I don't post on here often, perhaps some of you are glad I don't! However, I've followed my beloved Stoke City since watching my first game at the Vic way back in 1959. Okay, I'm an old git, seen the highs and lows with the club, but rarely have I seen the team, management and supporters so together as we are today. What happened on Sunday has bubbling for a while; if Bojan's fourth against Arsenal had been allowed who knows what could have happened? The exciting feeling of what happened in the early 70's with Stoke is slowly returning to me. We didn't have a team full of the best players in the World back then and neither do we now. All I know is that togetherness is strength. Lets hope that Hughes maintains the balance of equilibrium in the team for 2015/16 season and for that I see no reason why Stoke can't push higher up the league. It's been such a long long time that it's been so good to be a Stokie. I don't swear, don't get angry, so rip my post to bits if you like!
You'd think someone who has been around as long as you have would know that when it comes to all things Stoke City the whiff of crushed expectations is never too far away
I'm with you pegleg, there is no earthly reason why this club can't go on to bigger and better things - not withstanding key players might leave for greener pastures or a string of injuries as serious as this season. Certainly there are number of things that could go wrong, but that's in the hands of the footballing Gods - and they haven't been too kind to us in the past.
Onwards and upwards pegleg - trust in the force Skywalker.
It does feel really good right now. The main concern is that, the longer this kind of progression lasts, our better players will be courted by bigger clubs. Begovic is already likely to be gone by August, which will produce a slight hiccup. Bojan and Nzonzi, possibly Muniesa, Ryan and Arnie, could all be gone within twelve months with another good season and we would not be able to sustain the upward momentum that we are currently enjoying. If we are having a Southampton-type season, we will be taken seriously and our better players will be firmly on the radar. The final nail in that coffin will be the departure of Hughes, as he leaves for his last 'big club' job. If he guides Stoke to a top six or seven finish, expect Spurs or Everton or even Liverpool to come knocking.
The only way we can combat this is to win something. I don't doubt our esprit de corps and 'feelgood' factor that courses through the club, and no doubt it keeps most of the players and the management team on board, but the ambitious ones will want to see medals to show for it. To keep Hughes we have to give him a budget with which to compete, and ensure that he continues to enjoy the best buttered slice of bread that any manager could wish for.
I don't post on here often, perhaps some of you are glad I don't! However, I've followed my beloved Stoke City since watching my first game at the Vic way back in 1959. Okay, I'm an old git, seen the highs and lows with the club, but rarely have I seen the team, management and supporters so together as we are today. What happened on Sunday has bubbling for a while; if Bojan's fourth against Arsenal had been allowed who knows what could have happened? The exciting feeling of what happened in the early 70's with Stoke is slowly returning to me. We didn't have a team full of the best players in the World back then and neither do we now. All I know is that togetherness is strength. Lets hope that Hughes maintains the balance of equilibrium in the team for 2015/16 season and for that I see no reason why Stoke can't push higher up the league. It's been such a long long time that it's been so good to be a Stokie. I don't swear, don't get angry, so rip my post to bits if you like!
As an old git of similar vintage ( first visit ever to Victoria ground was to see the Queen in about 1955, but following Stoke around 1957) I have been expressing exactly the same feeling. People forget that football is a team game as there is too much emphasis on individuals. What we both saw with Waddo was the result of blending a team of quality players together and adding the all important team spirit. That seems to be back. It was interesting to hear commentators on MOD say that they weren't suprised that a Hughes team put that amount of effort into the last game of the season "when there was nothing to play for". We have a wonderful combination of owners management, players and supporters, all wanting the club to succeed. This is the beginning of a golden era for us so let's all enjoy it while it lasts.
Great opening post. It appears to me that the squad as a whole is happy and enjoy playing together. It may seem simplistic but in my opinion that is the single most important factor for a Club like us to succeed. If you hear what Hudson says about Waddo, there is an admiration and affection which has never left him. I think and hope that could be Hughes and his coaching teams greatest attribute, our guys look like they enjoy playing for Stoke. Add to that our local benefactor who I believe will release the funds needed, in a sensible way,means for me this is the most exciting time to be a Stoke fan, and I saw our 70's hero's in action.
I don't post on here often, perhaps some of you are glad I don't! However, I've followed my beloved Stoke City since watching my first game at the Vic way back in 1959. Okay, I'm an old git, seen the highs and lows with the club, but rarely have I seen the team, management and supporters so together as we are today. What happened on Sunday has bubbling for a while; if Bojan's fourth against Arsenal had been allowed who knows what could have happened? The exciting feeling of what happened in the early 70's with Stoke is slowly returning to me. We didn't have a team full of the best players in the World back then and neither do we now. All I know is that togetherness is strength. Lets hope that Hughes maintains the balance of equilibrium in the team for 2015/16 season and for that I see no reason why Stoke can't push higher up the league. It's been such a long long time that it's been so good to be a Stokie. I don't swear, don't get angry, so rip my post to bits if you like!
