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Post by davejohnno1 on Mar 24, 2014 13:42:18 GMT
It is very difficult to pass the ball effectively with little or no movement ahead of the ball and absolutely zero intelligent movement.
Walters is nowhere to be seen, the pedestrian Adam is suspended, and heypresto, you get two performances full of intelligent movement and all of a sudden, we pass it with a threat.
To play passing football you need 11 players all capable of moving intelligently and we haven't had that...until the last 2 games.
I think the current front 3 can only help Adam look a better player than he had been showing up to his suspension as well so it will be an interesting decision Hughes has v Hull.
Does he go with Ireland, Adam or keep the same 11 that performed so well yesterday?
Nice problems to have and the real positive is that Crouch has been revitalised this past two games. So much so that even I can't find anything to knock him for.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2014 13:42:59 GMT
Its funny because at Crystal Palace the first few games he played, he was quite attacking (even away at Chelsea they were threatening to score most of the game). He seemed to be having some early success at CP. Now though he's gone back to his binary football and they havent won for 7 games or so. The guy is scared of attacking despite all of the evidence to the contrary. "Back to his binary" indeed. Not scared of attacking, places too much faith in defence, is closer. |
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Post by nononsense on Mar 24, 2014 13:47:13 GMT
Dear Mark I have to say that I was simply stunned yet again. Back to back wins with barely a long ball in sight in either game. Wonderful passing football from a group that was certainly struggling with it a few games back. I'm simply astounded at the transformation in such a short space of time and I bow to your prediction of finishing the season strongly. We really look the business and it is thoroughly enjoyable and exciting to watch. ...now for the stains. Yep, I've had a little look at the board and I'm sure I will wander on to a few of those threads later. Maybe your posts would have a touch more credibility if you were posting such 'things' a month or 2 back. I seem to remember many of as worried as the Rimmers - predicting no more than 40 points and there was no fucking gloating of cocks off after the Sunderland game. If there is a man to credited with knowing what the future held it was Hughes - not you fucking wankers. Enjoy your days in the sun though...I hope they continue for a long, long time yet. Do you EVER, EVER post a comment on here without swearing like a moron ????? oh yeah, and what a useless post it was too! |
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Post by Sammz on Mar 24, 2014 13:59:01 GMT
We are the Potters, the Midlands we rule :-)))
I've always said Hughesy'll be better than Pulis me!
Look how knowledgeable & ace I am!
;-)
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Mar 24, 2014 14:15:00 GMT
It is very difficult to pass the ball effectively with little or no movement ahead of the ball and absolutely zero intelligent movement. Walters is nowhere to be seen, the pedestrian Adam is suspended, and heypresto, you get two performances full of intelligent movement and all of a sudden, we pass it with a threat. To play passing football you need 11 players all capable of moving intelligently and we haven't had that...until the last 2 games. I think the current front 3 can only help Adam look a better player than he had been showing up to his suspension as well so it will be an interesting decision Hughes has v Hull. Does he go with Ireland, Adam or keep the same 11 that performed so well yesterday? Nice problems to have and the real positive is that Crouch has been revitalised this past two games. So much so that even I can't find anything to knock him for. Well played again MH and the lads. So encouraging to see other members of the squad slotting in and playing well.
Sometimes just a couple of little tweaks can make a massive difference, then a couple of things go your way and the confidence soars.
Glenn Whelan is one. When he's on form like this he seems to glue our attack and defence together. Peter Crouch has proved one or two people wrong in terms of what he can do. An intelligent footballer who can bring others in and is a decent finisher. If we get people around him and going past him, he will thrive.
Odemwingie has been a masterstroke. Pace and one of the best finishers we've had for a while. While those 3 have upped their game, it's brought the best out of the supporting cast of Adam, Ireland, N'Zonzi and the gifted Arnautovich.
I can't see Walters playing against Hull, but wouldn't be surprised to see him start at Stamford Bridge. I have a feeling Adam may start against Hull, where we may need his passing and creativity to break them down. Ireland brings a different dimension, fantastic when we are passing and breaking quickly. If Hull have to chase the game, then Ireland comes on for Adam, this might work well.
