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Post by Trouserdog on Sept 2, 2013 17:58:27 GMT
Anyone who has ever read any of my posts before may have picked up my strong preference for Kenwyne Jones over Peter Crouch- especially under TP (I only think I mentioned it two or three hundred times  . When the new manager came in I was quite prepared to give Crouch another chance, hoping that a change in formation and style might suit him.However, his lack of pace is just as exposed in the 4-3-3 as the 4-4-1-1 (no surprise) and once again I'm banging the Kenwyne drum. I know a lot of people are bleating about us not signing another striker but IMO if Hughes can get Kenwyne motivated again then we already have the man who can make this system work. The 4-3-3 needs pace and strength in that central role, just as much as the front man did under Pulis, and so far I think Kenwyne's looked sharp. The massive downside of his game-even when he's on form-is that his finishing can be erratic, but with the kind of price bracket that we're operating in, there are always going to be one or two 'missing' attributes...otherwise we'd be shopping in the £30m+ market for world-class superstars, which isn't going to happen is it? By the sounds of it, Arnautovic (I need to practice writing and pronouncing that!) can operate centrally as well, so if the plan is to start him wide-left, it's not beyond the realms of imagination to assume that he might be moved infield if Jones gets injured at any point...which kind of kills two birds with one stone. I'm going to stick my neck on the block here and predict that, assuming nothing unexpected happens in the next four hours, we will finally see the Kenwyne Jones that we shelled out £8 million on. The target man who can be unplayable on his day and who looked so impressive during the 2011 cup final run-in. I know people question his attitude, but how motivated would you be at work if- no matter how well you were doing at your job- the boss continually overlooked you in favour of his blue-eyed boy? Every time Jones had a run in the team he'd be inexplicably dropped the moment Crouch became available again. This might turn out to be an "OK, I was wrong- the bloke is fucking wank" moment when this thread gets dragged up again in nine months time, but sod it- I've never been one for fence sitting when it comes to Stoke. King Kenwyne- Your time has come!  |
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Post by lordb on Sept 2, 2013 18:00:34 GMT
I think he will be.....ok
& then leave on a free next summer
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Post by thepremierbanksy on Sept 2, 2013 18:04:43 GMT
He was immense during the Crouch at the dentist period last season too, and dropping him was one of the most inexplicable actions of TP's career, which takes a bit of doing.
However, along with him going through a period of not-arsedness, my misgiving with Jones is that he's out of contract next summer and I think he will probably fuck off even if we offer him a decentish contract. Of course Diouf is in the same boat, but if he carries on scoring 1 every 2 games in the Bundesliga then he'll probably be out of our wage-bracket anyway. Would be great to get him on a pre-contract deal, but there is no incentive for him to do that.
Not the end of the world though and I think we've probably got enough firepower up top until January at least.
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Post by FullerMagic on Sept 2, 2013 18:07:08 GMT
His contract situation is intriguing, especially if we now see him as the main man for 2013-14.
Wonder what the plan is.
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Post by Trouserdog on Sept 2, 2013 18:11:03 GMT
His contract situation is intriguing, especially if we now see him as the main man for 2013-14. Wonder what the plan is. *singing* Sign him up! Sign him up! Sign him up!* |
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Post by BigKahunaBurger on Sept 2, 2013 18:15:52 GMT
Completely agree Trouser, it's KJ's season and he's going to prove a lot of people wrong!
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Post by boomboom on Sept 2, 2013 18:15:58 GMT
His contract situation is intriguing, especially if we now see him as the main man for 2013-14. Wonder what the plan is. The cynic in me says that contract talks are coming soon! KJ to leave Stoke having had a great season in a World Cup year. Hopefully he will get a chance to show it, I think he.owes it to himself, let alone the punters. |
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Post by padders01 on Sept 2, 2013 18:16:48 GMT
@kj9nes: Deadline day is ah madness
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Post by fortressbritannia on Sept 2, 2013 18:23:59 GMT
I suspect we'll keep Jones sweating and 'playing' for a new contract before offering him one in December.
