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Post by GeneralFaye on Sept 14, 2011 8:25:18 GMT
It's a shit article because we won't be close to finishing 4th
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Post by Do eet fer Paddock on Sept 14, 2011 8:30:26 GMT
We've looked better defensively this season,. in fact is ther ea better defence anywhere at present? But up top we've yet to click.
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Post by Clem Fandango on Sept 14, 2011 8:31:47 GMT
Whilst most agree this is an obsured suggestion. You can see that the 'logic' is sound in that given recent form and strengthening we do have a 1st eleven that is capable of more than matching most if not all teams outside of the top 4.
Obviously given the add games in Europe plus the potential for a few more in the League and FA cup then we will probably play quite a few games this season under strength with a weaker team so that will probably take its toll on the league form. I would personally be over the moon with a top 10 spot, progression from the Europa League Group and either a quarter final appearance in either the League cup or FA cup.
Only 12 months ago Soccer Saturday were discussing the potential for Sunderlona to break into the top 6 and look at how that worked out.
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Post by hooftastic on Sept 14, 2011 8:39:22 GMT
this guy must be on crack, although saying that you can see the logic. We're unlikely to have a set of fixtures as hard this season as we've had/are having now so in theory results should improve......... It'd be nice to get 3rd so we don't have to play a qualifying round next season!!
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Post by Olgrligm on Sept 14, 2011 8:53:32 GMT
We're capable of beating anybody at home, we already know that. If we finally get something off Manchester United then I'll be over the moon. However, the difference between us and sides who are actually good enough for the top four is that they can win games away from home, whereas I'm sure that our away form will continue to be significantly worse than our home form. I believe that had we drawn every single away game last year, then coupled with our results at home, we'd have actually been challenging for a Champions' League place.
We've also got the Europa League to deal with.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2011 9:00:08 GMT
4th might not be realistic, but if he'd penned the article saying that Stoke will be lucky to emulate last season, they had a lucky run to the FA cup final and will be hindered in the league because of European competition, so realistically 10th is the highest Stoke can finish, there would be people screaming blue murder on here. Someone has published an article throwing Stoke into the limelight in a good way for a change - take it with good heart and enjoy while it's here.
For what it's worth I don't think Stoke can finish above either man city or utd, chelsea, arse, l'pool or spurs over the course of a season, but I do think we can finish above everyone else with a little bit of luck.
S_S
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Post by Staffsoatcake on Sept 14, 2011 9:04:01 GMT
If we were playing the Arse this Sat.the bookies would still have them about 4/6 fav with us about 7/2. If we keep progressing the way we have, maybe a top 4 finish in 3 or 4 yrs. time is not out of the question.
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Sept 14, 2011 9:06:47 GMT
4th might not be realistic, but if he'd penned the article saying that Stoke will be lucky to emulate last season, they had a lucky run to the FA cup final and will be hindered in the league because of European competition, so realistically 10th is the highest Stoke can finish, there would be people screaming blue murder on here. Someone has published an article throwing Stoke into the limelight in a good way for a change - take it with good heart and enjoy while it's here. For what it's worth I don't think Stoke can finish above either man city or utd, chelsea, arse, l'pool or spurs over the course of a season, but I do think we can finish above everyone else with a little bit of luck. S_S I agree with that and I do expect us to finish between 7th and 10th. The only thing which could give us a higher finish would be if Spurs or Arsenal imploded. Sadly I don't think that will happen - although Arsenal haven't looked good yet and I'd love it if they fell apart.
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Post by wandonlodge2 on Sept 14, 2011 9:14:47 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 Bravo!
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Post by RAF on Sept 14, 2011 9:42:56 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 Bravo! You do realise MCF is taking the piss don't you? H
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Post by foxysgloves on Sept 14, 2011 9:43:34 GMT
Not really arsed about how accurate or realistic he is......just love the fact that we are now seen as the trailblazers in terms of challenging the established top 4 or 6 clubs. Amazing.
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Post by santy on Sept 14, 2011 9:58:55 GMT
Obviously if any team can play at its absolute best across the course of a season, get some decent luck and avoid injuries they will massively overachieve. On a bad day we're not still better than various other sides on their good day so it would require monumental luck of proportions rarely seen in football to even have a remote possibility of viability. I think it stems too much from if you spend £20m+ with Stoke on FM you probably can build a champions league side If we lose to Sunderland at the weekend it will all be over and done with and we can look back at it as a crazy moment from the media in which there are many. If we win and don't lose to Kiev either it'll probably get worse lol.
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Post by rorymscfc on Sept 14, 2011 10:02:10 GMT
As an aside there's also a really interesting paragraph further down on Earl Barrett who has been put up as a classic example of why we need this Rooney Rule brought into football. I heard Jason Roberts banging on about him on 606 but the facts that Samuel quotes paint a slightly different picture.
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Post by Los Alfareros on Sept 14, 2011 10:03:44 GMT
I much preferred it when everyone thought we were wank.
