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Post by cousindupree on Apr 4, 2013 10:17:22 GMT
To be honest I don't see that many in our current line up who I would want with me in the trenches. Shawcross Wilko Huth Wilson Whelan Walters, maybe Kightly.
Of the others
Nzonzi He troubles me prone to sulks and his lack of enthusiasm to chase back for the Everton goal was disappointing.
Ethers would give it a go but for how many games?
Cameron Laid back American where relegation in Sport in the USA just doesn't happen
Crouch Jerome and Jones were all hinted at by the manager that they could leave last January. What affect did that have to their commitment to the cause?
Adam...Maybe
Shotts.Nah
Bego...Off in summer
Owen...Why should he bother?
Has anyone in the squad actually been successful in a relegation scrap...plenty have been relegated..Nzonzi,Huth,Kightly,Adam,Jerome. And even TP who has never been relegated, has he that much experience of a down to the wire scrap?
Maybe its just me but I don't see too many natural leaders in our team who can inspire others when the going gets tough.
Lets hope all the above becomes hypothetical over the next 2/3 weeks
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2013 10:21:01 GMT
I'm sure they do individually, they just need to prove it as a team, like they used to be.
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st4stokie
Academy Starlet
stoke born an bred...Bread Bread Who Will Buy My Bread
Posts: 126
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Post by st4stokie on Apr 4, 2013 10:24:43 GMT
Bet the atmosphere in the dressing room is dire too, I wonder how many players are thinking that T.P's tactics are not right for the situation we're in and would they like to see a new system or even a new managerial face
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Post by sheikhmomo on Apr 4, 2013 10:29:08 GMT
All the evidence suggests they are up for it, are the fans up to it, is a more pertinent question.
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Post by nik80 on Apr 4, 2013 10:34:07 GMT
To be honest I don't see that many in our current line up who I would want with me in the trenches. Shawcross Wilko Huth Wilson Whelan Walters, maybe Kightly. Of the others Nzonzi He troubles me prone to sulks and his lack of enthusiasm to chase back for the Everton goal was disappointing. Ethers would give it a go but for how many games? Cameron Laid back American where relegation in Sport in the USA just doesn't happen Crouch Jerome and Jones were all hinted at by the manager that they could leave last January. What affect did that have to their commitment to the cause? Adam...Maybe Shotts.Nah Bego...Off in summer Owen...Why should he bother? Has anyone in the squad actually been successful in a relegation scrap...plenty have been relegated..Nzonzi,Huth,Kightly,Adam,Jerome. And even TP who has never been relegated, has he that much experience of a down to the wire scrap? Maybe its just me but I don't see too many natural leaders in our team who can inspire others when the going gets tough. Lets hope all the above becomes hypothetical over the next 2/3 weeks You don't think Shotton's going to be up for the fight? I've got no doubt the effort that will be out in, will be 100% by all involved, we'll give them the stomach for the fight. |
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Post by thebet365 on Apr 4, 2013 10:39:36 GMT
Nzonzi He troubles me prone to sulks and his lack of enthusiasm to chase back for the Everton goal was disappointing. Eh ?? He got what initially was a good challenge in, then Mirralis got a lucky ricochet back into his path, Nzonzi isn't a slide tackler that's his style of tackling exactly what he did. It was just a good goal with probably the only blame can be sent Camerons way for effectively being a bystander. |
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Post by harryburrows on Apr 4, 2013 10:48:44 GMT
Nzonzi He troubles me prone to sulks and his lack of enthusiasm to chase back for the Everton goal was disappointing. Eh ?? He got what initially was a good challenge in, then Mirralis got a lucky ricochet back into his path, Nzonzi isn't a slide tackler that's his style of tackling exactly what he did. It was just a good goal with probably the only blame can be sent Camerons way for effectively being a bystander. or as pulis bizzarely said Cameron should have stayed on his feet , which is what he did |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2013 10:53:59 GMT
The players are still battling. They're up for it. I think the fans are too, it's just tempered by the frustration that we're needlessly in a fight in the first place due to mismanagement. That won't be forgotten, nor should it be.
