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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2014 12:03:03 GMT
Ive been going since 1970 - dont claim to be the best fan or the worst, just a fan.
What I will say is: I cannot recall being more excited about a forthcoming season than this time around.
NO not because of the world cup - that is 'different gravy' as far as I am concerned more, our change in style and the way we finished last season.
It is pure joy to imagine we will still be strong at home but now, can confidently take our game anywhere in the league and, anticpate regular positive results (other than defeat) in the oppositions back yards.
Some of the players on show last season threw us back to the seventies when, we had 'true stars' all over the field and some of our players, you just knew were better than the opposition.
I predict teams will really fear us this time around home or away and, we will be very capable to dish out more than a few spankings to the unwary
Best of all the, surprise and excuses we will hear from those who will still fail to recognise Hughes'ys 'iron fist in a velvet glove' style football team we will see again very soon - enhanced even more by our new acquisitions.
I for one cant wait - counting the days to our first victims
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Post by huuuuuth on Jul 6, 2014 12:11:46 GMT
Feel like a kid in the run up to Christmas. Can't wait.
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Post by pyrus on Jul 6, 2014 12:29:30 GMT
I'm very much the same Tony. I've been going to Stoke for about as long and I remember that 1975 seaso when we had Hudson and players like Salmons and Robertson as well as most of the Cup winning team. I thought we would win it that year and we nearly did. This is the first time I have felt anything similar. I don't think we will win it, but I think we could do better than anyone predicts and I am betting on us doing well in every cup competition.
It is great to be a Stokie at the moment.
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Post by mrcoke on Jul 6, 2014 12:29:51 GMT
I feel totally the same.
Your phrase "you just knew we're better than the opposition " struck a chord with me. We get so much in the media about the top club stars, but we know we have some gems who are as good if not better than many that receive the plaudits from the media - Bego, Ryan, Arni being prime examples but also the likes of Crouch, Whelan, and N'Zonzi put in excellent performances in their own individual ways. Then we had the long debate last season between Adam and Ireland, (how many clubs below the top teams can do that?) and towards the end of the season the competition for left back position.
MH has added more depth of quality players in other positions with the promise of more to come, but he also recognises the importance of team play and players blending together on and off the pitch. If Stoke are to achieve higher place than 9th next season they will have to play better as a team, not just as individuals. To go further in cup competitions Stoke will need extra depth of ability in the squad, which they surely now have apart from wingers, having let Ethers and Kightly go.
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Post by march4 on Jul 6, 2014 12:31:09 GMT
I've learnt from bitter experience.
The more excited I get about a forthcoming season, the worse we do.
As ever, I'll assume we'll be relegated and breathe a sigh of relief if we reach 40pts.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2014 12:37:47 GMT
Yep fair enough march - my first benchmark in a new season is ALWAYS around, how long to get the ten wins you need to secure your status.
This season Im hoping we will pass that milestone well before Christmas, then we see where we can go after that
Even so - we got some real stars now - and Once Nzonzi calms down and falls in line again from his latest childish/ Gallic spat -we will be even better
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Post by StokieAsh13 on Jul 6, 2014 12:42:21 GMT
I've learnt from bitter experience. The more excited I get about a forthcoming season, the worse we do. As ever, I'll assume we'll be relegated and breathe a sigh of relief if we reach 40pts. Surely youve got more faith now mate & will allow yourself to have a worry free season unless necessary?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2014 12:43:50 GMT
First home game - Im going to the club shop, pick up last seasons DVD and, a framed picture of Arnie for my desk at work
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2014 12:47:17 GMT
I agree with all this optimism , but it needs to be tempered to accommodate what impact Diouf will play in all this. A different club , a different country , a different league and a different style of play . It will take some time for him to adjust to all this I think. I would expect him to be a player that will push us on and the quicker he scores his first goal the better.
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Post by rednwhitecardie on Jul 6, 2014 12:48:57 GMT
March I feel the same Been going too long to be over excited Mick mills £1 million transfer chest was the last time I was genuinely excited That didn't turn out to be the best of years Pessimist by nature I hope we don't fall flat on our faces & manage to keep the attitude and dressing room we showed last year
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2014 12:50:12 GMT
We got multiple decent strikers now = Dont forget, Crouchie and Odemwingie - both good effective strikers still - at the top level
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2014 12:52:20 GMT
I don't think Peter Crouch is at the top level . I think that ended around the time he had his teeth knocked out. He's too slow and not as agile these days.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2014 12:55:25 GMT
Still good for ten - fifteen goals I reckon -with two agile front men attuned to top level football either side of him
goals can and will flow
yep I cant wait
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2014 12:59:30 GMT
Still good for ten - fifteen goals I reckon -with two agile front men attuned to top level football either side of him goals can and will flow yep I cant wait I think Tony Pulis would agree with you there... Watch this space.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2014 13:06:49 GMT
I've got to be honest. I'm also waiting for the typical smack in the chops, Stoke style.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2014 13:10:29 GMT
We got to be thinking of better than ninth surely ?
I certainly am
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2014 13:13:18 GMT
It's all about Diouf and Odemwingie in my opinion. How many will they score and will we hang on to Begovic.
