The Premier League is like X-Factor verses a band that has worked their asses off gigging in all sundrie of places to get a mere glimpse of the big time. Meaning not the actual X Factor artist but the 'image/shine that is put on it. i.e. Cowell and the bigwigs offering the big money, promoting like mad compared to working for it the honest way with a hard working manager, no airtime, no huge promotion budget etc. However both of the above WANT to be at that top level and some of the 'hard working' get to that level. Then some of those that get there start to become like the mercenary, dishonest, cheating players. Believing their own hype etc. As long as Adkins is there none of our guys will be losing their roots, will not forget where they have travelled from and why they are on the bus. Will remain humble and true to the game. If not they follow Puncheon out of the door, no matter how good they are (or think they are) However I do not long for those premier days of moaning about the diving, feigning, constant speculation on players (more than we have now) and soft referees.
QUOTE=ImpsSaint;1485974]The Premier League is like X-Factor verses a band that has worked their asses off gigging in all sundrie of places to get a mere glimpse of the big time. Meaning not the actual X Factor artist but the 'image/shine that is put on it. i.e. Cowell and the bigwigs offering the big money, promoting like mad compared to working for it the honest way with a hard working manager, no airtime, no huge promotion budget etc. However both of the above WANT to be at that top level and some of the 'hard working' get to that level. Then some of those that get there start to become like the mercenary, dishonest, cheating players. Believing their own hype etc. As long as Adkins is there none of our guys will be losing their roots, will not forget where they have travelled from and why they are on the bus. Will remain humble and true to the game. If not they follow Puncheon out of the door, no matter how good they are (or think they are) However I do not long for those premier days of moaning about the diving, feigning, constant speculation on players (more than we have now) and soft referees.[/QUOTE] Nice analogy. Hope you are right. Don't forget your roots, they are the foundation/support after all
Another Stoke fan here and I think that's what the O.P. was looking for as much as anything our views? To the O.P. Chirs.. Like Old Nick above, I can remember years back, seen Stoke struggle to stay in the Old 2nd Division so my views are similar to those of Nick we're similar age/era and I think that's part a big part of my view on things now that we've reached the Premier Legue. The GOOD things from my angle are.. We get to compete and sometimes beat the supposed best teams.. We have beaten all but Utd and Chelsea since promotion this season we've taken a pt from both of those fixtures. That to me means so much given Stoke's past i.e. the lower league teams as Nick said we used to struggle against them and it's a fantastic feeling when you see YOUR team doing well and playing well against the BEST in the country. You do get to see the better player's/teams and the coverage that comes along with that I enjoy it and don't want to lose that part of it no way. We are able to attract player's of a higher stature i.e. Crouch I think will do well for us so far so good. The bad things I hate... Some of the pundits are so bad it beggars belief.. MOTD really hacks me off because you only get to see at most 15 mins of a game you watched the same day and you would think you had actually been to a different game? Only to have Hansen or Lawro to come out with at times.. utter B******* when reviewing a game. How most of the media portray us as.. a "Strong Physical team" and we "Play that way" they don't even begin to think before putting the brain into gear at times. I doubt they sit and watch all of the games, they can't so IMHO they should not comment and keep it shut. But hey, it's all part of being involved in this league. So, we put up with it we have to. The BEST part of being a fan, of Stoke anyway right now is that.. many fans are now actually applauding us for playing more football, trying to change the way we play which, to be quite honest has not changed that much at HOME anyway since we came up! AWAY is as Nick said, is different.. we defend first and usually try and nick a pt and this applies to ANY team not just the bigger teams.. I hate it but, if it keeps us up I guess again, we tolerate that. Would I miss the Premier League.. You bet I would because I've supported Stoke through good and bad for 50 years and I never thought we would get as far as we have. We are slowly getting more and more respect from all areas which, is the best thing of all. To be back in Europe is fantastic but I look on that as a bonus right now the League and to stay there is more important to me personally than you can imagine. IF the worse ever happens in my lifetime and It might of course.. so be it. But the longer we stay here for me, the better. We of course will NEVER win the League.. but HOW many teams can maybe five, six at best. But, midtable in a tough league maybe not IMHO the filled with the best in the world. But the best we can compete against will do for me. I have a Brother in Law who until last year lived in Dibden so we've both taken an interest in Southampton F.C. and I honestly would love to see you back here along with Stoke of course. Just want to wish you all the best this season, so far fantastic for your fans and club.
As some other people have said, I miss the old First Division, and I wish it was this we were trying to get back into rather than the slime-pit that is the Premier League. Some stats for you: The first season Saints went up to the old Div 1 (1966-67), Man United were the champions. They never won it again, until the Premier League was formed in 1992-93, since when they have been champions 12 times in 19 seasons. Only 4 different clubs have ever won the Premier League. Between 1966-67 and 1991-92 (26 seasons) 9 different clubs were First Division champions, with Liverpool winning 11 times. My point is that the First Division was far more competitive than the Premier League is. I obviously want Saints to get back there, but it would be good to think we had a snowball's chance in hell of actually winning it.