Things look really good at the moment, with about 15 players making a real contribution. Happy days.
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Post by kitkatkev on Mar 24, 2014 14:34:37 GMT
I hope Mr Hughes has a lot more humble pie for me to eat. Credit were Credit is due we are nearly safe now I think I might relax and enjoy rest of season. I will end with this a great man once said never get to down when you get beat and to get carried away when you win.
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Post by Pugsley on Mar 24, 2014 14:45:19 GMT
I hope Mr Hughes has a lot more humble pie for me to eat. Credit were Credit is due we are nearly safe now I think I might relax and enjoy rest of season. I will end with this a great man once said never get to down when you get beat and to get carried away when you win. If you can't get carried away by our best ever away performance and win in the PL then football isn't worth watching and the club isn't worth supporting. I fucking give up - we were brilliant yesterday but some people want to play it down. |
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Post by davejohnno1 on Mar 24, 2014 16:27:05 GMT
I hope Mr Hughes has a lot more humble pie for me to eat. Credit were Credit is due we are nearly safe now I think I might relax and enjoy rest of season. I will end with this a great man once said never get to down when you get beat and to get carried away when you win. The comments of a man trying to dumb down supporters and keep expectations a level as low as possible are those to which you refer. Yesterday was brilliant, as was last week. If we can't revel in and get a little bit carried away for a day or two, then it isn't worth supporting a club like Stoke City. Mark Hughes nailed it when he said how pleased he was with the performance then stressed just how much more we can look to achieve this season. Not a mention of 40 points in sight. It's all about achievement. Mark Hughes was a winner as a player and he is clearly trying to send his team out with the same mentality not to be frightened by the prospect of achievement. The man you refer to was scared of any sort of expectation whereas the current man seems to embrace it. I've thoroughly enjoyed this season to date for the most part and the performances of the last two weeks have been coming for some time for those that can actually see what's in front of them. If only I was sad enough to be able to dredge up a Marco Arnatovic thread pre-christmas which contained my comments about some people not being able to see a footballer if one walked up and smacked them squarely in the face. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2014 16:29:34 GMT
I was certainly guilty of thinking the squad was worse than it was. I still think we're short in a few key areas but hopefully that'll be put right in the summer. I think after watching players' effectiveness diminished by the idiotic tactics that were often deployed, it's natural that many people eventually began to doubt the quality of the squad. The most obvious example of a player who has thrived under Hughes is Crouch. However, there are more of the Pulis old guard who've also been revitalised- Cameron, Whelan, Adam, N'Zonzi etc. The Rimmers will try to use that as evidence that TP made excellent signings- which is true- but what it highlights for me is that TP was such a tactical ignoramus (at times) that he managed to turn a few silk purses into sow's ears through his ridiculous tactics. Yeah, I think like Jamo said the fact that Hughes has managed to get a tune out of a crop that looked so demoralised and lifeless this time last year underlines that a change was the right decision. |
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Post by mcf on Mar 24, 2014 16:51:18 GMT
I think after watching players' effectiveness diminished by the idiotic tactics that were often deployed, it's natural that many people eventually began to doubt the quality of the squad. The most obvious example of a player who has thrived under Hughes is Crouch. However, there are more of the Pulis old guard who've also been revitalised- Cameron, Whelan, Adam, N'Zonzi etc. The Rimmers will try to use that as evidence that TP made excellent signings- which is true- but what it highlights for me is that TP was such a tactical ignoramus (at times) that he managed to turn a few silk purses into sow's ears through his ridiculous tactics. Yeah, I think like Jamo said the fact that Hughes has managed to get a tune out of a crop that looked so demoralised and lifeless this time last year underlines that a change was the right decision. Difficult to argue with that |
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Post by MarkWolstanton on Mar 24, 2014 17:32:36 GMT
I think after watching players' effectiveness diminished by the idiotic tactics that were often deployed, it's natural that many people eventually began to doubt the quality of the squad. The most obvious example of a player who has thrived under Hughes is Crouch. However, there are more of the Pulis old guard who've also been revitalised- Cameron, Whelan, Adam, N'Zonzi etc. The Rimmers will try to use that as evidence that TP made excellent signings- which is true- but what it highlights for me is that TP was such a tactical ignoramus (at times) that he managed to turn a few silk purses into sow's ears through his ridiculous tactics. Yeah, I think like Jamo said the fact that Hughes has managed to get a tune out of a crop that looked so demoralised and lifeless this time last year underlines that a change was the right decision. Difference can be summed up in very simple examples. We had a throw in on the edge of Liverpool's penalty area in the 90th minute a couple of years ago when throw ins were our best "something drop" chance. Rory was ordered by the bench to keep it in the corner. Yesterday in the 90th minute our right back was scoring in the opponents penalty area. |
