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Post by fishlovesoatcakes on Jul 28, 2015 20:43:36 GMT
I'm actually overwhelmed with the experience we have in our current squad. This can only mean one thing for us....progression.
I've read quite a few negative comments on here with regards to our new signings and to be honest, been gobsmacked. Of course we've lost fundamental players but Hughes is bringing in quality, with a tremendous amount of experience. I was reading the stats earlier about how many champions league medals and international caps we have in our squad. Surely this can only mean that the entire club will benefit as a whole. Two more additions and I honestly believe that we'll get in the top 8. What an achievement that would be.
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Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 28, 2015 20:45:12 GMT
Some would say we've got an ageing squad and we need some younger players......
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Post by potter25 on Jul 28, 2015 20:45:30 GMT
Great post
I don't think hughes has made a poor signing since he became manager - if all gels we will make top 8
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Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 28, 2015 20:46:32 GMT
Great post I don't think hughes has made a poor signing since he became manager - if all gels we will make top 8 Phil Bardsley? |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2015 20:48:08 GMT
our squad is spot on right now, if we sign another right winger then we would have only two 30+ year olds in the starting XI. depth is naturally going to be achieved through older players as they won't be as demanding of a first team spot as they're not out to prove themselves to get a transfer. not only that but as you quite rightly say there are significant bonuses to having these older more experiences players too, their impact on the players like Moha or Shenton is invaluable, Stoke are in a very good place right now  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2015 20:50:59 GMT
Great post I don't think hughes has made a poor signing since he became manager - if all gels we will make top 8 Phil Bardsley? I'd agree he was a poor signing but you're splitting hairs there Bayern. A manager can't realistically make no poor signings at all, I can't think of one that's ever done it. The fact is that the majority of Hughes' signings have come off so at the end of the day I think the sentiment shared by potter25 is simply to trust in Hughes as he knows what he's doing. Something I imagine almost all of this board will agree with! |
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Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 28, 2015 20:51:47 GMT
our squad is spot on right now, if we sign another right winger then we would have only two 30+ year olds in the starting XI. depth is naturally going to be achieved through older players as they won't be as demanding of a first team spot as they're not out to prove themselves to get a transfer. not only that but as you quite rightly say there are significant bonuses to having these younger players too, Stoke are in a very good place right now The first team age wise is very balanced, I still think there's too many 30 year olds in general though. On the counter to your point of them being happy they can also get to the point of not giving a shit any more. Not that I think any of ours have that mindset. Other than Van Ginkel who isn't our player our central midfielders do look a tad too old. |
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Post by YounginStoke on Jul 28, 2015 20:54:25 GMT
Some would say we've got an ageing squad and we need some younger players...... I think we've got a decent balance to be fair, the spine of the squad is pretty young as well. Butland 22, Muni 23, Bojan 24, Diouf 27. |
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Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 28, 2015 20:55:22 GMT
I'd agree he was a poor signing but you're splitting hairs there Bayern. A manager can't realistically make no poor signings at all, I can't think of one that's ever done it. The fact is that the majority of Hughes' signings have come off so at the end of the day I think the sentiment shared by potter25 is simply to trust in Hughes as he knows what he's doing. Something I imagine almost all of this board will agree with! No I'm not, the post said "I don't think Hughes has made a poor signing since he became manager". He has, Phil Bardsley.  There's no splitting hairs, no nothing other than saying he has because he has. And yes all manager's will but again I never insinuated otherwise! |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2015 20:55:50 GMT