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Post by Trouserdog on Jul 6, 2014 13:22:03 GMT
We got to be thinking of better than ninth surely ? I certainly am Eighth?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2014 13:25:38 GMT
We are on the up - the manager is an 'upper quartile' man -we should all be thinking 'upper quartile' it is why I've been banging on all summer about our failure to fill in a corner
the 'naysayers' and 'nere do wells' need to step aside and let us move up towards the top table of football clubs in the UK - and there's never been a better time to do this
I know where you are coming from, disappointment has been Stokes middle name for the larger part of at least a generation
this time and, we should all mean it ----- THIS TIME -its going to be different !
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Post by crouchbot on Jul 6, 2014 13:27:42 GMT
I too am very excited, but until the transfer window shuts with all out best players still here and maybe one or two more in, I won't be getting over excited. Been a Stoke fan long enough to know we don't do optimism much so I'd rather be pleasantly surprised than expect anything other than safety.
If we start the season with a team of...
Begovic Cameron/Bardsley Shawcross Huth Pieters Nzonzi/Whelan Sidwell Odemwingie/New Winger Adam/Ireland Arnautovic Diouf
...I admit, I'll find it hard not to be excited about the season. Even more so if we have one or two options on the bench that are capable of changing games.
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Post by march4 on Jul 6, 2014 13:33:08 GMT
I've learnt from bitter experience. The more excited I get about a forthcoming season, the worse we do. As ever, I'll assume we'll be relegated and breathe a sigh of relief if we reach 40pts. Surely youve got more faith now mate & will allow yourself to have a worry free season unless necessary? Last two times I was excited before a season started, we were relegated under Waddo/Eastham and Mills/Ball.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2014 13:33:29 GMT
eighth is good - sixth is even better -- why not ?
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Post by march4 on Jul 6, 2014 13:35:28 GMT
eighth is good - sixth is even better -- why not ? And 17th is okey dokey
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Post by Trouserdog on Jul 6, 2014 13:44:56 GMT
eighth is good - sixth is even better -- why not ? Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Everton, Spurs.... No chance will we finish above any of them. The rest of us are in a 13 team league, and if we finish 8th then we win it! Champions! Champions!
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Post by mrcoke on Jul 6, 2014 14:33:55 GMT
I don't think Peter Crouch is at the top level . I think that ended around the time he had his teeth knocked out. He's too slow and not as agile these days. I agree that Crouchy isn't at the very top level. But he is still an excellent player; there are few better in the game at winning and holding the ball played out of defence and he gives time for other players to get into attacking positions. OK 8 goals isn't good enough for main striker but look at the company he is in or better than: 2013-14: Adam Johnson 8, Kevin Mirallas 8, Oscar 8 , Lukas Podolski 8 , André Schürrle 8 Charlie Adam 7 , Fabio Borini 7 , Yohan Cabaye 7 Christian Eriksen 7 Dwight Gayle 7 Shane Long 7 Jordon Mutch 7 Samir Nasri 7 Kevin Nolan 7 Jason Puncheon 7 Steve Sidwell 7 David Silva 7 My point is he isn't top level, but he is very good and tremendous support to his team mates.
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Post by vahl on Jul 6, 2014 14:42:34 GMT
I'm looking forward to this season a lot - can only echo the comments of most others. The focus has to be top 10. Let's get to 40 points as quick as possible first, as that should be any club's goal that's not challenging for Europe. Where we go from there is the exciting bit. I'm loving the new found arrogance and belief in Stokies right now though - where has it been all our lives?! (In division fucking 2, that's where )
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Post by davejohnno1 on Jul 6, 2014 15:16:40 GMT
If Diouf has a BA/Bony type impact I'm inclined to agree with the opening post but for me, our prospects rest on how good Diouf is.
If he's the dogs bollocks, we could well surprise everyone. If he's KJ in disguise, then we will do well to match the efforts of last season.
I can't wait for it all to get started though and am confident of another fine season ahead.
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Post by nott1 on Jul 6, 2014 15:18:46 GMT
It will be harder for Diouf NOT to score next season he'll get so many brilliant assists!
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Post by harryburrows on Jul 6, 2014 15:23:44 GMT
I don't think Peter Crouch is at the top level . I think that ended around the time he had his teeth knocked out. He's too slow and not as agile these days. I agree that Crouchy isn't at the very top level. But he is still an excellent player; there are few better in the game at winning and holding the ball played out of defence and he gives time for other players to get into attacking positions. OK 8 goals isn't good enough for main striker but look at the company he is in or better than: 2013-14: Adam Johnson 8, Kevin Mirallas 8, Oscar 8 , Lukas Podolski 8 , André Schürrle 8 Charlie Adam 7 , Fabio Borini 7 , Yohan Cabaye 7 Christian Eriksen 7 Dwight Gayle 7 Shane Long 7 Jordon Mutch 7 Samir Nasri 7 Kevin Nolan 7 Jason Puncheon 7 Steve Sidwell 7 David Silva 7 My point is he isn't top level, but he is very good and tremendous support to his team mates. crouch isnt a main striker and never has been even in his pomp his goal returns have been pretty poor , hes at his best along side a striker such as defoe
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Post by Pugsley on Jul 6, 2014 16:01:31 GMT
Let's face it, we have some supporters who are afraid of expectation or any success. Why are some people still looking over their shoulder? Indoctrination can be the only answer.
As Rogan Taylor said, Football is like strong beer, some people can't take it.
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