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Post by numpty40 on Mar 24, 2014 17:49:03 GMT
I hope Mr Hughes has a lot more humble pie for me to eat. Credit were Credit is due we are nearly safe now I think I might relax and enjoy rest of season. I will end with this a great man once said never get to down when you get beat and to get carried away when you win. The comments of a man trying to dumb down supporters and keep expectations a level as low as possible are those to which you refer. Yesterday was brilliant, as was last week. If we can't revel in and get a little bit carried away for a day or two, then it isn't worth supporting a club like Stoke City. Mark Hughes nailed it when he said how pleased he was with the performance then stressed just how much more we can look to achieve this season. Not a mention of 40 points in sight. It's all about achievement. Mark Hughes was a winner as a player and he is clearly trying to send his team out with the same mentality not to be frightened by the prospect of achievement. The man you refer to was scared of any sort of expectation whereas the current man seems to embrace it. I've thoroughly enjoyed this season to date for the most part and the performances of the last two weeks have been coming for some time for those that can actually see what's in front of them. If only I was sad enough to be able to dredge up a Marco Arnatovic thread pre-christmas about some people not being able to see a footballer if one walked up and smacked them squarely in the face. Fully agree with everything written here. I was genuinely astounded when people were calling Arnie a show pony and far worse!! I couldn't believe that supporters couldn't see the ability this lad has, it was truly shocking. |
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Post by elystokie on Mar 24, 2014 18:18:23 GMT
I hope Mr Hughes has a lot more humble pie for me to eat. Credit were Credit is due we are nearly safe now I think I might relax and enjoy rest of season. I will end with this a great man once said never get to down when you get beat and to get carried away when you win. The comments of a man trying to dumb down supporters and keep expectations a level as low as possible are those to which you refer. Yesterday was brilliant, as was last week. If we can't revel in and get a little bit carried away for a day or two, then it isn't worth supporting a club like Stoke City. Mark Hughes nailed it when he said how pleased he was with the performance then stressed just how much more we can look to achieve this season. Not a mention of 40 points in sight. It's all about achievement. Mark Hughes was a winner as a player and he is clearly trying to send his team out with the same mentality not to be frightened by the prospect of achievement. The man you refer to was scared of any sort of expectation whereas the current man seems to embrace it. I've thoroughly enjoyed this season to date for the most part and the performances of the last two weeks have been coming for some time for those that can actually see what's in front of them. If only I was sad enough to be able to dredge up a Marco Arnatovic thread pre-christmas which contained my comments about some people not being able to see a footballer if one walked up and smacked them squarely in the face. Good post DJ Agree totally. |
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Post by dobing1863 on Mar 24, 2014 18:28:03 GMT
It's all beginning to come together ,in general I think most stokies have been patient and realised that it would take time.Im amazed how well it's gone and all credit to LMH think he has shown that he knows what he is doing
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Post by thepremierbanksy on Mar 24, 2014 18:37:18 GMT
The comments of a man trying to dumb down supporters and keep expectations a level as low as possible are those to which you refer. Yesterday was brilliant, as was last week. If we can't revel in and get a little bit carried away for a day or two, then it isn't worth supporting a club like Stoke City. Mark Hughes nailed it when he said how pleased he was with the performance then stressed just how much more we can look to achieve this season. Not a mention of 40 points in sight. It's all about achievement. Mark Hughes was a winner as a player and he is clearly trying to send his team out with the same mentality not to be frightened by the prospect of achievement. The man you refer to was scared of any sort of expectation whereas the current man seems to embrace it. I've thoroughly enjoyed this season to date for the most part and the performances of the last two weeks have been coming for some time for those that can actually see what's in front of them. If only I was sad enough to be able to dredge up a Marco Arnatovic thread pre-christmas about some people not being able to see a footballer if one walked up and smacked them squarely in the face. Fully agree with everything written here. I was genuinely astounded when people were calling Arnie a show pony and far worse!! I couldn't believe that supporters couldn't see the ability this lad has, it was truly shocking. Although I'm sure there were plenty of over the top criticisms in that thread, Arnautovic did put in some real shitters earlier in the season. Hughes dropping him has done him the world of good, he's applying himself now and we are reaping the rewards. |