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Post by str8outtahampton on Apr 4, 2013 11:08:46 GMT
They are probably as up for it in just the same way as Villa's players are up for it, although to the extent that either side has any momentum, it is (marginally) currently with Villa.
I always remember as a kid when it dawned on me that players were not necessarily supporters. A bleak day. In those days, they were much more likely to be supporters of course, but many were not. These days, hardly any are. They are mercenaries. That is not a criticism - it's a statement of fact.
What that means is that for many players, relegation would mean plying their trade elsewhere. Some might even have a PL release clause in their contract for all I know.
Does that mean they won't be fighting for survival? No, I don't think it does. But if we did go down, would many of the players feel it as deeply as we would? No, I don't think they would.
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Post by fortressbritannia on Apr 4, 2013 11:12:31 GMT
It's times like this that we miss Rory, Higgy and Salif those really experienced heads in the dressing room to pull the whole squad together
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Post by nik80 on Apr 4, 2013 11:13:22 GMT
Eh ?? He got what initially was a good challenge in, then Mirralis got a lucky ricochet back into his path, Nzonzi isn't a slide tackler that's his style of tackling exactly what he did. It was just a good goal with probably the only blame can be sent Camerons way for effectively being a bystander. or as pulis bizzarely said Cameron should have stayed on his feet , which is what he did Ah, I hear you but I knew what Pulis, in all his wisdom meant with that  He meant, stay on his toes, face him off, not commit so soon. Bad wording though, even worse defending sadly |
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Post by wozzerthepotter on Apr 4, 2013 11:15:31 GMT
Interesting that Jerome is saying that we don't even need to win it - Very Strange
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Post by sheikhmomo on Apr 4, 2013 11:16:53 GMT
I doubt you'll see a more inept piece of defending all season than Geoff's for that goal. You would shout a schoolkid for it. He worries me and when a player worries you that's generally a bad thing.
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Post by nik80 on Apr 4, 2013 11:29:19 GMT
I doubt you'll see a more inept piece of defending all season than Geoff's for that goal. You would shout a schoolkid for it. He worries me and when a player worries you that's generally a bad thing. I'm going to give Cameron the benefit on this and say he needs a rest. Didn't he play a few months in the US before joining us? Must have been a long bloody season, given that he's played all over the pitch for us in his 1st season in the prem. I'm not entirely convinced myself yet but he's got pretty tidy feet and is usually a clean tackler so I'm willing to put his form down to fatigue. I'd bench him though, probably would have done a month back. Shotton RB for me |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2013 11:33:10 GMT
One thing is for certain - we have lost every single one of our experienced, old heads and at times it shows.
Diao
Higginbotham
Delap
Fuller
Faye
All big players that controlled the dressing room and made life easier. Most clubs have them and no surprise the one's that don't, or the one's that have bad ones, struggle at the bottom of the leagues.
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Post by hollybush on Apr 4, 2013 11:36:20 GMT
One thing is for certain - we have lost every single one of our experienced, old heads and at times it shows. Diao Higginbotham Delap Fuller Faye All big players that controlled the dressing room and made life easier. Most clubs have them and no surprise the one's that don't, or the one's that have bad ones, struggle at the bottom of the leagues. Goo point, as that seems to be exactly why Villa are where they are. |
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Post by cousindupree on Apr 4, 2013 11:40:20 GMT
Well I am feeling a little more reassured by your comments that the lads are up for it. Its hard to tell peering into a laptop when I am a few thousand miles away. I will be back for the Manure QPR and Norwich games...hoping my very noisy vocal support will help them over the finishing line and safety.