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Sept 14, 2011 10:05:42 GMT
I much preferred it when everyone thought we were wank. I know what you mean. I find that pretending that Spiderman, Waiting for Waddo and a few others, are journalists for National newspapers, helps me a lot! ;D
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Post by dynamo1863 on Sept 14, 2011 10:09:44 GMT
i'm amazed at how fickle and insecure most national journalists seem to be. after the shawcross/ramsey tackle, we were vilified by them all. now - after a good start to the season - one journo tips us for possible surprise top 4, then suddenly neville compares us to barca and then the mail reinforce this expectation.
i for one would love it (keegan style) if we hit top 6 but it shows what a bunch of sheep jornos are when it come to an opinion. the domino effect of one spectacular claim has caused a 'lexicon wave' around the press rooms and now we suddenly getting praise from everyone.
makes you think how much of a pinch of salt you need to take press opinions ... to siberia cabbie!
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Post by rorymscfc on Sept 14, 2011 10:16:58 GMT
Keys and Gray just been chatting with about this article on talksport - more praise - esp[ecially for the positive attitude we're showing towards the Europa League
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Post by Sammz on Sept 14, 2011 10:25:23 GMT
wow, I never thought I'd see an article like that in my life time! In reality it's far too early to make predictions as outlandish as this (we have rode our luck a little up to yet) The most reassuring thing, as has already been mentioned, is that Super Tone won't get distracted by the hype and will keep the players minds focused on the task in hand ie tomorrow night.
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Post by Meggsy on Sept 14, 2011 10:29:42 GMT
Journalists writing good things about us and Gary Neville comparing us with Barcelona - This is not right.
How can we complain about shitly written articles now? Can somebody ask the excuse and star to do a follow up report on it so we can have some normality.
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Post by albanianstokie on Sept 14, 2011 10:40:54 GMT
champions league is a bit ambitious. Still in 5 years if we keep progressing, who knows.
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Post by mcf on Sept 14, 2011 10:51:03 GMT
Don't be stupid RAF
Your gormless face gives it away without proving it on here.
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Post by eriksson74 on Sept 14, 2011 11:03:57 GMT
Problem is if we don't win on Sunday some Stokies will go mad saying we should beat shyte like that. Against a side which has lost 8 out of its last 9 home games?
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Post by stokecitytalke on Sept 14, 2011 11:07:08 GMT
i'm amazed at how fickle and insecure most national journalists seem to be. after the shawcross/ramsey tackle, we were vilified by them all. now - after a good start to the season - one journo tips us for possible surprise top 4, then suddenly neville compares us to barca and then the mail reinforce this expectation. i for one would love it (keegan style) if we hit top 6 but it shows what a bunch of sheep jornos are when it come to an opinion. the domino effect of one spectacular claim has caused a 'lexicon wave' around the press rooms and now we suddenly getting praise from everyone. makes you think how much of a pinch of salt you need to take press opinions ... to siberia cabbie! "lexicon wave", very good, I see what you did there
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Sept 14, 2011 11:13:26 GMT
i'm amazed at how fickle and insecure most national journalists seem to be. after the shawcross/ramsey tackle, we were vilified by them all. Actually we were not vilified by them all after the Shawcross tackle. I'd say the criticism came from a smallish minority. The majority thought it was an accident and very few criticised the club or the player. Of course people who should know better, like Wenger and Danny Murphy, were joined by numpties like Adrian Durham and Alan Davies but that isn't representative of the media as a whole.
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Post by lordb on Sept 14, 2011 11:22:07 GMT
imho it's bad for football that the same sides are at the top every year
I'm with thr consensus view that top 4 talk is silly (7th max,10th will be fine) however Samuel's last point 'that it would be wonderful if they did' is surely correct?
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Post by baltipiesmuggler on Sept 14, 2011 11:44:11 GMT
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. No chance of that with Tony 'they're a great team' Pulis in charge! He's not a 'head in the clouds' guy!
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Post by RAF on Sept 14, 2011 11:44:59 GMT
Don't be stupid RAF Your gormless face gives it away without proving it on here. Quality Pilsbury. Is that why you flounced away for a few weeks last time we had this conversation. You can't even remember what you said to us all when you were pissed up after 3 shandies and a water chaser sunshine. Fortunately I was driving and so were a couple of others who heard your rant. Plus I've still got the recording. See you in another couple of weeks! H BPS - I was referring more about us supporters than the manager mate.
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Post by stokeramblers on Sept 14, 2011 11:56:51 GMT
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Post by Jamo on the wing on Sept 14, 2011 11:58:53 GMT
I emailed his editor and asked him if he should perhaps get someone to sub his journalist's articles as they appeared to be factually inaccurate. I never got a response! ;D
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Post by pez75 on Sept 14, 2011 12:15:46 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. Your Norwich stat is very misleading though as up to the (very fortunate) sending off we were gash and lucky not to be further behind. I have seen no evidence of a change of away tactics yet I am afraid...
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