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Post by elystokie on Mar 24, 2014 18:41:41 GMT
Fully agree with everything written here. I was genuinely astounded when people were calling Arnie a show pony and far worse!! I couldn't believe that supporters couldn't see the ability this lad has, it was truly shocking. Although I'm sure there were plenty of over the top criticisms in that thread, Arnautovic did put in some real shitters earlier in the season. Hughes dropping him has done him the world of good, he's applying himself now and we are reaping the rewards. There were reports of a stomach illness in those earlier days, that coupled with the problems associated with settling in a new country would have affected anybodies form, credit to him that he played at all. |
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Post by thepremierbanksy on Mar 24, 2014 18:48:55 GMT
Although I'm sure there were plenty of over the top criticisms in that thread, Arnautovic did put in some real shitters earlier in the season. Hughes dropping him has done him the world of good, he's applying himself now and we are reaping the rewards. There were reports of a stomach illness in those earlier days, that coupled with the problems associated with settling in a new country would have affected anybodies form, credit to him that he played at all. Those reports passed me by. Whatever mitigating circumstances it doesn't detract from the fact that people were judging what they saw in front of them. |
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Post by Northy on Mar 24, 2014 18:51:42 GMT
Dear Mark I have to say that I was simply stunned yet again. Back to back wins with barely a long ball in sight in either game. Wonderful passing football from a group that was certainly struggling with it a few games back. I'm simply astounded at the transformation in such a short space of time and I bow to your prediction of finishing the season strongly. We really look the business and it is thoroughly enjoyable and exciting to watch. ...now for the stains. Yep, I've had a little look at the board and I'm sure I will wander on to a few of those threads later. Maybe your posts would have a touch more credibility if you were posting such 'things' a month or 2 back. I seem to remember many of as worried as the Rimmers - predicting no more than 40 points and there was no fucking gloating of cocks off after the Sunderland game. If there is a man to credited with knowing what the future held it was Hughes - not you fucking wankers. Enjoy your days in the sun though...I hope they continue for a long, long time yet. You seriously need to grow up mate. Every bastard Monday now you post the same old tiresome drivel. Not normal behaviour for a grown man. He's actually a grown man, are they all grown men ? I thought it was just school kids bickering all the time ... |
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Post by adi on Mar 24, 2014 19:51:57 GMT
Dear Mark I have to say that I was simply stunned yet again. Back to back wins with barely a long ball in sight in either game. Wonderful passing football from a group that was certainly struggling with it a few games back. I'm simply astounded at the transformation in such a short space of time and I bow to your prediction of finishing the season strongly. We really look the business and it is thoroughly enjoyable and exciting to watch. ...now for the stains. Yep, I've had a little look at the board and I'm sure I will wander on to a few of those threads later. Maybe your posts would have a touch more credibility if you were posting such 'things' a month or 2 back. I seem to remember many of as worried as the Rimmers - predicting no more than 40 points and there was no fucking gloating of cocks off after the Sunderland game. If there is a man to credited with knowing what the future held it was Hughes - not you fucking wankers. Enjoy your days in the sun though...I hope they continue for a long, long time yet. How very sad. |
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Post by interestedobserver on Mar 25, 2014 12:53:51 GMT
One thing I do genuinely wonder today is what would Pulis have made of the game watching MOTD 2 with his old players: 1) Palacios playing 90 minutes in a windy game 2) Nzonzi breaking up the field to score 3) Geoff Cameron appearing on the left side penalty area to score 4) Shawcross raking cross-field passes to players other than Crouch 5) No Jon Walters 6) Not parking the bus when winning 3-1 away from home Im genuinely curious if it would make him wonder about his own techniques, especially away from home. Probably not is the answer which is a shame, cuz if he just had some more balls at times he would be a top manager Don't forget Arnie's backheel pass to Pieters. Arnie might have been fined for that goal. |
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Post by interestedobserver on Mar 25, 2014 13:03:42 GMT
As for the OP, he's right that a few months back a lot of the board was wondering how the club would stay up. But I think it's a false conclusion to suggest that there was universal pining for a return to the former regime. A lot of people talked about 'work in progress' and the real question seemed to be whether or not the change could take place in time to keep the club in the Prem.
