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Post by cheekymatt71 on Mar 12, 2014 9:09:35 GMT
he scored 7 league goals in the next 2 seasons Jones scored 9 in his first season alone. The lack of goals from forwards in our second season was probably part of the reason why we spent £8M on Jones....and it paid off. The success of Jones was probably a big part of the reason why Pulis went for Crouch - proven goalscorers would make the difference. mcf what is your honest opinion of Crouch NOW? Would you like to see him stay at Stoke next season and lead the line? Become back-up or sold off? When Pulis bought Crouch at the time it seemed the logical thing to do. Now with hindsight it's totally hampered our style of play, even though the guy is a quality target man and finisher.
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Post by Somebody_Told_Me on Mar 12, 2014 9:11:55 GMT
I've spoke to T.P. alot about Fuller while he (Fuller) was still here and afterwards. Tony knew it was the right time to let him go (mainley to upper body strength, shoulder issues) but no way tried to kick him in the balls and humiliate him like some say. Tony loved and still loves Fuller. (some stories where he could never loose his rag with Ric are a pisser) I have never spoken to Fuller but I get the impression that feeling was mutual. I always thought he could have stayed for longer and even told Tony that, but the fact he didn't was nothing but a pure football decision from T.P. That all adds up for me. But if it was a pure football decision to phase him out then, for me, it was arguably the biggest bollock TP dropped in his time as our manager. Despite the sterling efforts of Crouch and Walters we've never come close to replacing Ric. He was a one off and we should have been moulding the team around him rather than shoehorning him into positions that were alien to him. Yes , but where do you get another Ric??
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Post by foxysgloves on Mar 12, 2014 9:17:39 GMT
That all adds up for me. But if it was a pure football decision to phase him out then, for me, it was arguably the biggest bollock TP dropped in his time as our manager. Despite the sterling efforts of Crouch and Walters we've never come close to replacing Ric. He was a one off and we should have been moulding the team around him rather than shoehorning him into positions that were alien to him. Yes , but where do you get another Ric?? You don't which is why I would have hoped we could have got another year or two out of him by adapting the team to suit him rather than trying to adapt him to suit the team. Maybe his fitness prevented that, I don't know, but if at all possible I would have liked to see him in his proper position with proper support in his last few months. Only then could we genuinely say he was finished if he failed to deliver.
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Post by davejohnno1 on Mar 12, 2014 9:21:27 GMT
Without wishing to go over the old ground of whether Ric should have gone when he did or become an outcast when he did (essentially he was deemed to be surplus to requirements in December 2010), I have seen Ric play twice this season and in both games he was considerably better than the options we were putting out up front. I saw him play once last season and he was a better than anything we had to offer then as well.
He certainly wasn't the player that we once had but he was Blackpool's best player by far and better than anything we had to offer early in the season. Is that still the case following his latest injury/suspension? I couldn't comment.
As for MCF's comments about lack of goals, in some respects that is fair enough. Ric never scored enough goals given his ability but you need to temper that by the fact that he pretty much carried our whole attacking threat on his back. Our second premier league season, despite something like only 3 league goals for the campaign, in my opinion, was Ric's best for us. I think he got 11 in total that season including cup games but the goals tally simply didn't tell the whole story about just how good he was.
He also started our 3rd season superbly and despite becoming more and more a bit part player, he often changed games in our favour when coming of the bench (he won us the game at Newcastle and was only on the pitch for about 7 minutes. In that time we came from 1-0 down to win 2-1) and in my opinion again, the spell of form in October/November 2010 was the best we ever played in the Premier League and was actually an early pre-cursor to what would be possible later in the season when Pulis rediscovered his bollocks.
With KJ and Ric in tandem, we destroyed Liverpool and went on a great little run of about 6 games where we played great. If I remember right it ended with defeat at home to Blackpool in a game in which Ric had a mare in terms of missing chances and that was him done for pretty much.
Ric probably did leave at the right time but the thread creation wasn't aimed to start a debate about that. It was simply to acknowledge that the great man was back for Blackpool having been out for 17 games, during which period they didn't win a single one.
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Post by scfcwebby on Mar 12, 2014 9:22:17 GMT
He has done fuck all since leaving here. Past it and gone at the right time. **BREAKING NEWS** Stafford-Stokie in PHW shocker!! :-P
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2014 9:25:50 GMT
That Cuban Missile Crisis could easily escalate if we are not careful....
