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Post by nicholasjalcock on Sept 1, 2015 18:25:57 GMT
Afellay fits the average at best bit for me.....and he certainly was never needed. And Pulis should have nothing to do with this. We've gone from having a team that looked like genuine challengers for a European place with 2 or 3 additions to one that will do well to finish 10th. 10th is good yeah but it's hardly aspirational or any of that bollocks. It just feels like a massive let down from last season. I agree. Is it once again Stoke City have failed to build on something decent and really achieve something special? It appears we are happy to exist in the PL, treat the fans with contempt by throwing in the odd crumb (Shaqiri) while hoovering up the cash. Does PC, MH, 'the pizza boys' believe that 'Yarmo' will fall for this 'next level' smokescreen in January?
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Post by robwahlmann on Sept 1, 2015 18:26:55 GMT
We haven't done too badly all in all, but I still think we need another winger with a lot of pace. In adition we need a Jedinak kind of midfielder, but hopefully we'll look for someone younger in the next window. Would have liked to see Jedinak here though, but unfortunately the deal fell through.
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Post by FullerMagic on Sept 1, 2015 18:27:27 GMT
As the net spend is so low, it definitely indicates we could have tweaked the balance between "cute" cheapies and more expensive sure things - certainly regarding Wolly. If he was more a sure thing, people wouldn't be having the kittens they're currently having with the defence.
And, as has been said many times, the season will now be made or broken on MVG fulfilling his potential. Replacing N'Zonzi was the key addition of the summer and we had to have the freedom to bring in a £10m+ player if needed. To put all that pressure on a young loanee is a huge call.
Too early to be definitive, but unclear where Afellay fits.
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Post by Titan Uranus on Sept 1, 2015 18:27:48 GMT
Southampton have been a real selling club these past few years (Swansea too with Bony, Vorm, Davies and Sinclair), and it has really done them some harm! Midtable clubs, if they are dong well, will always be selling clubs to the big boys - it is how you replace such players that counts. The SNZ replacement is a bit of an issue, but otherwise we've done well. In what way? We've signed a centre back we don't need. An attacking midfielder we don't need. A striker we don't need. A right back that we did need but could hinder us more than help when we're missing Shawcross and are vulnerable. And a central midfielder that is a work in progress and extremely lightweigh. And then there's Shaqiri. The shining light. We still need a centre back, central midfielder and left winger but we've done well? Nah! Agree Some previous posters are still bringing Pulis into the equation. What the fook is up with people. Anyway back to the transfers... We are seriously lightweight in key areas IMO Reckon Rip van winkle and Affey will take a season to acclimatize to the Prem. And if captain Ryan is out for six months we're in the doodoo.
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Post by bayernoatcake on Sept 1, 2015 18:29:30 GMT
As the net spend is so low, it definitely indicates we could have tweaked the balance between "cute" cheapies and more expensive sure things - certainly regarding Wolly. If he was more a sure thing, people wouldn't be having the kittens they're currently having with the defence. And, as has been said many times, the season will now be made or broken on MVG fulfilling his potential. Replacing N'Zonzi was the key addition of the summer and we had to have the freedom to bring in a £10m+ player if needed. To put all that pressure on a young loanee is a huge call. Too early to be definitive, but unclear where Afellay fits. And spending 5/6 million on a striker we didn't overly need whilst key areas remain needed, what's that about?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2015 18:30:38 GMT
As the net spend is so low, it definitely indicates we could have tweaked the balance between "cute" cheapies and more expensive sure things - certainly regarding Wolly. If he was more a sure thing, people wouldn't be having the kittens they're currently having with the defence. And, as has been said many times, the season will now be made or broken on MVG fulfilling his potential. Replacing N'Zonzi was the key addition of the summer and we had to have the freedom to bring in a £10m+ player if needed. To put all that pressure on a young loanee is a huge call. Too early to be definitive, but unclear where Afellay fits. And spending 5/6 million on a striker we didn't overly need whilst key areas remain needed, what's that about? Precisely +1
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2015 18:31:36 GMT
As the net spend is so low, it definitely indicates we could have tweaked the balance between "cute" cheapies and more expensive sure things - certainly regarding Wolly. If he was more a sure thing, people wouldn't be having the kittens they're currently having with the defence. And, as has been said many times, the season will now be made or broken on MVG fulfilling his potential. Replacing N'Zonzi was the key addition of the summer and we had to have the freedom to bring in a £10m+ player if needed. To put all that pressure on a young loanee is a huge call. Too early to be definitive, but unclear where Afellay fits. And spending 5/6 million on a striker we didn't overly need whilst key areas remain needed, what's that about? You wouldn't understand.
