thepom
Youth Player
Posts: 333
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Post by thepom on Jul 23, 2014 4:48:01 GMT
Just having a look for a comparison - not far off in my opinion !!!
Stoke Everton Spurs
GK - Begovic Howard Lloris
LB - Peiters Baines Rose
CB - Shawcross Distin Dawson
CB - Huth Jagielka Vertonghen
RB - Bardsley Coleman Walker
Winger - Arnautovic Mirallas Lennon
DM - Nzonzi Barry Paulinho
Whelan McCarthy Dembele
MF Ireland Barkley Eriksen
Adam Osman Sigurdsen
Krkic Pinnear Holtby
Sidwell McGeady Townsend
FW Diouf Lukaku ? Adebayor
Odenwinge Naismith Soldado
Crouch Kone Kane
Obviously there are all the squad to choose from - but we know at Stoke there are not many players who will come in who actually weaken the team ... |
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Post by britsabroad on Jul 23, 2014 5:06:58 GMT
For me the weaknesses there are full backs, centre midfield and strikers.
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thepom
Youth Player
Posts: 333
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Post by thepom on Jul 23, 2014 5:13:20 GMT
Totally agree we are not quite there yet - but are we really that far away from seriously challenging these two ( I know hundreds of other factors come into it )
Consolidating 8th - perfect season ( Southampton dropping a few places )
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Post by pyrus on Jul 23, 2014 6:02:23 GMT
We are not far off, but in lots of games it is small percentage differences that matter. The difference between e.g. Leighton Baines at full back and Eric Pieters at the same time as having Kyle Walker instead of Phil Bardsley and Dembele instead of Whelan and Andros Townsend instead of Sidwell, that's your few percentage points, all over the field. If however Diouf and Bojan click quickly, that could compensate for all of that.
What we have done is improve the quality of the squad players and, I think, put a team together that can get more wins away from home. On paper, we are somewhere between 10th and 8th. I don't think we will easily get into the Fight for 6th and 7th, but 8th is realistic.
It's the style of football and the cup runs where we will figure IMO
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Post by Ryan_Shawjosh on Jul 23, 2014 6:15:09 GMT
Without trying to sound negative, I'd take at least 10 of those Spurs players. They'd realistically take two, maybe three of ours.
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Post by partickpotter on Jul 23, 2014 6:36:50 GMT
For me the weaknesses there are full backs, centre midfield and strikers. Other than that it's looking cushty! |
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Post by Trouserdog on Jul 23, 2014 6:53:21 GMT
Jut the fact that we're looking at Everton and Spurs as potential rivals is enough for me. It's great!  (Are we getting carried away? Maybe- it's fun though!) |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2014 6:55:01 GMT
Jut the fact that we're looking at Everton and Spurs as potential rivals is enough for me. It's great! (Are we getting carried away? Maybe- it's fun though!) Mr Dog, We are Stoke Relegation battle this season  GD |
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Post by scfcbiancorossi on Jul 23, 2014 6:56:09 GMT
Right now I think I'd rather have our front 3 than most teams if not all teams in the league. Its outrageously good (with Bojan)
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Post by wuzza on Jul 23, 2014 7:02:06 GMT
Actually looking at the straight comparison makes me think that there is still a good way to go yet - especially when you look at the midfield names.
Need to do a comparison with Villa, Albion, West Ham, Sunderland and the likes for that feelgood factor!!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2014 7:14:18 GMT
I don't think there's a gnats testicle between us.
I think we will finish above Everton actually.
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Post by apb1 on Jul 23, 2014 7:15:21 GMT
50 plus points, good football, great atmosphere, cup exploits, European qualification would all be possible one would think. Can't see us above 8th in the league though.
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Post by foster on Jul 23, 2014 7:20:58 GMT
Right now I think I'd rather have our front 3 than most teams if not all teams in the league. Its outrageously good (with Bojan) Don't get over excited mate. Top half again would be good, but if we can grab 8th it would be fantastic. A European place with so many new players will be difficult as they need time to gel. One thing we can forget about is relegation though. We have too much quality in the team now. |
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Post by Pugsley on Jul 23, 2014 7:23:59 GMT
Just because some of these Spurs and Everton players are 'names' doesn't mean they are that good. Walker and Dawson are no better than what we have, Lennon, Kane, Townsend, Sigurdsson, Osman, Pienaar, Naismith, Kone, McGeady? A lot of these players are decent but well over-hyped.
Hughes and the COACHES (yes coaches people, we have them nowadays) need to get the new players bedded in and hopefully the likes of Diouf and Bojan can settle in the PL and produce. Arnie should be better as well.
Exciting times to b a Stoke fan. Gone are the days of negative, dire, hoofball DROSS.
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Post by fca47 on Jul 23, 2014 8:10:23 GMT
Everton and Spurs have players that a proven in the PL, our forward line,especially, is totally unproven. I think we are getting a bit in front of ourselves. Wait and see how we do against these teams, it's exciting but totally unpredictable.
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openg
Youth Player
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Posts: 264
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Post by openg on Jul 23, 2014 8:14:04 GMT
I can't see Muniesa, Cameron or Walters on there. With those three on the list it's an embarrassment of riches from an (recent) historic POV.
