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Post by donttellhimpike on Sept 14, 2011 1:09:56 GMT
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Post by Gods on Sept 14, 2011 1:20:03 GMT
Jesus shit, it's complete b*lllocks, but no less enjoyable for that.
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Post by bayernoatcake on Sept 14, 2011 1:22:35 GMT
Where has this talk of Champions League come from and do any Stoke fans actually buy into it? I'd be well chuffed with top 10!
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Post by JoeinOz on Sept 14, 2011 1:23:17 GMT
Not sure how I feel about this. I probably dislike it.
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Post by donttellhimpike on Sept 14, 2011 1:30:14 GMT
As mentioned in a previous email I think our goalkeeping and central defence options IS top four quality (unbelievable really). However the rest of the squad is someway behind but Tone seems to be now focusing on raising the standards in these areas.
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Post by Irish Stokie on Sept 14, 2011 1:35:42 GMT
Where has this talk of Champions League come from and do any Stoke fans actually buy into it? I'd be well chuffed with top 10! It seems that the fact we are currently top 4, coupled with the fact that the media are trying to fill the gaping void left by the transfer window closing has led to these stories. I doubt even the most optimistic Stoke fans think top 4 will happen any time soon but il take the praise while it's there. Top 10 would be a fantastic achievement, especially with the extra European games, and a cup run would be the icing on the cake. |
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Post by JoeinOz on Sept 14, 2011 1:50:29 GMT
Problem is if we don't win on Sunday some Stokies will go mad saying we should beat shyte like that.
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Post by jarvinski on Sept 14, 2011 6:29:48 GMT
Martin samuel the sports writer of the year has written a terrific article about scfc as though he has been a boothen ender all his life. He sees no reason why we couldn't chase the 4th champions league spot
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Post by sneydgreenstokie1 on Sept 14, 2011 6:35:53 GMT
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Post by roloman on Sept 14, 2011 6:38:54 GMT
This is TP's fault. Pulis out!  |
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Post by sneydgreenstokie1 on Sept 14, 2011 6:40:02 GMT
Arguably the best bit in the article right at the end
'And then there are Stoke. Unfancied, unsung, the random factor. They might just do it. And wouldn’t it be wonderful if they did?'
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Post by PotterLog on Sept 14, 2011 6:42:14 GMT
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Post by captainsmith on Sept 14, 2011 6:46:39 GMT
+1 Why do we have to go from one extreme to the other ffs? One minute we are just a long throw the next we are Champion's league material. Bonkers. Good pic of Super John though. I'm avin that!  |
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Post by sneydgreenstokie1 on Sept 14, 2011 6:47:19 GMT
I am certain that the vast majority of Stoke fans do not expect us to get there but surely there is a real chance that we will end in the top half and therefore may not be far off top six? If nothing else it shows just how far we have come and how our stock has grown. Long may it continue
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Post by arniepieinthesky on Sept 14, 2011 6:56:12 GMT
At best I could see a top 6, with a lot of luck!
But if we can pick up points from the bigger clubs, i.e Man U, Man C, Chelsea, Liverpool etc...then why not. If the players work for each other the way they did on Saturday???
I always new our ethos was to work hard and close team down, but until Neville put a microscope on it I never realised how well we do it, we apply so much pressure for such long periods...I believe that a lot of clubs will struggle with that this season. In addition, Walters is such a integral part of the way we play to, I just dont see any other forward being able to do what he does.
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Post by AlanHansen on Sept 14, 2011 6:58:17 GMT
Superb read and very flattering. No chance of fourth though, it's too soon, not to mention our mentality away from home gives little hope.
Still, I'm not knocking it. The best of times to be a Stoke fan and I'm enjoying every step along the was. Let's just keep "pushing on".
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Post by RAF on Sept 14, 2011 7:01:28 GMT
This is just a follow on from Sunday Supplement on Sky when the Hacks on there who usually talk bollox were talking us up into 4th place saying that Arsenal are under threat from Stoke.
It's very nice that we are being talked about in such terms, but I can't help feeling they are building us up, so they can kick us when we are down (I don't mean relegated before any daft cunt starts either!)
Let them keep blowing smoke up our arse if they want, but let's keep our feet on the ground and not start believing the hype.
H
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Post by sneydgreenstokie1 on Sept 14, 2011 7:03:58 GMT
Just on the away games view - it may have only been Norwich but we apparently had 15 attempts on goal. Not the way we played in seasons gone by so we might now be going to 'lesser' clubs trying to get three points from the off rather than making sure we don't lose first and then seeing what we can get, like we did against Brom.
In all honesty not being the 'underdogs' concerns me. I not used to Stoke being favourites for anything other than failure. I hope that we can simply continue with the fantastic building program that we have seen developing in the last 5 years.
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Post by wakefieldstokie on Sept 14, 2011 7:04:10 GMT
4th? Why not?...
Because we have had a good start and that's all it is, 10 league games always gives a better picture. And how many premiership away games have we won in 2011 and for that matter since we got promoted? Take a reality pill, 8th would be excellent.