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Post by Stretfordpotterer on Apr 4, 2013 12:19:04 GMT
All the evidence suggests they are up for it, are the fans up to it, is a more pertinent question. What evidence is that exactly? 6 points since boxing day suggest to me we have a classic case of a dressing room that thought it was safe, isn't, and is struggling to regain any semblance of form. Christ, even the work rate, the one thing you can always rely on with a Pulis team doesn't seem to be there to the same degree. Another worrying thing, is the number of our current squad who have been relegated from the premier league. Begovic Huth Wilson Whelan Owen Nzonzi Adam Kightly Whitehead Crouch Jerome Onthe bright side, i'm up for it. Goooooaaaarrrnnn Potters Just get stuck the fuck into em! |
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Post by sheikhmomo on Apr 4, 2013 14:50:58 GMT
All the evidence suggests they are up for it, are the fans up to it, is a more pertinent question. What evidence is that exactly? 6 points since boxing day suggest to me we have a classic case of a dressing room that thought it was safe, isn't, and is struggling to regain any semblance of form. Christ, even the work rate, the one thing you can always rely on with a Pulis team doesn't seem to be there to the same degree. Another worrying thing, is the number of our current squad who have been relegated from the premier league. Begovic Huth Wilson Whelan Owen Nzonzi Adam Kightly Whitehead Crouch Jerome Onthe bright side, i'm up for it. Goooooaaaarrrnnn Potters Just get stuck the fuck into em! Don't agree Chorlt, since West Ham where I started to have some doubts myself, the attitude has been fine, even if the ability has been far from it. Two decent efforts in two very hard away games and not having the guile to break down a West Brom who surprisingly played for a point. IF we go down it will be based on team selection and ability and not attitude, IMO. |
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Post by Stretfordpotterer on Apr 4, 2013 15:02:03 GMT
What evidence is that exactly? 6 points since boxing day suggest to me we have a classic case of a dressing room that thought it was safe, isn't, and is struggling to regain any semblance of form. Christ, even the work rate, the one thing you can always rely on with a Pulis team doesn't seem to be there to the same degree. Another worrying thing, is the number of our current squad who have been relegated from the premier league. Begovic Huth Wilson Whelan Owen Nzonzi Adam Kightly Whitehead Crouch Jerome Onthe bright side, i'm up for it. Goooooaaaarrrnnn Potters Just get stuck the fuck into em! Don't agree Chorlt, since West Ham where I started to have some doubts myself, the attitude has been fine, even if the ability has been far from it. Two decent efforts in two very hard away games and not having the guile to break down a West Brom who surprisingly played for a point. IF we go down it will be based on team selection and ability and not attitude, IMO. What worries me, is i'm not even sure they thought they were in it until this week. The displays in the last couple of games have been competent, nothing more, but also nervy at times. We are snatching at crosses and passes, that is not going to get any better until we get a win. |
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Post by elystokie on Apr 4, 2013 15:30:58 GMT
All the evidence suggests they are up for it, are the fans up to it, is a more pertinent question.  |
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Post by sheikhmomo on Apr 4, 2013 15:45:35 GMT
All the evidence suggests they are up for it, are the fans up to it, is a more pertinent question. I think the fact that in a relegation battle if that's where we are, you have the excruciating 'axe, axe, axe' as your signature tells its own story about your priorities. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2013 15:50:05 GMT
I think the fact that in a relegation battle if that's where we are, you have the excruciating 'axe, axe, axe' as your signature tells its own story about your priorities. Are the two really mutually exclusive? |
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Post by stokemark on Apr 4, 2013 16:00:43 GMT