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Post by numpty40 on Sept 1, 2015 18:32:28 GMT
Afellay fits the average at best bit for me.....and he certainly was never needed. And Pulis should have nothing to do with this. We've gone from having a team that looked like genuine challengers for a European place with 2 or 3 additions to one that will do well to finish 10th. 10th is good yeah but it's hardly aspirational or any of that bollocks. It just feels like a massive let down from last season. I agree. Is it once again Stoke City have failed to build on something decent and really achieve something special? It appears we are happy to exist in the PL, treat the fans with contempt by throwing in the odd crumb (Shaqiri) while hoovering up the cash. The 'odd crumb' we've signed for our club is the equivalent of Man Utd signing Lionel Messi. He is a massive signing for a club like Stoke without question.
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Post by poethebald on Sept 1, 2015 18:37:38 GMT
We will be fine.However, PC and family are not multi millionaires by accident!
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Post by Titan Uranus on Sept 1, 2015 18:39:20 GMT
I agree. Is it once again Stoke City have failed to build on something decent and really achieve something special? It appears we are happy to exist in the PL, treat the fans with contempt by throwing in the odd crumb (Shaqiri) while hoovering up the cash. The 'odd crumb' we've signed for our club is the equivalent of Man Utd signing Lionel Messi. He is a massive signing for a club like Stoke without question. Really depends what expectations are doesn't it? Let's be honest we were all looking forward to a summer spending spree, especially if NZonzi and Bego were leaving. Other than Shaqer it's been massively disappointing. Poor ftom the Management and let's hope we don't come to regret it.
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Post by numpty40 on Sept 1, 2015 18:46:03 GMT
We are totally unbalanced Up front - class Defensively- poor There are 8 sides that have conceded less than us this season and 12 that have scored more, the problem isn't in the defence but finding a cutting edge going forward.
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Post by malteser68 on Sept 1, 2015 18:48:46 GMT
My take on the window
INS
Wollscheid - 3.5 million flushed down the drain - he cannot even make the bench when our regular CH is out for a good part of the season
Johnson - good addition
Moha, Molina, haugaard - ones for the future, not really part of the equation in assessing this window
Given - good addition, no change whatsoever in the coefficient of the goalkeeping department
Afellay - problem signing on 2 counts - brought in as a winger when clearly he doesn't have it in him any more (a bit short of a decade ago he was akin to a new Marc over Mars, sadly many injuries later he doesn't have the pace to play out wide anymore); what's worse when played as a winger he persistently drifts infield occupying van ginkel's space and hindering vg's progress in the team. So no value added whatsoever
Joselu - verdict still out but if money is so thin on the floor his close to 6 million could have been better used elsewhere, especially since crouch has been retained
Shaqiri - a rock the city signing but without the other necessary additions cannot take us to the next level all on his own
Outs (for varying reasons)
Moses - loan not extended, we lose a very effective and potent weapon
Bego - more the adequately replaced by jack
Ryan - a big loss
Nzonzi - a tremendous loss
Balance drawn - are we any better than last year ? Certainly not
Are we much worse - all depends if and when MVG comes good
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Post by Rick Grimes on Sept 1, 2015 18:49:42 GMT
As the net spend is so low, it definitely indicates we could have tweaked the balance between "cute" cheapies and more expensive sure things - certainly regarding Wolly. If he was more a sure thing, people wouldn't be having the kittens they're currently having with the defence. And, as has been said many times, the season will now be made or broken on MVG fulfilling his potential. Replacing N'Zonzi was the key addition of the summer and we had to have the freedom to bring in a £10m+ player if needed. To put all that pressure on a young loanee is a huge call. Too early to be definitive, but unclear where Afellay fits. And spending 5/6 million on a striker we didn't overly need whilst key areas remain needed, what's that about? You say we didn't really need Joselu but I disagree, Crouch is a good option from the bench but if Diouf get's injured I wouldn't want to have been relying on Crouch or Walters upfront.
