The guy has been an absolute beast for us, never complained, got on with what he had to do teamwise & you all slate him for not scoring goals. We are Stoke City under the guidance of a certain Mr T Pulis, when has a team guided by THIS manager ever gone out to win a game by 4,5 or 6 goals, we are SCFC not BARCELONA. What mama did, he did effectively, in a gameplan that TP has used all his managerial life, Mama suited SCFC down to a tee, there is absolutely no reason why he CANNOT be a part of this team, doing exactly the same as he did then, as we still play the same way now. I know this may cause a few split hairs, but i would rather prefer Mama than Ric, a player who gives his all & will die for SCFC on the pitch (Mama=Walters), than someone who is a scorer of great goals every ??? games, but looks like he cant be arsed. Just an opinion
Mighty Huth I personally will not have a go at Mama, I just made the point that IMHO... Crouch, Jerome, Walters, Jones AND Fuller are all better player's. They can all do something special as seen with Crouch on Sunday. I value your oppinion that's your choice but I honestly do not think Mama should start a Premier League game for us. Europa other cups IF we have injuries or a fixture back log. Which of course both God forbid could happen then give the guy a chance. Maybe 15 mins as a sub .. as we do with Diao and Co.. i.e. Delap hardly evey lasts the full 90 mins.. they simply can not cope with the pace of the game now for long periods.. NO ONE more than me would love to see Mama playing at his best but you pointed out his goals to games ratio is well below that of those I mentioned.. apart from Jerome who is younger/fitter and hungry oh, and he's fast which of course Mama is not. Face it Huthy .. HOW long has Mama been out for? You simply can not ask any player to just pick up where they left off IMHO anyway. YES he wins most of his headers but so does Crouch and he and Walters were totally awesome on Sunday v Utd. Thank you Mama but like Diao, to some extent Delap although both have played well the last game or so, we do have better "footballers" now. Fuller is the same Huthy? he will be a while yet before he's ready, a month I think I heard.. Personally, I would loan out Mama to give him a few games in the lower leagues. That's my own view and YES I know T.P. knows the player/s better than any of us.
Fair opinions potts, basically all i'm saying is we have not changed tactics since we have been in the prem, thats why i think Mr Pullis still has a soft spot for mama. PS : should have said earlier, i too think he should never play for the first team in the Prem again, as you quite rightly state potts we now have better players( who play the same way ), all i was asking was try too put yourself in TP's eyes (he never ever changes), thats why i can see a roll for mama in this side.
we haven't seen Mama ( why does lena zavaroni pop into my head ? ) play with quality players yet, perhaps he'll surprise us .
Huthy Do I sense a slight contradiction here.. not having a go at you but.. you asked us.. why have a go at Mama? I THINK we are all agreed that baring numerous injuries IN OUR oppinion Mama should not be starting games now. And, shock horror here but.. I think, slowly but surly Mr P is changing the way we play or is it just me? And, that is why I was slightly anoyed/confused/baffled that, Danny Pugh although he too isn't in my first 11 when all are fit was left out of the 25 man squad. I think he's more use to the "Team" than Mama would/will be. Danny could play fully back, midfield various positions. Mama? Maybe Tony Pulis is going to ask him to fill in at Centre half because unless he's faster now than he ever was.. and he won't be that's for sure. Then all I can think is that, is one of the few areas he might be useful for us. ONE thing Mama did do was "win more than his fair share of headers" and of course Fuller and him did well but not often enough... That is where I think we are now changing things.. we seem to playing the ball from the back, or across the back four far more than we did last season Not just hoofiing it for Mama or Jones to flick on and hope. Would love to see him in a Stoke shirt again but maybe in a Europa game when if were were confortable with say, 20 min's left. Just so I can give the guy a STANDING OVATION because he did what he could for Stoke City that's the least he deserves.
Huthy I think we have changed the way we play, or is it just me? We are not passing the ball across the back four and through the midfield. Much more than we have done for years. Would love to see Mama playing in a Europa game for us when we are confortable with say, 20 minutes left. Just so that I can give the guy a STANDING OVATION he at least deserves that much as much as some of us think he's past it... He always gave his all for Stoke City.
no it's not contadictory potts, was just wondering why everyone was on Mama's back, when he has done his job For SCFC, in the way that SCFC play, thats why i can see him fitting still into our style, as basically our style when he played (apart from the wingers) has not changed much. Everyone berates mama coming back, but cannot wait to see fuller back, Why?????
Huthy - I am NOT having a go/berating Mama on a personal basis. Never have, never will, yup he HAS been great for us, the operative word is HAS. Pulis, underneath his 'hard man' image must be a sentimental old soul as Mama should NOT be anywhere near the First Team squad. Of course he has had terrible injuries, which would have felled a lesser man. Let's just say, thanks a million BIG MAMA, but goodbye
Huthy My last post as we're off to the game matie... Ric Fuller is a "one off" Yes he does my head in but he's still capable of doing the unexpected. Which is why I'm looking forward to seeing how he's playing. A bit like Mama, it will take time for Fuller to get used to the pace of the game. But, anyone who can do what Ric can do is why I would like to see him back and playing for Stoke City... that said, he may have to wait a while... IF Crouch and Walters continue what seem's like a decent pairing, so far, so good.. ENJOY the game Huthy I'm off to the game taking the wife along too, but a meal first and foremost.. happy day's lads.. ENJOY IT!
I arent having a go at mama, he is just nowhere near good enough, and to say youd rather have Mama than Fuller (even in your opinion mate) is ridiculous. If we just want people who work hard but have no ability then lets keep Mama, Delap, Diao etc otherwise lets get rid and get some better players in. Oh by the way, I am grateful for what these players have done for the club IN THE PAST but its time to move on!.
Morning Ricc - who would be Mama or Messi? How are Mrs Ricc and Owen - we have not lost slnce he arrived - lucky mascot!! Hope all is well and not too many sleepless nights!