our squad is spot on right now, if we sign another right winger then we would have only two 30+ year olds in the starting XI. depth is naturally going to be achieved through older players as they won't be as demanding of a first team spot as they're not out to prove themselves to get a transfer. not only that but as you quite rightly say there are significant bonuses to having these younger players too, Stoke are in a very good place right now The first team age wise is very balanced, I still think there's too many 30 year olds in general though. On the counter to your point of them being happy they can also get to the point of not giving a shit any more. Not that I think any of ours have that mindset. Other than Van Ginkel who isn't our player our central midfielders do look a tad too old. Geoff has the legs to play well into his thirties, best athlete in the squad imo (though the jury is still out as to whether he can play midfield) Whelan's game doesn't rely on pace and he isn't particularly injury prone so his age doesn't concern me a great deal. Sidwell I can't even judge as he hasn't had the game time to prove himself I agree a centre mid is going to be our top priority soon if it isn't already though, but for the upcoming season I can't say I'm even slightly concerned about the age of our squad. |
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Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 28, 2015 20:55:43 GMT
Some would say we've got an ageing squad and we need some younger players...... I think we've got a decent balance to be fair, the spine of the squad is pretty young as well. Butland 22, Muni 23, Bojan 24, Diouf 27. See my post above!  |
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Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 28, 2015 20:59:06 GMT
The first team age wise is very balanced, I still think there's too many 30 year olds in general though. On the counter to your point of them being happy they can also get to the point of not giving a shit any more. Not that I think any of ours have that mindset. Other than Van Ginkel who isn't our player our central midfielders do look a tad too old. Geoff has the legs to play well into his thirties, best athlete in the squad imo (though the jury is still out as to whether he can play midfield) Whelan's game doesn't rely on pace and he isn't particularly injury prone so his age doesn't concern me a great deal. Sidwell I can't even judge as he hasn't had the game time to prove himself I agree a centre mid is going to be our top priority soon if it isn't already though, but for the upcoming season I can't say I'm even slightly concerned about the age of our squad. Geoff should be way down the pecking order for a midfield place though. Whelan will need decent and young competition within the next 12 months, so we can ease them in. This will hopefully be Sidwell's last year with us. We definitely need some younger blood there but in the 22-26 age range, like Van Ginkel but a player we actually own. The right handside looks old too. All over 30 as things stand. |
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Post by YounginStoke on Jul 28, 2015 20:59:19 GMT
I think we've got a decent balance to be fair, the spine of the squad is pretty young as well. Butland 22, Muni 23, Bojan 24, Diouf 27. See my post above! Yeah I agree that we do have a few 30 year old's that are just squad players, but hopefully over the next couple of years that will change as we can start to bring in some of the lads from the academy to be squad players. |
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Post by Pretty Little Boother on Jul 28, 2015 21:01:00 GMT
I don't like Phil Bardsley to any great extreme but I think it's harsh to call him "poor". He's generally been on the lower side of average; perhaps a misguided player to attempt to dislodge Cameron (in hindsight) but it's unfair to call him "poor". He's rarely, if ever, been a standout shit player. He's often at his poorest when the rest of the team have been crap.
Sidwell has been worse than Bardsley on average, and I still wouldn't call him "poor".
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Post by potter25 on Jul 28, 2015 21:01:14 GMT
I'd agree he was a poor signing but you're splitting hairs there Bayern. A manager can't realistically make no poor signings at all, I can't think of one that's ever done it. The fact is that the majority of Hughes' signings have come off so at the end of the day I think the sentiment shared by potter25 is simply to trust in Hughes as he knows what he's doing. Something I imagine almost all of this board will agree with! I don't think Bardsley is that bad I would pick Geoff and Johnson over him but if they both got injured or lost form I still think Bardsley could do a job... |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2015 21:02:33 GMT
Geoff has the legs to play well into his thirties, best athlete in the squad imo (though the jury is still out as to whether he can play midfield) Whelan's game doesn't rely on pace and he isn't particularly injury prone so his age doesn't concern me a great deal. Sidwell I can't even judge as he hasn't had the game time to prove himself I agree a centre mid is going to be our top priority soon if it isn't already though, but for the upcoming season I can't say I'm even slightly concerned about the age of our squad. Geoff should be way down the pecking order for a midfield place though. Whelan will need decent and young competition within the next 12 months, so we can ease them in. This will hopefully be Sidwell's last year with us. We definitely need some younger blood there but in the 22-26 age range, like Van Ginkel but a player we actually own. The right handside looks old too. All over 30 as things stand. Like I said, we are fine for one more season. As for the right wing, age won't be an issue as it looks like we're in for another big name RW'er but as much as I love 'Wingie and think he earnt a new contract I can't see where he fits in now really... Probably falls behind Walters and Afellay in the pecking order |