To be honest I don't see that many in our current line up who I would want with me in the trenches. Shawcross Wilko Huth Wilson Whelan Walters, maybe Kightly. Of the others Nzonzi He troubles me prone to sulks and his lack of enthusiasm to chase back for the Everton goal was disappointing. Ethers would give it a go but for how many games? Cameron Laid back American where relegation in Sport in the USA just doesn't happen Crouch Jerome and Jones were all hinted at by the manager that they could leave last January. What affect did that have to their commitment to the cause? Adam...Maybe Shotts.Nah Bego...Off in summer Owen...Why should he bother? Has anyone in the squad actually been successful in a relegation scrap...plenty have been relegated..Nzonzi,Huth,Kightly,Adam,Jerome. And even TP who has never been relegated, has he that much experience of a down to the wire scrap? Maybe its just me but I don't see too many natural leaders in our team who can inspire others when the going gets tough. Lets hope all the above becomes hypothetical over the next 2/3 weeks Id say Kightly has just slightly less backbone than a stickleback |
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Post by elystokie on Apr 4, 2013 16:14:39 GMT
I think the fact that in a relegation battle if that's where we are, you have the excruciating 'axe, axe, axe' as your signature tells its own story about your priorities. Are the two really mutually exclusive? Evidently in his eyes |
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Post by sheikhmomo on Apr 4, 2013 16:21:54 GMT
Are the two really mutually exclusive? Evidently in his eyes It seems to me that manager agendas are way above which division we're playing in next year in the priorities of some. You'd think for a few weeks that hostilities could be put to one side and credit in the bank of previous achievements could be used. Silly me, Plus the fact that the 'axe' thing is just a little bit wanks as well. |
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Post by elystokie on Apr 4, 2013 16:27:35 GMT
Evidently in his eyes It seems to me that manager agendas are way above which division we're playing in next year in the priorities of some. You'd think for a few weeks that hostilities could be put to one side and credit in the bank of previous achievements could be used. Silly me, Plus the fact that the 'axe' thing is just a little bit wanks as well. And your critical jibe about the fans wasn't part of any 'manager agenda' whatsoever presumably? In your eyes. Off to work (gotta love night shifts) so I'm not ignoring you  |
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Post by stockportstokie on Apr 4, 2013 16:30:13 GMT
All the evidence suggests they are up for it, are the fans up to it, is a more pertinent question. Bizarre, they we've come to expect nothing else from the Pulis hardliners. Huth - Relegated with 'Boro. Jerome - Relegated with Brum. Owen - Relegated with Newcastle. Adam - Relegated with Blackpool. N'Zonzi - Relegated with Blackburn. Etherington - Relegated with West Ham. Jones - Relegated with Southampton. Sorenson - Relegated with Sunderland. Kightly - Relegated with Wolves. Crouch - Relegated with QPR & Southampton Whitehead - Relegated with Sunderland. Wilson - Relegated with Portsmouth. |
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Post by sheikhmomo on Apr 4, 2013 16:34:23 GMT
It seems to me that manager agendas are way above which division we're playing in next year in the priorities of some. You'd think for a few weeks that hostilities could be put to one side and credit in the bank of previous achievements could be used. Silly me, Plus the fact that the 'axe' thing is just a little bit wanks as well. And your critical jibe about the fans wasn't part of any 'manager agenda' whatsoever presumably? In your eyes. Off to work (gotta love night shifts) so I'm not ignoring you Not really but I think that all manager hostilities should be parked for the minute. He isn't going to be sacked this season even if we lose on Saturday and nor should he be. Have a bearable evening at work. |
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Post by sheikhmomo on Apr 4, 2013 16:37:15 GMT
All the evidence suggests they are up for it, are the fans up to it, is a more pertinent question. Bizarre, they we've come to expect nothing else from the Pulis hardliners. Huth - Relegated with 'Boro. Jerome - Relegated with Brum. Owen - Relegated with Newcastle. Adam - Relegated with Blackpool. N'Zonzi - Relegated with Blackburn. Etherington - Relegated with West Ham. Jones - Relegated with Southampton. Sorenson - Relegated with Sunderland. Kightly - Relegated with Wolves. Crouch - Relegated with QPR & Southampton Whitehead - Relegated with Sunderland. Wilson - Relegated with Portsmouth. That tells utterly nothing about the current attitude of the players. I think the reason for say, Portsmouth's demise ran a lille deeper than Mark Wilson or his attitude! |
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