I know TP has his knockers but on a serious note guys who else cud do what he is doing at the level we are at ! F a cup final Europa top 8 at mo ! We are growin as a club at a steady rate perhaps too quick ! Simply the question is to u guys is ... Who else could do this with SCFC ? Where cud we go from here ? Its virtually impossible to get into the top 6 so where do we go from here ? We are after all 8th ! Questions im not sure we can answer really or truthfully ? Personal choice perhaps ? Thoughts ?
I'm thinking Nick might suggest David Moyes. You can't argue with what we have achieved and where we are. However, some will point out that they would prefer a better standard of football, especially away from home, and that given the budget with which Pulis has been provided, it might have been possible to achieve the same as Pulis while playing football of a better quality. I would agree with this point of view, but I'm not one of the 'Pulis out' brigade (yet) as I acknowledge what he has done to get us where we are and I prepared to suffer some of the dross we have to watch to maintain our position amongst 'the elite'. Unfortunately, this season I have seen evidence of our tactics being more ineffective than in previous seasons and I am not sure whether or not Pulis is able or willing to change the way he likes the game to be played. I don't know how long he should be given to show that he is able to grow and develop the football that we play, but I suppose it must have something to do with our league position. While that remains healthy, he will have my full support, but should we find ourselves fighting relegation and continuing to employ tactics that don't work then my allegiance might well change. This has been written after the consumption of rather a lot of alcohol, so I apologise if I have rambled...
What Pulis needs is a decent right hand man. I think after Peter Reid left he was devoid of ideas and I personally don't think Dave Kemp has the pedigree to be that right hand man. Pulis seems like a guy to me that does not know what his best side is or how to line his side up against tougher opposition. I think a good second in command with prem experience would help Puis along the path to Stoke legendary status. But is T.P. too arrogant or stubborn to accept this? I don't know!
Morning Smit and all, Yup - Moyes does get my vote, what he has achieved at Evertoin season after season is remarkable, virtually no budget, brings on youngsters, Rooney anybody? Vaughn (sp) was a great prospect before that nasty injury!! They play good football etc. Not so long ago he was being touted as Fergies successor at United. I also like the look of Wigan's Martinez, if they were consistent they would be knocking on the top 10 door, perhaps we could do a double deal for him AND Rodellega They always have a go, let's just hope that the 'other' Wigan turn up on Saturday! As Waddo said on another thread that managing Stoke is "just a job", I tend to agree with this, there does appear to be a lack of rapport with the fans at games. I also agree that he does need a strong No2, again as said, he does not seem to know is best side and as for the farcial picking of his 'golden boys' - enough has been said about that and I have nothing constructive to add. So, what have we got? A manager who despite a relatively successful Stoke career, is an extremely devisive figure, this has got to be because of the mostly negative, defensive and boring football, despite having spent virtually £100 million. Could somebody else have achieved the same - probably, last season GETTING to the FA cup final seemed to be the height/limit of his ambition, I have never been so disappointed with Stoke, NOT just because we lost, but because of the way we played - dreadfully, without passion or purpose. Finally, thanks for your patience - if you are still with me, but no surprise here, Pulis is not my cup of tea!
Firstly I would just like to say that I am on TP positive at the moment afterour recent run of results! Could another manager have achieved the same or more than TP? I think TP getting us promoted was exceptional and there would be very few other manages who could have done what he did in that promotion year! After that is where the debate begins! Personally, I feel that any decent manager would have achieved at least the same results (or better) with the amount of money he has spent - remember, we are the 3rd highest NET spending team over the the past 3 years! What I will say, is that I don't think any other manager couldachieve the same results with the style and team TP has uses/created - I Sontag know if that is good or bad? I also agree that when Reid left we seem to have less composure and creativity!
Of course that is THE point Smithers, whatever we would have or end up with, would NOT be a Pulis type team!! For better or for worse. Most managers evolve, Pulis has NOT, look at his tactics with Gillingham and Plymouth (see my thread on that) - a very fit team, two rows of four, a whacking great big front man and a nippy winger - sound familiar? The only difference now is that he has spent some £100 million!!! The man is INCAPABLE of change, and as long as PC is around, so will Pulis - like it or not! I of course wish PC a long and healthy life, even if it does mean Pulis staying!! Finally, I know the analogy with Charlton and their fan's being unhappy with Curbishley's style etc and yes you should be careful what you wish for - BUT we come back to the little matter of that pesky £100 million, or at least I do!!
