A new Patron Saint needed for Stoke city.

[ted1965]

It seems we’re all getting a little nervous about the next 6 weeks, well it’s no longer in our hands as supporters the power of prayer only truly works if you believe and I am always confused as to which patron saint is actually looking over Stoke at the moment.

Epipodius - victims of betrayal and of torture, that one has been on our shoulders looking down on us since about 1977, took a few short intervals for refreshments, well actually just to keep us off guard and then returned in the subtle disguise of a small red headed imp named Alan.

or this one Jude Thaddaeus - lost causes, desperate situations, oh how many of those have we managed to contrive over the last 23 years, I was convinced Coates was in fact the reincarnation of this particular one for many years.

Ursicinus of Saint-Ursanne - invoked against stiff necks, with luck after we’re promoted we will not need this one as much, when better players arrive and all that lovely Sky money is floating around the Med in Coates new yacht waving to Roman, see you can do it in reverse Roman, my yacht came after the Promotion.

hopefully it’s no longer either of these, as I am sure we have seen enough of what being patronized by them has done for us over the last 30 years.

I am hoping it will be now transferred over to one of these

Marciana of Mauretania -invoked to cure wounds, there are so many over this period that need healing, some are being healed this season, though this saint owes us after the other three have decimated our dreams over the last 30 years.

These last 6 games are going to test the heart and sanity of almost every supporter, we have got into a great position and now it’s going to come down to how much the players and manager want it. That final push is usually more a test of will power than actual ability or the type of football we play. There is a look of empty petrol tanks about the players, so a new player or two this week would certainly give them all a boost and more so the supporters some kind of feeling of someone actually trying to change the direction we’re heading in at the moment.

The marathon has come down to a sprint and I honestly can’t see much change between now and when we play Leicester, the games coming up are neither difficult on paper nor easy, though to be fair we really could have had a much tougher run in. Though with players tired in body and mind it doesn’t matter who you’re playing it’s more of an endurance test now than a football game.

I think it’s down to the manager now, he has done better than many expected, me certainly and I am always honest enough to say that. I have been amazed at how well we have done this season and equally delighted in about the same measure. Though this is the part of the season that will prove whether the manager, players and before Thursday the owner really want that golden ticket.

I honestly believe if we go out on our shied over the next 6 games and fall short and have to go through the play offs, then nobody can really criticise anyone concerned at the club. I think supporters are more tolerant that some give them credit for, if you see a side giving everything and attempting to win games then you can at least say if they’re not good enough so be it. There is no reward without endeavour, if you see someone putting in everything it is easier to accept their faults. The players can’t be faulted for effort, though now they have to lose the fear of failure and take this situation by the scruff of the neck and win promotion, nobody apart from Hull are doing anything apart from treading water. It’s time for a new face and to regain that taking it to the opposition as we did a short while ago. I think Riggot has made the defence stronger now we can afford to be more offensive again. If we go out over the next 6 games and remain cautious and attempt to simply stumble over the line and it doesn’t come off, then I think supporters will indeed be unhappy and ask questions as to why at this stage we reverted to the old style of safety first football, that on the last day of last season fell short of what people hoped for or the situation called for. I hope these next 6 games will see us making the opposition goalkeeper working, if he’s the man of the match then so be it, at least it shows we were making the running in a game.

The club has made great strides and improvements on and of course off the field. The PR has improved dramatically and at last supporters feel as if they have a voice and will be heard, rather than being a lonely cry in the wilderness. I hope that this is the way forward and not just because we are having a great season, the need to bring people back for the long haul can only benefit the club and it’s future ten fold. If you make people feel they are wanted and valued then they will show some commitment in return, that at least is happening at the moment.

[ben88]

i will be the patron saint of stoke if you want?

[prong]

St. Prong ov Leeds.