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Jul 28, 2015 21:08:27 GMT
our squad is spot on right now, if we sign another right winger then we would have only two 30+ year olds in the starting XI. depth is naturally going to be achieved through older players as they won't be as demanding of a first team spot as they're not out to prove themselves to get a transfer. not only that but as you quite rightly say there are significant bonuses to having these younger players too, Stoke are in a very good place right now The first team age wise is very balanced, I still think there's too many 30 year olds in general though. On the counter to your point of them being happy they can also get to the point of not giving a shit any more. Not that I think any of ours have that mindset. Other than Van Ginkel who isn't our player our central midfielders do look a tad too old. We could always sell Whelan and move Muniesa to DM if you're worried about the midfield age balance. {MM23/MVG22/BK24 looks better?} I wouldn't get too hung up about the age thing just yet, apart from owt else footballers have more longevity {at a higher level} than ever before. We might be a tad shorter, with smaller price tags, and marginally older{than you'd prefer}, but it's an evolutionary thing that will no doubt be addressed. I suspect your age thing may be mainly motivated by us selling N'Zonzi. |
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Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 28, 2015 21:11:34 GMT
The first team age wise is very balanced, I still think there's too many 30 year olds in general though. On the counter to your point of them being happy they can also get to the point of not giving a shit any more. Not that I think any of ours have that mindset. Other than Van Ginkel who isn't our player our central midfielders do look a tad too old. We could always sell Whelan and move Muniesa to DM if you're worried about the midfield age balance. {MM23/MVG22/BK24 looks better?} I wouldn't get too hung up about the age thing just yet, apart from owt else footballers have more longevity {at a higher level} than ever before. We might be a tad shorter, with smaller price tags, and marginally older{than you'd prefer}, but it's an evolutionary thing that will no doubt be addressed. I suspect your age thing may be mainly motivated by us selling N'Zonzi. Nah. I'm not overly hung up about it tbh, it's just something to keep an eye on especially as they're all pretty contracted up bar Walters! And it is something Hughes has been criticised of not just at QPR but Fulham too. The age thing is just something I've noticed tbh, there's a lot of them and they've all mainly got decent contracts! |
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Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 28, 2015 21:13:01 GMT
Geoff should be way down the pecking order for a midfield place though. Whelan will need decent and young competition within the next 12 months, so we can ease them in. This will hopefully be Sidwell's last year with us. We definitely need some younger blood there but in the 22-26 age range, like Van Ginkel but a player we actually own. The right handside looks old too. All over 30 as things stand. Like I said, we are fine for one more season. As for the right wing, age won't be an issue as it looks like we're in for another big name RW'er but as much as I love 'Wingie and think he earnt a new contract I can't see where he fits in now really... Probably falls behind Walters and Afellay in the pecking order I'll believe the new right winger stuff when we see them holding the shirt! Afellay is for the left surely? With the option of covering all along just in case? |
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Jul 28, 2015 21:45:21 GMT
We could always sell Whelan and move Muniesa to DM if you're worried about the midfield age balance. {MM23/MVG22/BK24 looks better?} I wouldn't get too hung up about the age thing just yet, apart from owt else footballers have more longevity {at a higher level} than ever before. We might be a tad shorter, with smaller price tags, and marginally older{than you'd prefer}, but it's an evolutionary thing that will no doubt be addressed. I suspect your age thing may be mainly motivated by us selling N'Zonzi. Nah. I'm not overly hung up about it tbh, it's just something to keep an eye on especially as they're all pretty contracted up bar Walters! And it is something Hughes has been criticised of not just at QPR but Fulham too. The age thing is just something I've noticed tbh, there's a lot of them and they've all mainly got decent contracts! I suppose the 'decent contracts' opens up the possibility of getting 'decent' sell on value/recoup something {within the contract term}, even if it's to top end Championship or newly promoted/struggling Prem clubs. Off the top of me head there aren't many older players who've cost a fortune transfer wise are there? {Crouch and perhaps Adam aside.} So the 'oldies' aren't depreciating assets in that sense, and as far as contribution footballing wise there's only Bardsley and Ireland who I'm not too arsed about whether they stay or not. You're right about Hughes having a reputation as a 'player collector' and we are full to the gunnels at the moment, but he probably wants to bomb proof against injury. Stay vigilant mate, 'keep 'em peeled'. We'll be able to make a better assessment when the window shuts. {I'll sort out the number for Age Concern then.} |