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Post by Kjones9 on Mar 12, 2014 9:29:41 GMT
Like Dave said I wouldn't let the lack of goals to his name fool you, he had a great knack of winning the throw ins and corners that we scored most of our goals from.
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Post by mcf on Mar 12, 2014 10:19:57 GMT
Without wishing to go over the old ground of whether Ric should have gone when he did or become an outcast when he did (essentially he was deemed to be surplus to requirements in December 2010), I have seen Ric play twice this season and in both games he was considerably better than the options we were putting out up front. I saw him play once last season and he was a better than anything we had to offer then as well. He certainly wasn't the player that we once had but he was Blackpool's best player by far and better than anything we had to offer early in the season. Is that still the case following his latest injury/suspension? I couldn't comment. As for MCF's comments about lack of goals, in some respects that is fair enough. Ric never scored enough goals given his ability but you need to temper that by the fact that he pretty much carried our whole attacking threat on his back. Our second premier league season, despite something like only 3 league goals for the campaign, in my opinion, was Ric's best for us. I think he got 11 in total that season including cup games but the goals tally simply didn't tell the whole story about just how good he was. He also started our 3rd season superbly and despite becoming more and more a bit part player, he often changed games in our favour when coming of the bench (he won us the game at Newcastle and was only on the pitch for about 7 minutes. In that time we came from 1-0 down to win 2-1) and in my opinion again, the spell of form in October/November 2010 was the best we ever played in the Premier League and was actually an early pre-cursor to what would be possible later in the season when Pulis rediscovered his bollocks. With KJ and Ric in tandem, we destroyed Liverpool and went on a great little run of about 6 games where we played great. If I remember right it ended with defeat at home to Blackpool in a game in which Ric had a mare in terms of missing chances and that was him done for pretty much. Ric probably did leave at the right time but the thread creation wasn't aimed to start a debate about that. It was simply to acknowledge that the great man was back for Blackpool having been out for 17 games, during which period they didn't win a single one. you are right Johnno...the thread wasn't created for that...but it got hijacked by 'Wezza the Wankstain' (bet you love that title Wezzo )
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Post by mcf on Mar 12, 2014 10:24:54 GMT
he scored 7 league goals in the next 2 seasons Jones scored 9 in his first season alone. The lack of goals from forwards in our second season was probably part of the reason why we spent £8M on Jones....and it paid off. The success of Jones was probably a big part of the reason why Pulis went for Crouch - proven goalscorers would make the difference. mcf what is your honest opinion of Crouch NOW? Would you like to see him stay at Stoke next season and lead the line? Become back-up or sold off? When Pulis bought Crouch at the time it seemed the logical thing to do. Now with hindsight it's totally hampered our style of play, even though the guy is a quality target man and finisher. Not sure tbh Matt Depends on what next season's plans are about how we want to play. I would possibly let him go if we could get £3-5M for him but I'd keep him otherwise.
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Post by werrington on Mar 12, 2014 10:40:25 GMT
He who shall not be named isolated him and made it clear he wanted him out for 18 months without having the balls to say so That last game v Bolton was an insult well done Wezzo....5 posts in and you have turned it into a 'kick Tony Pulis in the bollocks' post. I love Fuller as much as the next man but you are off your trolleys if you think he would still be cutting it in the Premiership over the last couple of years. After his simply unbelievable first season in the Prem then he simply struggled to keep it going. Ethers and Tuncay outscored him in 09/10 in the league....Kitson scored as many from less games. He " cut it " better than John Carew and Michael Owen though Merk The two players he was ultimately cast aside for......the latter who hardly played a game for nearly two years Criminal
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2014 10:47:58 GMT
Great player in his heyday but we have seen his best years.time to let it go now. p.s. when was he knighted?
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Post by mcf on Mar 12, 2014 11:05:02 GMT
well done Wezzo....5 posts in and you have turned it into a 'kick Tony Pulis in the bollocks' post. I love Fuller as much as the next man but you are off your trolleys if you think he would still be cutting it in the Premiership over the last couple of years. After his simply unbelievable first season in the Prem then he simply struggled to keep it going. Ethers and Tuncay outscored him in 09/10 in the league....Kitson scored as many from less games. He " cut it " better than John Carew and Michael Owen though Merk The two players he was ultimately cast aside for......the latter who hardly played a game for nearly two years Criminal yep...fair point...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2014 13:07:07 GMT
He who shall not be named isolated him and made it clear he wanted him out for 18 months without having the balls to say so That last game v Bolton was an insult I've spoke to T.P. alot about Fuller while he (Fuller) was still here and afterwards. Tony knew it was the right time to let him go (mainley to upper body strength, shoulder issues) but no way tried to kick him in the balls and humiliate him like some say. Tony loved and still loves Fuller. (some stories where he could never loose his rag with Ric are a pisser) I have never spoken to Fuller but I get the impression that feeling was mutual. I always thought he could have stayed for longer and even told Tony that, but the fact he didn't was nothing but a pure football decision from T.P. Why hang him out to dry on the wing for his last few appearances then? Why not either play him up front or just not bother? Ric still looked useful off the bench in his last season even if his legs had started to go.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2014 13:08:59 GMT
Also, in 09/10 he was still comfortably one of our most important players despite a lack of goals. Our threat was greatly reduced without him and remained so until we clicked into gear the following spring.