For what it's worth Jones scored 9 league goals in 33 league starts and that's with the dreadful Jones and Carew upfront experiment for 5/6 games. He could well be able to squeeze under a goal every 3 games.
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Post by yeswilko on Sept 2, 2013 18:26:56 GMT
I can see Kenny stepping up, he's a monster when he's in the mood and feeling loved. Also, i never feel like the opposition will score from a set piece when he plays, as anything that comes into our box he leaps like a salmon and heads it miles.. awesome.
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Post by Clayton Wood on Sept 2, 2013 18:35:12 GMT
Kenwyne j Jones ?@kj9nes 12m
This shud be a national holiday
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2013 18:36:42 GMT
I just don't see Jones as good enough to get us in the top ten in the prem. That takes consistency and Jones never has had that. Keep him by all means but he needs a serious rival to keep him trying as he lacks the self motivation to do it himself, Crouch , disappointingly has failed to provide that rivalry instead just hogging the place preventing Jones from changing my mind and I'm sure other peoples. I was hoping we could grab Ba at least for a season, maybe I'm getting a little ahead of our clubs ambition and need to be more patient.
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Post by NassauDave on Sept 2, 2013 18:47:01 GMT
This is the best opportunity that Kenwyne will ever have.
Crouch is out of form and we have a new manager who will give him a chance.
Now, if Kenwyne continues putting himself about like he did at West Ham, we could see the striker that we had all previously hoped for.
He has done himslf no favours in the past, but with a better work ethic and more aggression he really has all it takes.
Fingers crossed.
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Post by trickydicky73 on Sept 2, 2013 18:48:31 GMT
Completely agree Trouser, it's KJ's season and he's going to prove a lot of people wrong! I hope so, mate. I like KJ and prefer him to Crouch, but he's got to step up now. If he gets a run of games under Hughes, I think he'll be fine. |
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Post by boskampsflaps on Sept 2, 2013 18:51:40 GMT
This is the best opportunity that Kenwyne will ever have. Crouch is out of form and we have a new manager who will give him a chance. Now, if Kenwyne continues putting himself about like he did at West Ham, we could see the striker that we had all previously hoped for. He has done himslf no favours in the past, but with a better work ethic and more aggression he really has all it takes. Fingers crossed. I'm convinced if our crossing was better against West Ham Jones would have at least one goal to his name, took up some good positions in the box, I reckon he'll get a decent amount this season. |
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Post by Trouserdog on Sept 2, 2013 18:53:39 GMT
I was really hoping that we'd bugger Crouch off to be honest, because as long as he's here then there's always the danger of Hughes having an 'OMG! It's Peter Crouch' moment and bringing him back in.
However, on the evidence so far, Hughes does seem a lot more sensible than Pulis and has openly spoken about the importance of pace up-front. Come on 'Arry, the lad wants to go back to London. To be honest I'm not doing anything tonight and have a full tank of petrol...I'm here if you need me Stoke.
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Sept 2, 2013 18:56:47 GMT
It is an interesting situation. I'm someone who prefers Jones to Crouch - mainly because of Crouch's lack of pace which means he will never really be suited to our style of play under TP or Sparky. I expected Jones to leave because he was in the last year of his contract but it seems that either the offers for him were not attractive or Sparky wants to give him a chance to prove himself.
Either way, KJ has a chance (which he probably did not expect) to prove he deserves another contract. I hope he proves it and gets an offer. If he doesn't prove he deserves a contract then I would hope Agudelo can step up to the plate in January.
