According to Stoke`s official website, we`ve got Ireland on loan for the rest of the season,but they don`t expect to do any more business in this window. This is a little disappointing because although I`m not unhappy with the new signings I think we need an out and out striker more than any more midfielders. We are still going to be relying on Crouch ,Jones,Jerome and Walters.None of these are very prolific . Sorry also to hear that Cuvelier has gone to Sheff. Utd. None of our youth academy has got anywhere near the first team squad. What does everyone else on here think?
Joe...if I said what I really think, I would get hammered. At least I have no points or rep to lose!! Hey ho
Joe, Surprise, surprise I'm happy enough with what we have signed! This new guy from Germany is a striker and can play wide. I'm not at all worried. Ireland??? He has the experience and can play C half or midfield, not sure on his fitness though. He's got class, he maybe getting on but experience you don't lose that. KTF at least we've got TWO great fullbacks, Assaidi and Pennant is like a new signing plus this big, fast guy up front!
yet again spot on mate, the strikers we have will be fine and the lad from Germany is a striker too. Excellent business done by Mark Hughes who has solved all of the problems that Pulis failed to do in 5 years. UTPsssssssssssss
Not all Ric IMO BUT in 3 games he has restored my FAITH in the Mighty POTTER'S we are now playing FOOTBALL and I for one am happy with that. Take a look at this Winger/Striker guys on youtube. We could? play TWO wingers and Automovic spelling plus A N Other up front, our midfield is solid and the defence is looking far better. Well done MH.
I thought Ireland looked a great player at Man City, never saw him playing for Villa. Don't know what to expect from him really, but at least we've not spent money on him. I'm disapointed Jerome's gone out on loan and that we didn't get another striker in, I'd hoped we'd get Diouf. Arnautovic looks brilliant from the videos I've seen, I think you might be right Potts, he might be used upfront rather than out wide. Wilson, Adam and N'Zonzi all looking good in midfield, and we've got a few wingers to pick from, as most have said before the better service should get Crouch/ Jones scoring more, and if Arnautovic plays like he does in those clips we could be looking at an exciting season.
I dunno Joe...I think it is about some horrible people trying to hurt my tender feelings...'do I not also bleed?' Anyway re Mr Ireland...I cannot stand liars. I seem to remember him missing a game saying he was going ti his Granny's funeral, or not joining up with a squad...something like thst. No points or rep to lose so yah boo sucks.
You must have annoyed someone with major rep! You should get revenge, check who did it, get in the Rep Brothel (on the Newcastle board) til you've got millions of points, then go neg 'em back. Or alternatively, not bother, as it'd probably be quite tedious. But the Newcastle board is a good place to get some points back if you wish, I think there are other boards with rep threads, don't know which though.
Thanks Sandor...it was a Liverpool fan that did the wicked deed...he also came to my house and stole the wheels off my car. I will google the Ireland thing later...I do remember it causing a bit of a hooh hah at the time.
The whole story with Stephen Ireland missing a game is fairly murky water. He pulled out of an Ireland squad for a game in the Czech Republic in 2007 (wow, really doesn't seem that long ago!). He said at the time that it was because it was because his gran had died, so got compassionate leave. It then turned out she hadn't died, he got an angry phone call from Steve Staunton, and he said it was actually his other gran, but it turned out she was still alive as well. What had actually happened was that his girlfriend had miscarried their baby, and hadn't wanted the world to know about it, so they'd made up a lie to get out of having to go to the game. He was absolutely dragged over the coals in Ireland during the whole affair, and made himself unavailable for selection in the future, which I can kind of understand. I'm not sure I'd want to play for free for the enjoyment of people who'd been so harsh to me at such a difficult time of my life. There have been plenty of rumours since about him returning to the international side, but none of them have been true yet. He's said he's interested a couple of times, but the boss has said he hasn't been contacted, and that when he's asked he's been turned down. Nobody quite known what the actual story is, but from a Stoke point of view, at least he won't be getting injured on duty with Ireland
I seem to remember that he said that he couldn`t take the pressure at Manchester City. Expectations were so high and it was affecting his game. Expectations are high at Stoke these days but perhaps we don`t put the same pressure on our players to win games at all costs, any more. I am happy to see Steve at the Brit. Perhaps Mark Hughes can bring the best out of him as he did at Manchester.
So on short Steven Ireland's missus lost a baby, he tried to keep I quiet and got a bollocking for trying to protect her? Not exactly crime of the century was it! Just saying like.
Yep, I think he took such a hammering from the Irish press and public when all that was known was that he'd lied about his Gran, that it killed any desire he had to play for his country. It's a pity, because he was such a fantastic talent, especially then.
Worried that we let Jerome go but I can understand - he has had a torrid time at Stoke. I feel that this may be Hughes first mistake in letting our only pacey striker leave (who can also play on the wing) but I do agree that we have got rid of alot of dross and now have the most capable, competitive and postive midfiled we have had since our promotion - with competition for places aswell. So all in all pretty happy, but a striker in January is a must. I would have liked to have seen TP bring together this squad for the reported 7 million spent.
Stoke midfielder Stephen Ireland admits he is looking to 'stick two fingers up' at several people after ending his Aston Villa hell. Ireland joined the Potters on a season-long from Villa on transfer deadline day to link up again with former Manchester City boss Mark Hughes. The 27-year-old found himself out of favour at Villa and frozen out of the first-team picture under Paul Lambert. Ireland is now looking forward to a fresh start and is determined to prove a point to certain people. "They had two squads, one they wanted to keep and one they didn't, and I was in the second group," Ireland told the Daily Telegraph. "I never called it the Bomb Squad, although a couple of the others, like Darren Bent, took it to heart more than I did. "It was more about self-pride for me. Players were coming up to me saying think of all the days off, you must love it, all the booze and parties. "It's been a difficult few months but now I've never been so determined to prove a point. There are quite a few people I want to stick two fingers up at." Stephen Ireland "But I'm not like that, I'm a family person and I just had to keep myself in good nick. A lot of the players couldn't believe I wasn't playing. "It's been a difficult few months but now I've never been so determined to prove a point. There are quite a few people I want to stick two fingers up at." Despite his treatment at Villa, Ireland insists he doesn't hold any grudges against Villa manager Lambert. "I don't hold any grudges against Paul," added Ireland. "He made it clear why the decision had been made but I understand all the reasons behind it. "I've said the wrong thing to managers in the past but there was no remorse from me. I expected it when I came back into pre-season and I didn't kick up a fuss."
As Ireland has a point to prove this should be shrewd business, he can take a game by the scruff of the neck and make things happen when on form.