It would be the exception rather than the norm if our new signings bedded in straight away, but for this season we should be able to stay safe and next season should be able to push on, perhaps even to the next level.
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Post by The battheader chronicles on Jul 23, 2014 8:16:48 GMT
Right now I think I'd rather have our front 3 than most teams if not all teams in the league. Its outrageously good (with Bojan) Don't get over excited mate. Top half again would be good, but if we can grab 8th it would be fantastic. A European place with so many new players will be difficult as they need time to gel. One thing we can forget about is relegation though. We have too much quality in the team now. Famous last words?  |
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Post by Pugsley on Jul 23, 2014 8:18:07 GMT
Kyle Walker is one of the worst players in the Premier League. He can't kick a football ffs.
If he didn't have a bit of pace he'd be playing in League 2.
Utter dogshit.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2014 8:20:19 GMT
First time since we came up that I've not seen somebody say they'd be happy with 17th.
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Post by mrcoke on Jul 23, 2014 8:22:57 GMT
We shouldn't fall into the trap of concentrating on comparing individuals. Yes they are important, ("you can't make a silk purse out of a cow's ear"), but football is a team game and the better team doesn't necessarily have the best pl;ayers. If it was always the case that the team with the best players wins, Stoke wouldn't have beaten the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea last season. I'm sure MH will get the team playing at a level above their individual ability, but that depends on the players playing well for each other as well as individual performances.
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Post by scfcno1fan on Jul 23, 2014 8:23:14 GMT
I think people may be getting slightly ahead of themselves.
I still think we are not as strong at the back as we could be. We missed the boat on the Caulker signing, he would have been a great long term partner for Ryan.
Also has someone has mentioned above, whilst our forward line looks good on paper, they will need time to settle in and adjust, which unfortunately they won't have.
I will still be waiting anxiously to reach the 40 point mark.
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Post by geoffscott on Jul 23, 2014 8:24:58 GMT
We match Everton and Spurs on first choice keeper and backup keepers
Where as our full backs are the best full backs we have seen at Stoke in 10+ years, in the cases of Tottenham and Everton we are probably still weaker.
Replace Huth, for a combination of Shawcross and Munesea or Shawcross and Wilson and I don't think we are too far behind.
Defensive Midfield, that all depends on the strength of mind or lack of strength on mind of N'Zonzi.
Until he can prove differently, a defensive midfield with N'Zonzi is always going to look vulnerable to lack of discipline, when compared to the 'bigger' teams.
It would be great if N'Zonzi could show that he wants a career playing for Stoke City and that he can maintain a high level of form and consistency, unfortunately we are still talking about potential about a player who should now be an established relaible performer at this level.
Winger - That's up to Arnoutavic really, if he can continue to press on from last season, he can be one of the best in the league.
Midfielders, with Mark Hughes as manager I reckon the current crop can compete with the likes of Everton and Spurs.
Forwards, Odenwinge and Crouch can still do the business and for me Walters can also be relied on.
Though to get to the next level, much will depend on Diouf, he needs to be nearer to 20 goals a season than 10.
Exciting times!
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thepom
Youth Player
Posts: 333
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Post by thepom on Jul 23, 2014 8:37:42 GMT
Just wanted to give a comparison for the next level ....
Individually the players aren't quite there yet ..
But Everton have probably 2 of the best full backs in the league - (Very short up front - till they get Lukaku)
Spurs have 11 individuals every game - That's up to Poch.... to sort out
Where we know Stoke have it all (attitude wise and team building etc:) reckon even Nzonzi is having a long look at himself regarding attitude (thinking I've got to pull my socks up or be dropped) due to the signings we have made ...
Honestly getting very excited about this season - but I am a realist - so still think 8th - but on the tails of 6th / 7th - (and that's without Diouf or Krkic doing something brilliant)
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Post by metalhead on Jul 23, 2014 9:02:01 GMT
Without trying to sound negative, I'd take at least 10 of those Spurs players. They'd realistically take two, maybe three of ours. I wouldn't take 10 but I'd take a few. |
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Post by nott1 on Jul 23, 2014 9:51:38 GMT
For me the weaknesses there are full backs, centre midfield and strikers. You miserable git!  |
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Post by roylandstoke on Jul 23, 2014 10:10:17 GMT
First time since we came up that I've not seen somebody say they'd be happy with 17th. I would be happy with 17th. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2014 19:26:18 GMT
8th place and a cup run please!
On paper, we are not that far away from them two teams
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Post by StokieAsh13 on Jul 23, 2014 19:46:31 GMT
I think people may be getting slightly ahead of themselves. I still think we are not as strong at the back as we could be. We missed the boat on the Caulker signing, he would have been a great long term partner for Ryan. Also has someone has mentioned above, whilst our forward line looks good on paper, they will need time to settle in and adjust, which unfortunately they won't have. I will still be waiting anxiously to reach the 40 point mark. im sorry mate but Caulker is dog shit.... he was terrible for Cardiff. |
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Post by skip on Jul 23, 2014 19:56:50 GMT
Now the days of dross are gone can we not use the word dross please, it's dross.
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Post by mysteriojr on Jul 23, 2014 21:34:16 GMT
I don't think there's a gnats testicle between us. I think we will finish above Everton actually. Unless they can replace or sign Lukaku, i think we'll finish above them. i have us down for 7th |
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