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Post by Gifton on Jul 28, 2015 21:50:02 GMT
I'd agree he was a poor signing but you're splitting hairs there Bayern. A manager can't realistically make no poor signings at all, I can't think of one that's ever done it. The fact is that the majority of Hughes' signings have come off so at the end of the day I think the sentiment shared by potter25 is simply to trust in Hughes as he knows what he's doing. Something I imagine almost all of this board will agree with! No I'm not, the post said "I don't think Hughes has made a poor signing since he became manager". He has, Phil Bardsley. There's no splitting hairs, no nothing other than saying he has because he has. And yes all manager's will but again I never insinuated otherwise! How many other poor signings would you say Hughes has made in total? Out of interest. Excluding this years players as none of us have crystal balls? |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2015 21:50:32 GMT
Like I said, we are fine for one more season. As for the right wing, age won't be an issue as it looks like we're in for another big name RW'er but as much as I love 'Wingie and think he earnt a new contract I can't see where he fits in now really... Probably falls behind Walters and Afellay in the pecking order I'll believe the new right winger stuff when we see them holding the shirt! Afellay is for the left surely? With the option of covering all along just in case? Yeah primarily but at the end of the day if Arnie plays a blinder and Afellay turns out to be the real deal then we'll end up playing both through hook or crook |
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Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 28, 2015 21:51:08 GMT
Nah. I'm not overly hung up about it tbh, it's just something to keep an eye on especially as they're all pretty contracted up bar Walters! And it is something Hughes has been criticised of not just at QPR but Fulham too. The age thing is just something I've noticed tbh, there's a lot of them and they've all mainly got decent contracts! I suppose the 'decent contracts' opens up the possibility of getting 'decent' sell on value {within the contract term}, even if it's to top end Championship or newly promoted/struggling Prem clubs. Off the top of me head there aren't many older players who've cost a fortune transfer wise are there? {Crouch and perhaps Adam aside.} So the 'oldies' aren't depreciating assets in that sense, and as far as contribution footballing wise there's only Bardsley and Ireland who I'm not too arsed about whether they stay or not. You're right about Hughes having a reputation as a 'player collector' and we are full to the gunnels at the moment, but he probably wants to bomb proof against injury. Stay vigilant mate, 'keep 'em peeled'. We'll be able to make a better assessment when the window shuts. {I'll sort out the number for Age Concern then.} Maybe but the value of 30+ players is minimal anyway isn't it? And in the case of Bardsley you can see it proper screwing us over. Transfer fees no but all of them will be on a decent wage. And it could potentially hinder us in the near future getting players in. I don't buy the injury stuff, you can't shit yourself after one bad season of injuries. I know the counter argument is you have to learn to have all bases covered. But my argument is that we need to sort the training and conditioning because a lot of the injuries were systematic of that which is massively odd because the season before we had an excellent record. So hopefully that will go back to that. If it doesn't question have to be asked because it will be getting very Arsenaly with injuries and there's is definitely to shite training methods and a poor medical staff. |
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Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 28, 2015 21:55:17 GMT
No I'm not, the post said "I don't think Hughes has made a poor signing since he became manager". He has, Phil Bardsley. There's no splitting hairs, no nothing other than saying he has because he has. And yes all manager's will but again I never insinuated otherwise! How many other poor signings would you say Hughes has made in total? Out of interest. Excluding this years players as none of us have crystal balls? I'd put Sidwell and Tex in there. And Guidetti. And Assaidi the second time, we saw he was shite first time around! I'd say Wolly too if I didn't fear being lynched.... And I think if Ireland isn't used much again, there's a case for him being a waste of a wage and a poor signing. But that's being harsh. |
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Post by mattador78 on Jul 28, 2015 22:03:02 GMT