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Post by murphthesurf on Sept 2, 2013 19:12:53 GMT
Anyone who has ever read any of my posts before may have picked up my strong preference for Kenwyne Jones over Peter Crouch- especially under TP (I only think I mentioned it two or three hundred times . When the new manager came in I was quite prepared to give Crouch another chance, hoping that a change in formation and style might suit him.However, his lack of pace is just as exposed in the 4-3-3 as the 4-4-1-1 (no surprise) and once again I'm banging the Kenwyne drum. I know a lot of people are bleating about us not signing another striker but IMO if Hughes can get Kenwyne motivated again then we already have the man who can make this system work. The 4-3-3 needs pace and strength in that central role, just as much as the front man did under Pulis, and so far I think Kenwyne's looked sharp. The massive downside of his game-even when he's on form-is that his finishing can be erratic, but with the kind of price bracket that we're operating in, there are always going to be one or two 'missing' attributes...otherwise we'd be shopping in the £30m+ market for world-class superstars, which isn't going to happen is it? By the sounds of it, Arnautovic (I need to practice writing and pronouncing that!) can operate centrally as well, so if the plan is to start him wide-left, it's not beyond the realms of imagination to assume that he might be moved infield if Jones gets injured at any point...which kind of kills two birds with one stone. I'm going to stick my neck on the block here and predict that, assuming nothing unexpected happens in the next four hours, we will finally see the Kenwyne Jones that we shelled out £8 million on. The target man who can be unplayable on his day and who looked so impressive during the 2011 cup final run-in. I know people question his attitude, but how motivated would you be at work if- no matter how well you were doing at your job- the boss continually overlooked you in favour of his blue-eyed boy? Every time Jones had a run in the team he'd be inexplicably dropped the moment Crouch became available again. This might turn out to be an "OK, I was wrong- the bloke is fucking wank" moment when this thread gets dragged up again in nine months time, but sod it- I've never been one for fence sitting when it comes to Stoke. King Kenwyne- Your time has come! |
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Post by murphthesurf on Sept 2, 2013 19:15:21 GMT
I was really hoping that we'd bugger Crouch off to be honest, because as long as he's here then there's always the danger of Hughes having an 'OMG! It's Peter Crouch' moment and bringing him back in. However, on the evidence so far, Hughes does seem a lot more sensible than Pulis and has openly spoken about the importance of pace up-front. Come on 'Arry, the lad wants to go back to London. To be honest I'm not doing anything tonight and have a full tank of petrol...I'm here if you need me Stoke.  |
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Post by Paul Spencer on Sept 2, 2013 19:18:55 GMT
I was really hoping that we'd bugger Crouch off to be honest, because as long as he's here then there's always the danger of Hughes having an 'OMG! It's Peter Crouch' moment and bringing him back in. However, on the evidence so far, Hughes does seem a lot more sensible than Pulis and has openly spoken about the importance of pace up-front. Come on 'Arry, the lad wants to go back to London. To be honest I'm not doing anything tonight and have a full tank of petrol...I'm here if you need me Stoke. The problem TP had, was that he had to prove he hadn't wasted £10 million of the Coates family on the wrong player and in doing so he felt obliged to start Crouch at every opportunity. The mistake isn't that of the new manager though, so Hughes will be free to choose the man to lead his line without any agenda. If I'm honest I'll feel a little more easy too if Crouch leaves this evening but as long as the plan is to start KJ against Citeh (which I think he will) then I'm not too bothered if he doesn't. |
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Post by RAF on Sept 2, 2013 19:20:47 GMT
I'm surprised Stafford hasn't been on telling us how lazy and wank he is?