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Post by Do eet fer Paddock on Sept 14, 2011 7:05:03 GMT
I preferred it when we were the pantomime villains. Much more of this praise and some fans heads will start to explode. It'll end in tears.
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Post by avishotair on Sept 14, 2011 7:22:43 GMT
The mail has just printed my comment (gloryhunterhater) Watch the nations gloryhunters give me negatives and some stick now!
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Post by fca47 on Sept 14, 2011 7:23:55 GMT
It is typical of the media that the over-the-top criticism we were receiving earlier, seems to have been replaced by over-the-top praise.
In reality we are an over-achieving mid-table team at the moment ,but are being touted as possible Champions League contenders.
I find both versions really annoying.
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Post by itsmorethanagame on Sept 14, 2011 7:34:31 GMT
The mail have been knocking out some cracking Stoke and other general football articles so far this season.
Of course we won't finish 4th, and there is no way Samuel thinks we will either but I think he gets across the point he is trying to make.
The best thing to come from this article and others praising us is not the fact that they say we could 'challenge' for 4th spot. It's the fact that we are finally starting to see a change in the media towards our club. I don't give a fuck what the journalists think of us on a personal level and I'm happy with the them against us attitude. But to get to the next level and attract the new level of players we need to, unfortunately we need the media on our side. Like it or not, they play a big part in portraying the image of clubs and besides the obvious money issue, players want to think they are joining a respected club. We have struggled massively in attracting big players but if they start to see the media bigging us up, it will certainly change the views of some players about us too.
The signing of Crouch has definitely played some part in this and you have to wonder whether aside from liking him as a player, this factor had any influence on our determination to sign him. Sunderland went for Bendtner but there was much more hype about us getting Crouch.
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Post by eranu on Sept 14, 2011 7:34:33 GMT
It really is bizzare. The turn around has been remarkably sudden. Last year we were still plucky old Stoke, but after this Augusts transfer window, we seem to be getting lavished with praise from all quarters. Its nice to here but some of it e.g. fourth place, is pure fantasy. The way i see it is we are a team all clubs should aspire to be. Locally owned, living within our means, passionate, noisy fans, hardworking but not a dirty team. These credentials should see us being praised, shame its took em 4 years to work out what we're all about. I wonder if Mick Dennis has changed his mind yet ;-)
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Post by spongebob on Sept 14, 2011 7:43:28 GMT
hmmm I think I preferred being the underdogs, underachievers, lesser men, unfancied, no hopers.
I think the game against Liverpool was a dogged stubborn performance. There were flashes of brilliance from Crouch and even some...dare I say...football!! from our lads. Did anyone see Rory go round his man on the right wing AND put in a good cross WITH HIS FOOT!!!!
The game wasnt a classic...but we won and upset everyone at the same time..specially "Clap...clap...clap.clap clap Dalglish!! Brilliant. Tone has steadily invested in players who can actually play...we can all see that. This season is going to be a transitional one for us. We are going to play some shit games....but we are also going to play some bloody excellent ones...once the new players have gelled and Matty and Pennant start firing on all cylinders...."I got a feeling :-)" Ooooh thats a good tune for a new song........
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Post by thepremierbanksy on Sept 14, 2011 7:47:47 GMT
He writes a piece where the first story is Stoke to finish 4th, and the second story is basically telling us not to make predictions about teams' final places based on the results up to and including September. And completely ignores that we're still pretty shit away from home.
Daft cunt.
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Post by oggyoggy on Sept 14, 2011 7:57:31 GMT
im glad the most down to earth person on earth is in charge of our team, and not someone likely to get over excited by such articles. Pulis will be aiming to get to 40 points, no doubt about it. So i don't think articles like this damage us because it won't effect pulis and how he sets up the side or does his team talks.
Us on the other hand as mere mortal fans, will get overexcited. But we must do our job. We have the best home support in the prem right now, that must NEVER change. if we keep doing our bit, and pulis keeps doing his, this top 4 malarkey might just start becoming a reality in a few seasons time!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2011 8:01:34 GMT
Will 3rd do. |
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Post by swampmongrel on Sept 14, 2011 8:16:35 GMT
As much as I'm excited about what we could achieve this season (it won't be anywhere close to 4th). If you look at our PL results so far they mirror pretty much what happened in the same fixtures last season.
Chelsea (H) Draw
Norwich (A) (Substitute Blackpool) Draw
West Brom (A) Win
Liverpool (H) Win
Arguably in the corresponding fixtures last season the performances were better than we have seen so far this year.
I'm delighted with the start we've made, especially because it's been made more difficult by the EL matches, but we haven't had enough time to see any massive improvements...yet.
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Post by mcf on Sept 14, 2011 8:18:09 GMT
At least he come out with a few facts about us...
being in Europe
being in an FA Cup Final
only conceding 2 goals so far
etc etc
Better than what the PHWs and GMCs come out with on here.
Why the fuck is Huth at right back
our central midfield is shit
Rory is past it
et etc
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