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Post by Pugsley on Mar 25, 2014 13:07:50 GMT
One thing I do genuinely wonder today is what would Pulis have made of the game watching MOTD 2 with his old players: 1) Palacios playing 90 minutes in a windy game 2) Nzonzi breaking up the field to score 3) Geoff Cameron appearing on the left side penalty area to score 4) Shawcross raking cross-field passes to players other than Crouch 5) No Jon Walters 6) Not parking the bus when winning 3-1 away from home Im genuinely curious if it would make him wonder about his own techniques, especially away from home. Probably not is the answer which is a shame, cuz if he just had some more balls at times he would be a top manager Don't forget Arnie's backheel pass to Pieters. Arnie might have been fined for that goal. He would of been put in the naughty corner with Jermaine. |
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Post by Robo10 on Mar 25, 2014 13:14:48 GMT
Can you bring back your pre match previews MCF?
Used to be the highlight of many a drudgingly boring game :-)
I would love to read your before match ambles on Wenger, Arsenal, Moyes, Rooney, Mourhino, Abramovich
(Actually you might get sued so perhaps not!)
Am going to actually search for them to see if they still exist!
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Post by Mr_DaftBurger on Mar 25, 2014 13:23:20 GMT
Stoke City: Peter Coates hails best-ever away performance at Aston Villa "It was pretty good, a very enjoyable away day," said the chairman, "and we haven't had too many of those. "I've said before that we have played better away from home than results have indicated this season, but I still didn't think we were going to go and do that to Aston Villa. "When we went behind I thought 'here we go', but we got back into the game by playing attractive, attacking football to make it a great afternoon for all Stoke supporters. "It was a bonus that we were live on television, and I do believe we now appear to be getting a bit of recognition up and down the country that we can play football. "I remember in his early days here Mark Hughes telling me he was impressed with our players. "He spoke about Ryan Shawcross. He said anyone who'd been at Manchester United could play and pass a football because you don't get through that system without being able to play." Read more: www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Peter-Coates-hails-best-away/story-20847971-detail/story.html#ixzz2wyqU5RcsSo what is Coates saying?  |
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Post by interestedobserver on Mar 25, 2014 13:26:53 GMT
"It was a bonus that we were live on television..." I think he should avoid the word 'bonus' for a while. |
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Post by cheekymatt71 on Mar 25, 2014 16:05:15 GMT
I think that Coates singling out Shawcross for his passing ability is an indirect nod towards Woy Hodgson, who refuses to take another look at him.