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Post by mcf on Mar 12, 2014 13:21:09 GMT
Also, in 09/10 he was still comfortably one of our most important players despite a lack of goals. Our threat was greatly reduced without him and remained so until we clicked into gear the following spring. like Johnny Walters and Crouch now then.....
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Post by nononsense on Mar 12, 2014 13:22:25 GMT
He is the only true skilled, goal poacher/scorer we have had at the club in many a season !!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2014 13:24:19 GMT
Also, in 09/10 he was still comfortably one of our most important players despite a lack of goals. Our threat was greatly reduced without him and remained so until we clicked into gear the following spring. like Johnny Walters and Crouch now then..... Whatever helps, Merk.
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Post by Somebody_Told_Me on Mar 12, 2014 13:36:35 GMT
I've spoke to T.P. alot about Fuller while he (Fuller) was still here and afterwards. Tony knew it was the right time to let him go (mainley to upper body strength, shoulder issues) but no way tried to kick him in the balls and humiliate him like some say. Tony loved and still loves Fuller. (some stories where he could never loose his rag with Ric are a pisser) I have never spoken to Fuller but I get the impression that feeling was mutual. I always thought he could have stayed for longer and even told Tony that, but the fact he didn't was nothing but a pure football decision from T.P. Why hang him out to dry on the wing for his last few appearances then? Why not either play him up front or just not bother? Ric still looked useful off the bench in his last season even if his legs had started to go. Not sure and to be honest should have asked, but never did. No point me asking now, it's gone. I thought at time we were short on left, he tried it. It didn't work. I like most would have liked him to stay and come on for last 20 mins. Perhaps Ric wanted more than that.
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Post by boskampsflaps on Mar 12, 2014 13:36:48 GMT
he scored 7 league goals in the next 2 seasons Jones scored 9 in his first season alone. The lack of goals from forwards in our second season was probably part of the reason why we spent £8M on Jones....and it paid off. The success of Jones was probably a big part of the reason why Pulis went for Crouch - proven goalscorers would make the difference. mcf what is your honest opinion of Crouch NOW? Would you like to see him stay at Stoke next season and lead the line? Become back-up or sold off? When Pulis bought Crouch at the time it seemed the logical thing to do. Now with hindsight it's totally hampered our style of play, even though the guy is a quality target man and finisher. Did it!
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Post by cheekymatt71 on Mar 12, 2014 13:45:07 GMT
mcf what is your honest opinion of Crouch NOW? Would you like to see him stay at Stoke next season and lead the line? Become back-up or sold off? When Pulis bought Crouch at the time it seemed the logical thing to do. Now with hindsight it's totally hampered our style of play, even though the guy is a quality target man and finisher. Did it! Yes I was super excited at the time along with many others. Thought he was a great player AND suit us down to the ground. It wasnt just because he was a big name. I wasnt bothered when Owen signed for example as he clearly would never fit in a Pulis team as a goal poacher.
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Post by iglugluk on Mar 12, 2014 13:48:03 GMT
It didn't seem as though TP loved him to be honest. His last season was not properly handled, for me, and the left-wing thing was perplexing if, indeed, TP only wanted the best for him. I find it hard to understand the claim that he didn't have enough upper body strength........that is just quite obviously untrue, I mean, come on!!
Hope he continues to play well at Blackpool though he deserves a good end to his career.
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Post by mcf on Mar 12, 2014 13:56:19 GMT
I don't think any other player would have been allowed to pick a fight with the captain during a game, interview on TV like he couldn't give a fuck whether he was punished, kept by Stoke, or not, and then be the one to come out on top.
Griffin was largely done for after that episode and Fuller kept.
Isn't that about right?
