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Post by Squeekster on Mar 13, 2012 12:14:13 GMT
I think Stien was a bargain and when you think we swapped Mike Sheron for Keith Scott they were 2 great deals for the club.
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Post by onionman on Mar 13, 2012 12:36:17 GMT
This notion that Pulis has somehow hindered Ryan's development as a footballer is one of the biggest myths on this messageboard. When he came to Stoke, Ryan Shawcross was a nobody. Alex Ferguson didn't even think he would make the grade. Under Pulis he's developed into arguably England's best defender. I wouldn't go as far to say he's England's best defender because there is a pretty high standard of players to choose from and Ryan is more effective playing against physical strikers than those who are more technical. Sir Alex has actually been quoted before saying that he wishes he had kept Ryan at Utd as well - so he was well on the radar - in fact he was part of the whole De Laet saga and was recommended highly when he came. That's my point. Ferguson now says he regrets not keeping Shawcross. In other words, he didn't think he was going to be good enough for Man Utd, so he let him go. However he's developed so well at Stoke he now thinks he was wrong to let him go. So he has developed more at Stoke than Ferguson thought he was going to develop at Man Utd.
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Post by PotteringThrough on Mar 13, 2012 14:00:43 GMT
Souleyman Oulare on a free wasn't too bad either!
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Post by Godo on Mar 13, 2012 14:05:34 GMT
I can't believe that there are still people on here who for the sake of a cheap argument are questionning Ryan's contribution, as a defender, leader and organiser to the success of our team. Even if we had Franz Beckenbauer at centre back for us on that cluttered pitch with 9 of his own team mates usually within 30 yds of him and not looking to receive the ball, who would even " the Kaiser" the most elegant defender I have ever seen, have passed to?
Ryan, like the team as a whole, is drilled to play the Pulis % game and he does what he is told.
tq stokie absolutely is spot on regarding Dave Watson - absolute rock ( no-one ever f##ked with him), surprisingly mobile, excellent reader of the game and technically more comfortable with a ball at his feet than 80% of the centre backs in the modern day Premiership. Franklin, who was long before my time was the stuff of legends for any Stoke fan who ever saw him play for us. But as someone who saw his first games at the end of the 60's my favourite has to be Denis Smith - the bravest man I ever saw play football in the position that requires absolute bravery ( unless your name is David Luiz who I've seen pull out of a few tackles! )
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Post by borat on Mar 13, 2012 14:49:12 GMT
Great value at that price, but has deffo lost his way the last couple of seasons. Thought he would and probably should be in the England set up by now, but no chance at the moment. Your are taking the piss surely? ???
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Post by oasis on Mar 13, 2012 16:43:00 GMT
He is a fantastic assent to the club in the way he plays and conducts himself off the field...
I think he gets over looks by many fans because he is so consistent it doing the basics of defending. For me he has been our player of the season this season!
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Post by sheikhmomo on Mar 13, 2012 18:13:35 GMT
He is a fantastic assent to the club in the way he plays and conducts himself off the field... I think he gets over looks by many fans because he is so consistent it doing the basics of defending. For me he has been our player of the season this season! Agree entirely with this, he does the basic job of a centre half with total efficiency (and better than the vast majority of players in his age group) and has probably just about been our most consistent performer of the season. A lot of supporters appear not to appreciate what they've got with this lad.
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Post by alster on Mar 13, 2012 18:43:26 GMT
This notion that Pulis has somehow hindered Ryan's development as a footballer is one of the biggest myths on this messageboard. When he came to Stoke, Ryan Shawcross was a nobody. Alex Ferguson didn't even think he would make the grade. Under Pulis he's developed into arguably England's best defender. Thing is you're trying to turn it into a non debate. I'd agree that its stupidity to say that Pulis has totally hindered Ryan's development as a footballer. TP and his staff have developed certain aspects of Ryan's game that they place value on. His positional awareness and his physical presence. Their efforts in these areas are commendable. Unfortunately for Ryan they have totally neglected to improve his ability and composure with the ball. Its not something they value, its not what they want him to do. They've improved Ryan in the facets required for their very limited view of the game. Unfortunately for Ryan very few people who matter in football share their views.
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Post by thecolonel on Mar 13, 2012 18:54:01 GMT
Rory is Stoke's best ever signing. He came on a free and has played the biggest role is our success in the last few years. Rory also remains a vital part of the club today with his numerous qualities.
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Post by cheekymatt71 on Mar 13, 2012 18:57:21 GMT
This notion that Pulis has somehow hindered Ryan's development as a footballer is one of the biggest myths on this messageboard. When he came to Stoke, Ryan Shawcross was a nobody. Alex Ferguson didn't even think he would make the grade. Under Pulis he's developed into arguably England's best defender. Thing is you're trying to turn it into a non debate. I'd agree that its stupidity to say that Pulis has totally hindered Ryan's development as a footballer. TP and his staff have developed certain aspects of Ryan's game that they place value on. His positional awareness and his physical presence. Their efforts in these areas are commendable. Unfortunately for Ryan they have totally neglected to improve his ability and composure with the ball. Its not something they value, its not what they want him to do. They've improved Ryan in the facets required for their very limited view of the game. Unfortunately for Ryan very few people who matter in football share their views. This! I wasnt suggesting that Pulis was not responsible for Shawcross becoming a Premiership quality defender in terms of the basics of defending. BUT whilst never looking comfortable on the ball ever since he arrived, I would go as far to say that he hoofs the ball more now than he did when he first arrived on loan 4 or 5 years ago. Our training is all about fitness, positioning and set pieces with very little focus on technique - that is the ONE element of Shawcross game that is below standard and will always stop him from getting that much deserved England cap
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Post by tomsviews on Mar 13, 2012 18:57:29 GMT
Shawcross was a bargain and was a great signing by TP, but Fuller is Pulis' best signing imo.
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Post by stokiejoeofalsager on Mar 13, 2012 19:46:56 GMT
Shawcross was a bargain and was a great signing by TP, but Fuller is Pulis' best signing imo. i agree. 500k was a really good bit of business
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Post by stokie25 on Mar 13, 2012 19:51:10 GMT
He had an absolute nightmare in our 1st game at Bolton and looked out of his depth. Signing big Abdy gave Shawcross that experience alongside him and has been class ever since. The best mentor the lad could've hoped for
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Post by rorymscfc on Mar 13, 2012 21:00:31 GMT
It's very easy to be harsh on Ryan wrt his distribution but it you played him in a team with, say, Scott Parker, who constantly makes himself available for the simple 5 yard pass then Ryan would immediately a look better player. The difference is that he's constantly trying (being told to try to play) to play the "hollywood ball" from central defence and that's always going to be a big ask unless you have David Beckham's right foot.
Ryan's actual defending is right up there with the best in this league at the moment,although to be fair there aren't that many really good CH's at their peak around atm.
RoryM
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Post by mrpickles on Mar 14, 2012 1:23:24 GMT
He certainly has to be up there.
He's been great ever since he arived at the club, but i honestly think this season he's taken it up a level. He seems to have more of a presence about him nowadays, and is looking more and more of a leader with each performance.
This notion that he's not good enough on the ball for international football is complete bollocks. It's all his "ball playing defender" bullshit that see's Gary fucking Cahill picked as an england regular.
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Post by thestatusquo on Mar 14, 2012 13:02:35 GMT
Mark Stein would be a candidate.
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