Good old Peter, he's a wise old bugger who knows how to push a little agenda without coming across like Mourinho or Wenger
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2014 16:09:35 GMT
I hope Mr Hughes has a lot more humble pie for me to eat. Credit were Credit is due we are nearly safe now I think I might relax and enjoy rest of season. I will end with this a great man once said never get to down when you get beat and to get carried away when you win. If you can't get carried away by our best ever away performance and win in the PL then football isn't worth watching and the club isn't worth supporting. I fucking give up - we were brilliant yesterday but some people want to play it down. not playing it down Pugs.... as a great man ( ) once said "We've had a fantastic run of success. It's been an upwards curve now and that's very unusual at any football club, that you keep bettering what you've done year after year. "I think the great thing about the football club is the supporters have enjoyed it so much, but they remember what it's like in the Championship. They understand that our priority is to stay in the Premier League. " Managing expectations at football clubs now is almost as difficult as managing the players on the pitch, but you learn and you have to get on with it." let's just get to that 40 points mark then we can safely park the bus for the rest of the games until the end of the season and we'll all be happy  |
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Post by RAF on Mar 25, 2014 16:13:52 GMT
Dear Mark I have to say that I was simply stunned yet again. Back to back wins with barely a long ball in sight in either game. Wonderful passing football from a group that was certainly struggling with it a few games back. I'm simply astounded at the transformation in such a short space of time and I bow to your prediction of finishing the season strongly. We really look the business and it is thoroughly enjoyable and exciting to watch. ...now for the stains. Yep, I've had a little look at the board and I'm sure I will wander on to a few of those threads later. Maybe your posts would have a touch more credibility if you were posting such 'things' a month or 2 back. I seem to remember many of as worried as the Rimmers - predicting no more than 40 points and there was no fucking gloating of cocks off after the Sunderland game. If there is a man to credited with knowing what the future held it was Hughes - not you fucking wankers. Enjoy your days in the sun though...I hope they continue for a long, long time yet. Quite unbastardbelievable coming from the bloke who has been ramming down everyone's throat for several years now that he knew what the future held when TP came back for his second incumbency, but is now berating anyone declaring the same for Hughes. What a pipe. H |
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Post by mcf on Mar 26, 2014 7:52:21 GMT
Dear Mark I have to say that I was simply stunned yet again. Back to back wins with barely a long ball in sight in either game. Wonderful passing football from a group that was certainly struggling with it a few games back. I'm simply astounded at the transformation in such a short space of time and I bow to your prediction of finishing the season strongly. We really look the business and it is thoroughly enjoyable and exciting to watch. ...now for the stains. Yep, I've had a little look at the board and I'm sure I will wander on to a few of those threads later. Maybe your posts would have a touch more credibility if you were posting such 'things' a month or 2 back. I seem to remember many of as worried as the Rimmers - predicting no more than 40 points and there was no fucking gloating of cocks off after the Sunderland game. If there is a man to credited with knowing what the future held it was Hughes - not you fucking wankers. Enjoy your days in the sun though...I hope they continue for a long, long time yet. Quite unbastardbelievable coming from the bloke who has been ramming down everyone's throat for several years now that he knew what the future held when TP came back for his second incumbency, but is now berating anyone declaring the same for Hughes. What a pipe. H I know that you are a spanner and that you can't help it but let me explain.... I never knew what the future held if TP returned - I merely thought he could get us in the top 6 of the Championship - Ianrb was the only 'King of Predictions' that I knew of. I'm not berating anyone that declared the same for Hughes because there were very, very few. Many were concerned as I was pre 'The Shit' at home and predicting that we wouldn't get 40 points. The vast majority didn't see this level of turnaround. Get back to those windows...they don't smear themselves! |
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Post by RAF on Mar 26, 2014 9:56:42 GMT
Quite unbastardbelievable coming from the bloke who has been ramming down everyone's throat for several years now that he knew what the future held when TP came back for his second incumbency, but is now berating anyone declaring the same for Hughes. What a pipe. H I know that you are a spanner and that you can't help it but let me explain.... I never knew what the future held if TP returned - I merely thought he could get us in the top 6 of the Championship - Ianrb was the only 'King of Predictions' that I knew of. I'm not berating anyone that declared the same for Hughes because there were very, very few. Many were concerned as I was pre 'The Shit' at home and predicting that we wouldn't get 40 points. The vast majority didn't see this level of turnaround. Get back to those windows...they don't smear themselves! Just as quite a few thought Mark Hughes could give us a good season. He just needed some time, you know the time that you and your fellow sunshine variety coach mates wouldn't give him before moaning your fucking bags off, the same time you would deal out in spades to the last incumbent.And even when he did start to turn it round you tried to turn it into a Pulis circus. Let's face it over the last couple of weeks you have made yourself look a thick cunt and the 'Vast Majority' will agree with me. Now get back to your desk if you can still fit behind it and recruit some twat who can type less shite than you. H |
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