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Post by boskampsflaps on Mar 12, 2014 14:02:41 GMT
Did it! Yes I was super excited at the time along with many others. Thought he was a great player AND suit us down to the ground. It wasnt just because he was a big name. I wasnt bothered when Owen signed for example as he clearly would never fit in a Pulis team as a goal poacher. You may have been excited but it certainly wasn't the logical thing to do, he wasn't needed and would waste money we needed to spend elsewhere.
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Post by mickstupp on Mar 12, 2014 14:21:20 GMT
I'd agree that Fullers best season was 09/10.
Just three league goals, but just look at his role in all four of our away wins that year. He scored a worldie at West Ham and created winning goals at Spurs, Pompey, and Fulham with those trademark powerful runs to the byline, cutting the ball back for Whelan, Diao, and Ethers to score the winning goals.
He's shot now (personally, I think he was let go at the right time), but we certainly miss that kind of forward play he gave to us when he was in his pomp.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2014 14:47:46 GMT
Did it! Yes I was super excited at the time along with many others. Thought he was a great player AND suit us down to the ground. It wasnt just because he was a big name. I wasnt bothered when Owen signed for example as he clearly would never fit in a Pulis team as a goal poacher. beg to differ about him suiting us down to the ground. personally i (and many others on here) was confused when we bought him and decided to stick him on his own up front given the fact that Crouch has never been a lone striker at any of his clubs before. if you want someone up front on his own then they have to have the ability to get past players and drive towards goal...Ric had that in spades, Crouch never has and never will. i like Crouch as a player but to say he suits us down to the ground is bizarre. we basically just bought a player that didn't fit at all into our system (and still doesn't now really) and cast aside one we already had who slotted in perfectly.
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Post by werrington on Mar 12, 2014 15:18:58 GMT
Did it! Yes I was super excited at the time along with many others. Thought he was a great player AND suit us down to the ground. It wasnt just because he was a big name. I wasnt bothered when Owen signed for example as he clearly would never fit in a Pulis team as a goal poacher. Did we really need him though ? Kenwyne was playing excellent and it was surely better to spend that money on somebody to play alongside him rather than replacing him ? Besides that our best pairing was Kenwyne and Fuller so it didn't even need spending Like Owen and Gudjonsen it was money spent that didn't need spending
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2014 16:32:31 GMT
Why hang him out to dry on the wing for his last few appearances then? Why not either play him up front or just not bother? Ric still looked useful off the bench in his last season even if his legs had started to go. Not sure and to be honest should have asked, but never did. No point me asking now, it's gone. I thought at time we were short on left, he tried it. It didn't work. I like most would have liked him to stay and come on for last 20 mins. Perhaps Ric wanted more than that. Walters and Jerome had more experience playing wide but weren't used there instead. Indeed, in his last game he went with Walters and Crouch up front and moved Walters wide to put Jerome up front late on. Fishy.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2014 16:34:38 GMT
I don't think any other player would have been allowed to pick a fight with the captain during a game, interview on TV like he couldn't give a fuck whether he was punished, kept by Stoke, or not, and then be the one to come out on top. Griffin was largely done for after that episode and Fuller kept. Isn't that about right? Yep. He made huge allowances for him for a long time, no question. Perplexing that he wanted him gone so desperately in the end though.
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Post by fortressbritannia on Mar 12, 2014 18:45:03 GMT
Ric wasn't a prolific a goalscorer but we didn't need him to be. One of his most valuable attributes was his ability to relieve pressure, I've lost count of the amount of times we were 1-0 up with our back to the wall and the ball would break to Ric and he'd go up the other end of the pitch and win a corner or a free kick.
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Post by thepremierbanksy on Mar 12, 2014 19:34:30 GMT
Yes I was super excited at the time along with many others. Thought he was a great player AND suit us down to the ground. It wasnt just because he was a big name. I wasnt bothered when Owen signed for example as he clearly would never fit in a Pulis team as a goal poacher. Did we really need him though ? Kenwyne was playing excellent and it was surely better to spend that money on somebody to play alongside him rather than replacing him ? Besides that our best pairing was Kenwyne and Fuller so it didn't even need spending Like Owen and Gudjonsen it was money spent that didn't need spending Kenwyne started and finished that season well, but he lived up to his own stereotype from October through to mid-March so you could understand the manager not having a great deal of faith in him, plus we had the extra games of the Europa league on the cards. Still the frustrating thing was having an £8m and a £10m striker who were never in a million years going to be on the pitch simultaneously. Crazy really.
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