Apart from the so called big clubs,every other club in the Premiership have to worry about the future, none of us are sure of keeping our place in the top tier, it could be just one season away or 10 seasons, all it takes is just one bad season where everything goes against you, and you could find yourself in the Championship. If things started to go against the likes of Chelsea, The Shit etc. you can be sure the powers that be will make sure their misfortunes will take an upturn to get them out of trouble.
Great opening post. It appears to me that the squad as a whole is happy and enjoy playing together. It may seem simplistic but in my opinion that is the single most important factor for a Club like us to succeed. If you hear what Hudson says about Waddo, there is an admiration and affection which has never left him. I think and hope that could be Hughes and his coaching teams greatest attribute, our guys look like they enjoy playing for Stoke. Add to that our local benefactor who I believe will release the funds needed, in a sensible way,means for me this is the most exciting time to be a Stoke fan, and I saw our 70's hero's in action.
I think you are spot on, there appears to be great camaraderie amongst the players as shown on Sunday, for instance I don't think I ever saw Steven N'zonzi smile for 2 years ,now he's like Odemwingies brother.
This is indeed a great time for all Stokies and if we can continue on this path of gradual season on season improvement, I can see us challenging the top 6, and would'nt it be fantastic if we could lift a cup at Wembley.
I'm wasn't sure what you mean by settled as in squad or league position. Bolton looked like a permanent fixture in the top league for a while as did many others. Look at Newcastle's fall from near winners to relegation in 09.
In regards the squad, there's no doubting the camaderie and spirit, firstly instilled by Pulis and now by Hughes. Given the better style of ball now being played under MH, this has also transferred to the fans. For the first time since the heady 70's, I'm really starting to believe that we'll challenge for trophies. We're unlikely to challenge for the league as we did in the 70's because the big feckers have too many cannons and the loot to fill them these days. But reaching top 6 and Europa qualification is definitely doable, as is League or FA cups. It's a great time to be following Stoke. As someone who only occasionally gets to see a game live, it's great to be able to compete with the bar stoolers for a change.
Great post pegleg. I think having a settled team is extremely important because the game is a team game and as such the whole should be greater than the sum of the parts (Aristotle). It's important to have star players in the side who can win/change/save the game, but it is equally important to have players who are prepared to play the supporting role and provide the framework within which the star players function. Managers like Ramsay (Ipswich, England) and Clough (Derby, Forrest) IMO recognised this and could create highly effective teams without all 11 being star players.
P.S. You're not the "pegleg" who used to knock about Wolstanton are you?
The fact that we have one of the longest serving PL managers, and he's only been here two years, sort of says that in the modern game settled and football are two words that don't sit comfortably with each other.
Apart from the so called big clubs,every other club in the Premiership have to worry about the future, none of us are sure of keeping our place in the top tier, it could be just one season away or 10 seasons, all it takes is just one bad season where everything goes against you, and you could find yourself in the Championship. If things started to go against the likes of Chelsea, The Shit etc. you can be sure the powers that be will make sure their misfortunes will take an upturn to get them out of trouble.
I seem to remember similar comments relating to Leeds, West Ham and Newcastle. I'm think that the publicity of having say Man Ure relegated would generate even more interest in the Premier League.
Appreciate the sentiments of the OP but ... 1. You can never relax - look at Bolton, Charlton etc. They looked 'established' but it can crumble in a fraction of the time it took to build. 2. This is Stoke for heavens sake - never build up you hopes or even worse 'expectations'. Take it as it comes and enjoy it while it's good.
You'd think someone who has been around as long as you have would know that when it comes to all things Stoke City the whiff of crushed expectations is never too far away
Gods,
At Half time after our demolition of the Bindippers I turned round to a friend of mines wife and said the following
" If we lose 5 v 6 Stoke have given me one of the best halves of football I can ever remember"
You'd think someone who has been around as long as you have would know that when it comes to all things Stoke City the whiff of crushed expectations is never too far away
Gods,
At Half time after our demolition of the Bindippers I turned round to a friend of mines wife and said the following
" If we lose 5 v 6 Stoke have given me one of the best halves of football I can ever remember"
I'm a Stokie
GD
That is so true, 5-0 up at half time and I still wasn't prepared to join in with any chicken counting!