First things first. I am not a 'Pulis Out' man. I am a Stoke fan that appreciates evrything that TP (and PC) has done for the club. And, having followed Stoke since 1989, I think that the current Stoke first XI is the best we've had in that time. With players of the calibre of Begovic, Shawcross, Huth, Etherington, Whitehead, Pennant, Fuller and Carew (not to mention the recently departed Tuncay!!!) - I think we can make the top 10 of the Prem this year, with a bit of luck! My problem lies with the number of players simply not good enough to wear our beloved red and white stripes in the Prem, who make up our squad. I've divided these up into three categories; Players that should never get on the pitch again in a Stoke strip, Players that should only play in cup games against lower opposition/make up the bench if need be, and players on which the jury is now well and truly out. Players that should never wear the stripes again: - Diao (past it and can't pass for toffee) - Walters (works hard, can head a ball, but is slow, plodding and offers very little ie 'The New Cresswell'...yes I'm not a fan of him to say the least!) - Sidibe (love the big man but come on...he's not even close to Prem quality) Players for cup games only: - Tonge (bad signing, looks Championship quality at best) - Collins (has flattered to deceive at times but is caught out way too often) - Soares (never really had a chance but looks very average) Players for whom the jury is out: - Sorensen (too old, injury prone, lacking confidence) - Wilkinson (gotta love his attitude but is he really going to cut it in the prem with quality wingers against him?) - Whelan (Ok at everything, really good at nothing) - Higginbotham (surely just back up in defence) - Faye (brilliant at his best, a total liabilty at times though) I'm really not a moaner and I will always fully support whoever runs out onto the pitch in our colours. However, i am a realist and think that if we need to move on, we need a stronger squad. So fellow Stokies...opinions?
This is just my opinion, I feel could get some stick for this Who should stay? Begovic Higginbotham Huth Collins Whelan Wilson Pennant Shawcross Whitehead Walters Carew Etherington Wilkinson Sorensen Shotton Marshall Lund Jury Out Pugh Delap Fuller Nash Moult Who should leave? Jones Soares Diao Davies Sidibe Tonge Arismendi
Agree with most of yours Sarge, but I'd say Fuller should stay, I think he's got another season in him, if he wants it. Unsure of Jones, I was always a fan of his until I saw him play every week! Also Soares, not seen enough of him to say, but when he came on against Cardiff he seemed ok, he's got strength, bit of pace and seems confident on the ball. But Diao I think should be kept on, but not as a player, his reading of the game and tackling are great, but he can't pass more than 3 yards, unless its back into our own box, it'd be good if he had a coaching role, so he can pass on what he's got to someone with more ability. There's that and his academies in Senegal, could help bring in some decent youths. That's what I thought was meant to be happening when he re-signed anyway, but he's made his way back into the team somehow. . .
I think Pugh would be a better option at left back than either Higgy or Collins, I really like him as a player
Mmmm, Fuller and Delap bench, only brought on for last 20 mins if needed. Diao, Jones and Davies shown the door. Plus a lot of others but those three first I like Pugh but he never gets settled for long enough.
but he's made his way back into the team somehow. . . And so soon after a lengthy lay off with injury and in such an important away game ..... TP doesn't play players unless they are fit enough for him ... 1 rule for some - different rule for others.
My jury is out on Sidibe as I'D heard he's had the corners filed off his head while he's been laid up.
So he's even more likely to miss headers then - less head space = less chance of making contact!!! Actually, thinking about it ... let's run a virtual book on when he'll make his comeback in the Prem. My vote goes to .... subs bench for Sunderland game . coming on in the 2nd half!! I'll start it as a new thread.
To stay; Danny Collins Ryan Shawcross Robert Huth Danny Higginbotham Andy Wilkinson Rory Delap Marc Wilson Asmir Begovic Thomas Sorensen Dean Whitehead Ben Marshall Jermaine Pennant Matthew Etherington Kenwyne Jones Ryan Shotton Matthew Lund John Carew Out; Everyone else!
What ever happened to Andrew Davies ??? You paid a lot of money to Southampton for him and he always looked a decent player to me.