H
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Post by Block 22 on Sept 2, 2013 19:22:08 GMT
I'm surprised Stafford hasn't been on telling us how lazy and wank he is? H He's outnumbered on this thread. |
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Post by Stafford-Stokie on Sept 2, 2013 19:23:21 GMT
I'm surprised Stafford hasn't been on telling us how lazy and wank he is? H No need. If you can see further than the end of your nose you can see for yourself. Lets just sit back and see who is right eh. |
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Post by Stafford-Stokie on Sept 2, 2013 19:24:13 GMT
I'm surprised Stafford hasn't been on telling us how lazy and wank he is? H He's outnumbered on this thread. I didn't realise it was playground stuff. Haha. |
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Post by RAF on Sept 2, 2013 19:28:56 GMT
I'm surprised Stafford hasn't been on telling us how lazy and wank he is? H No need. If you can see further than the end of your nose you can see for yourself. Lets just sit back and see who is right eh. I've always rated him, you are barking up the wrong tree. H |
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Post by thepremierbanksy on Sept 2, 2013 19:30:05 GMT
I was really hoping that we'd bugger Crouch off to be honest, because as long as he's here then there's always the danger of Hughes having an 'OMG! It's Peter Crouch' moment and bringing him back in. However, on the evidence so far, Hughes does seem a lot more sensible than Pulis and has openly spoken about the importance of pace up-front. Come on 'Arry, the lad wants to go back to London. To be honest I'm not doing anything tonight and have a full tank of petrol...I'm here if you need me Stoke. The problem TP had, was that he had to prove he hadn't wasted £10 million of the Coates family on the wrong player and in doing so he felt obliged to start Crouch at every opportunity. The mistake isn't that of the new manager though, so Hughes will be free to choose the man to lead his line without any agenda. If I'm honest I'll feel a little more easy too if Crouch leaves this evening but as long as the plan is to start KJ against Citeh (which I think he will) then I'm not too bothered if he doesn't. I find that a bit curious Paul - I know we don't know much about some of our new signings, but surely if Jones gets injured Hughes you would be sticking Crouch straight in his place? Or do you think Walters/Marko whatisname? For me Jones' best form was last year when Crouch had his teething problems so to speak - Jones knew he had to perform as Pulis was obviously going to drop him given the first excuse. Not sure if that period was his best in terms of goals, but his overall performances were immense. That said I won't be worrying too much if Crouch does go. |
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Post by Stafford-Stokie on Sept 2, 2013 19:31:25 GMT
No need. If you can see further than the end of your nose you can see for yourself. Lets just sit back and see who is right eh. I've always rated him, you are barking up the wrong tree. H On his day I also rate him but he is to hit and miss. I really hope he has a great season and proves me wrong but I just can't see it. |
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Post by Dave the Rave on Sept 2, 2013 19:32:34 GMT
I'm just not sure he's good enough to do it.
Technically he's very poor and his finishing isn't brilliant. I can't remember any really good finishes (bar Tottenham away), he tends to bundle most goals in.
His goalscoring record has never been fantastic, although I suppose he's at the right age now to hit a purple patch in his career.
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Post by Trouserdog on Sept 2, 2013 19:36:30 GMT
The problem TP had, was that he had to prove he hadn't wasted £10 million of the Coates family on the wrong player and in doing so he felt obliged to start Crouch at every opportunity. The mistake isn't that of the new manager though, so Hughes will be free to choose the man to lead his line without any agenda. If I'm honest I'll feel a little more easy too if Crouch leaves this evening but as long as the plan is to start KJ against Citeh (which I think he will) then I'm not too bothered if he doesn't. I find that a bit curious Paul - I know we don't know much about some of our new signings, but surely if Jones gets injured Hughes you would be sticking Crouch straight in his place? Or do you think Walters/Marko whatisname? For me Jones' best form was last year when Crouch had his teething problems so to speak - Jones knew he had to perform as Pulis was obviously going to drop him given the first excuse. Not sure if that period was his best in terms of goals, but his overall performances were immense. That said I won't be worrying too much if Crouch does go. I hope that Auto Vic (That'll do- I can't be arsed typing his name) has the tools to play centrally because otherwise we're left with players who really do lack the fundamentals to play a lone central role. Crouch has no pace, as we surely all agree on, while Jerome has absolutely no ball control whatsoever. I think Walters would actually be the best of a very bad bunch of options but he's all workrate and not a lot else, so he'd probably be just as ineffective as the others. |
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Post by Block 22 on Sept 2, 2013 19:38:03 GMT
I've always rated him, you are barking up the wrong tree. H On his day I also rate him but he is to hit and miss. I really hope he has a great season and proves me wrong but I just can't see it. Bullshit! You can't wait for him to have a bad game and Crouch to be back in the team. |
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. When the new manager came in I was quite prepared to give Crouch another chance, hoping that a change in formation and style might suit him.However, his lack of pace is just as exposed in the 4-3-3 as the 4-4-1-1 (no surprise) and once again I'm banging the Kenwyne drum.