I suppose the 'decent contracts' opens up the possibility of getting 'decent' sell on value {within the contract term}, even if it's to top end Championship or newly promoted/struggling Prem clubs. Off the top of me head there aren't many older players who've cost a fortune transfer wise are there? {Crouch and perhaps Adam aside.} So the 'oldies' aren't depreciating assets in that sense, and as far as contribution footballing wise there's only Bardsley and Ireland who I'm not too arsed about whether they stay or not. You're right about Hughes having a reputation as a 'player collector' and we are full to the gunnels at the moment, but he probably wants to bomb proof against injury. Stay vigilant mate, 'keep 'em peeled'. We'll be able to make a better assessment when the window shuts. {I'll sort out the number for Age Concern then.} Maybe but the value of 30+ players is minimal anyway isn't it? And in the case of Bardsley you can see it proper screwing us over. Transfer fees no but all of them will be on a decent wage. And it could potentially hinder us in the near future getting players in. I don't buy the injury stuff, you can't shit yourself after one bad season of injuries. I know the counter argument is you have to learn to have all bases covered. But my argument is that we need to sort the training and conditioning because a lot of the injuries were systematic of that which is massively odd because the season before we had an excellent record. So hopefully that will go back to that. If it doesn't question have to be asked because it will be getting very Arsenaly with injuries and there's is definitely to shite training methods and a poor medical staff. But our possibly most important injuries were a broken leg 2 cruciate ligaments a slipped disc and multiple hamstring tears from the same player who wasn't even ours to treat not much we can do about them really |
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Post by ayem on Jul 28, 2015 22:03:26 GMT
How many other poor signings would you say Hughes has made in total? Out of interest. Excluding this years players as none of us have crystal balls? I'd put Sidwell and Tex in there. And Guidetti. And Assaidi the second time, we saw he was shite first time around! I'd say Wolly too if I didn't fear being lynched.... And I think if Ireland isn't used much again, there's a case for him being a waste of a wage and a poor signing. But that's being harsh. Sidwell was brought in for cover, and he covered. Tex has played scant minutes and is young(but I kind of agree with you). Guidetti was the least fit I've seen a prem player and was bad. Give Wolly time. Ireland has use and is definitely and alright signing. Not good,but alright and if he found form would've been great. Still has time to as well. |
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neverhadanoatcake
Lads'n'Dads
In the middle, in the middle, in the middle of the boothen end
Posts: 77 
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Post by neverhadanoatcake on Jul 28, 2015 22:04:35 GMT
lol more doom mongering from bayern, getting quite tiresome now, come on mate are you a vale fan in disguise????????????
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Post by Sergeant Muttley on Jul 28, 2015 22:07:15 GMT
We have a lot of very good players now and there's no reason why we can't do well again next season.My nagging worry is the lack of height and power in our team now with all the quick nippy/skillful players we now have.Set plays at both ends of the pitch must improve but i fear they won't with the team we'll be putting out.
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Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 28, 2015 22:09:03 GMT
Maybe but the value of 30+ players is minimal anyway isn't it? And in the case of Bardsley you can see it proper screwing us over. Transfer fees no but all of them will be on a decent wage. And it could potentially hinder us in the near future getting players in. I don't buy the injury stuff, you can't shit yourself after one bad season of injuries. I know the counter argument is you have to learn to have all bases covered. But my argument is that we need to sort the training and conditioning because a lot of the injuries were systematic of that which is massively odd because the season before we had an excellent record. So hopefully that will go back to that. If it doesn't question have to be asked because it will be getting very Arsenaly with injuries and there's is definitely to shite training methods and a poor medical staff. But our possibly most important injuries were a broken leg 2 cruciate ligaments a slipped disc and multiple hamstring tears from the same player who wasn't even ours to treat not much we can do about them really We had loads of muscle injuries though. That's what we need to cut out. The broken legs etc are bad luck. |
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Post by ayem on Jul 28, 2015 22:10:46 GMT
We have a lot of very good players now and there's no reason why we can't do well again next season.My nagging worry is the lack of height and power in our team now with all the quick nippy/skillful players we now have.Set plays at both ends of the pitch must improve but i fear they won't with the team we'll be putting out. It's an important part of the game. And service for scorers is key. Diouf Crouch and Joselu can find the ball. But it needs to come in right. Hopefully with bojan plus a few new signings this will change. Love arnie but a bit crazy crossing. Adam has a massive curve, but who wants to put a head against his ball? |
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There's no splitting hairs, no nothing other than saying he has because he has. And yes all manager's will but again I never insinuated otherwise! 
