in negotiations over extended deals for Robert Huth and Glenn Whelan. Both Huth and Whelan have 18 months left on their present deals, but City boss Tony Pulis is eager to have their long-term futures signed and sealed. Huth's willingness to talk fresh terms, despite having 18 months left on his present agreement, suggests a desire to stay at the Britannia despite being overlooked at centre-half this season. But any breakdown in negotiations with Stoke's current player-of-the-year will alert parties monitoring his recent failure to command a regular place. Pulis said: "Both Huthy and Glenn have been a big part of what we have achieved and this is something we would like to sort out." Today's news follows last week's revelation that goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen has also been offered a new two-year contract. Shotton, pictured below, who was being chased by both Ipswich and Burnley in the summer, has signed up to improved terms that will see him through to 2015. The new deal caps a fine few months for the Fenton-born Academy graduate after scoring in both domestic and European football while playing in a variety of positions. The 23-year-old defender, who is represented by former City skipper Clive Clarke, will now remain at Stoke until at least January before Pulis decides whether to send him out on loan. "He's done well, especially in the Europa League, and we have been pleased with his progress," said Pulis. "The best thing about Shotts is that he can run around, so you can put him almost anywhere on the pitch. "He's still got a very long way to go though, and must continue working hard on his game and learning from those around him. "I think it's fantastic for the football club to have a young, local lad doing well. "The Premier League is a world league these days, not a British league any more, and to have a young lad coming through is a massive, massive bonus. "Sending Shotts out on loan is a no-go at the moment because of the Europa League and the FA Cup, but it's something we will look at later in January." Pulis returned to the club for first-team training yesterday after taking time out to watch France beat the United States 1-0 in Paris last Friday. Whelan plays in Ireland's Euro 2012 qualifier in Dublin tonight when they take a 4-0 lead over Estonia into tonight's second leg. Jon Walters, a scorer in the first leg, is on the bench. "I'm really pleased for the lads that they look like getting through," said Pulis, "particularly after the way Ireland were cheated out of qualifying for the last World Cup by France." Kenwyne Jones netted a consolation goal for Trinidad & Tobago as they failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup after going down 2-1 to Guyana, for whom former Potters defender Leon Cort was among the scorers.
Good news for Shotton, but I find the whole Huth scenario very strange. Why would he want to sign a new contract with they way he was pissed about at the start of last season (RB in favour of an unfit and out of form Faye) and this seasons clamity? I hope he does, but not at the expense of his career! Not fussed either way on Whelan, but it would indicate that our ever capable manager thinks that Whelan is good enough, so would that mean no more midfileders for Stoke?
Whelan make that another +1 he's not good enough often enough. GREAT new's as I think Shotton although he's still learning shows bags of willingness and can only improve. Smither's we've yet to see Whitehead/Palacios/Pennant and Ether's for long enough.. I think? that could work but, we certainly need better player's than Diao, Delap etc. I'm worried because I honestly think that T.P. thinks we're almost there... IMO we are way off the pace we need because it's 3 seasons plus, and we SHOULD have a much, much better passing/footballing Midfield. Huth? I really hope he stays but can understand why he must be totally P***** OFF! Tuncay? who will be next as I heard a VERY strong comment from a former Stoke player he said, quote.. "BOTH Etherington AND Pennant have told T.P. they are sick and tired of playing negative football" I bet they are and it does say something as to why Ether's does not seem like the player he was..
Surprised and disappointed that Glenn is getting so much criticism. To be fair to the guy, his form from March through to September was superb and one of the biggest reasons why we had such a good run between the West Ham cup game and Arsenal game in May was down to Whelan playing so brilliantly in the midfield. Yes I'll admit that he can be inconsistent, and has performed poorly of late but to be fair most of the team have performed poorly over the past month or so, and this is Glenn's first bad run in a long time, plus he is playing an awful lot of games at the moment. It might be an idea to rest him for Palacios today, but despite Palacios' pleas, I'm not sure whether Pulis thinks he's fit yet.