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Post by numpty40 on Sept 1, 2015 18:50:39 GMT
The 'odd crumb' we've signed for our club is the equivalent of Man Utd signing Lionel Messi. He is a massive signing for a club like Stoke without question. Really depends what expectations are doesn't it? Let's be honest we were all looking forward to a summer spending spree, especially if NZonzi and Bego were leaving. Other than Shaqer it's been massively disappointing. Poor ftom the Management and let's hope we don't come to regret it. Shaqiri is a massive signing for a club like Stoke and I can't help but think that the more 'recent' fans don't realise just how big a signing he is.
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Post by heavysoul on Sept 1, 2015 18:52:25 GMT
Jedinak would have been a good purchase. Glad Walters is staying.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2015 18:52:10 GMT
Really depends what expectations are doesn't it? Let's be honest we were all looking forward to a summer spending spree, especially if NZonzi and Bego were leaving. Other than Shaqer it's been massively disappointing. Poor ftom the Management and let's hope we don't come to regret it. Shaqiri is a massive signing for a club like Stoke and I can't help but think that the more 'recent' fans don't realise just how big a signing he is. The signing is massive from the days of Kyle lightbourne or Ricky dadason (sp?) but without other areas strengthened I fear we could struggle
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Post by bayernoatcake on Sept 1, 2015 18:56:35 GMT
And spending 5/6 million on a striker we didn't overly need whilst key areas remain needed, what's that about? You wouldn't understand. Enlighten me oh wise one.
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Post by bayernoatcake on Sept 1, 2015 18:57:24 GMT
And spending 5/6 million on a striker we didn't overly need whilst key areas remain needed, what's that about? You say we didn't really need Joselu but I disagree, Crouch is a good option from the bench but if Diouf get's injured I wouldn't want to have been relying on Crouch or Walters upfront. As soon as Crouch signed a 2 year deal we didn't need a striker.
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Post by mattador78 on Sept 1, 2015 18:58:46 GMT
I agree. Is it once again Stoke City have failed to build on something decent and really achieve something special? It appears we are happy to exist in the PL, treat the fans with contempt by throwing in the odd crumb (Shaqiri) while hoovering up the cash. The 'odd crumb' we've signed for our club is the equivalent of Man Utd signing Lionel Messi. He is a massive signing for a club like Stoke without question. Bollox hes not good enough for the vile or crwho
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Post by numpty40 on Sept 1, 2015 18:59:05 GMT
Shaqiri is a massive signing for a club like Stoke and I can't help but think that the more 'recent' fans don't realise just how big a signing he is. The signing is massive from the days of Kyle lightbourne or Ricky dadason (sp?) but without other areas strengthened I fear we could struggle No, it's massive compared to the signings of Steven N'Zonzi, Jermaine Pennant, Mathew Etherington, James Beattie etc. Throw Bojan into the mix and the club is operating at a different level than it ever has before.
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Post by Paul Spencer on Sept 1, 2015 18:59:18 GMT
And spending 5/6 million on a striker we didn't overly need whilst key areas remain needed, what's that about? You say we didn't really need Joselu but I disagree, Crouch is a good option from the bench but if Diouf get's injured I wouldn't want to have been relying on Crouch or Walters upfront. He's saying that we didn't really need Joselu because he and Crouch are similar types of players, both technically good but neither with much pace. I don't really follow your logic, why would you specifically not want Crouch to cover Diouf but you would want Joselu to do so? Surely ideally you'd want somebody who had similar attributes to Diouf to come in if he was out for any period of time.
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Post by Rick Grimes on Sept 1, 2015 19:09:39 GMT
You say we didn't really need Joselu but I disagree, Crouch is a good option from the bench but if Diouf get's injured I wouldn't want to have been relying on Crouch or Walters upfront. He's saying that we didn't really need Joselu because he and Crouch are similar types of players, both technically good but neither with much pace. I don't really follow your logic, why would you specifically not want Crouch to cover Diouf but you would want Joselu to do so? Surely ideally you'd want somebody who had similar attributes to Diouf to come in if he was out for any period of time. Joselu is a lot more mobile than Crouch, Hughes got it right when he said he gives us a 'different option' and I think he'll prove to be a decent addition to the squad.
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Post by mattador78 on Sept 1, 2015 19:11:58 GMT
You say we didn't really need Joselu but I disagree, Crouch is a good option from the bench but if Diouf get's injured I wouldn't want to have been relying on Crouch or Walters upfront. As soon as Crouch signed a 2 year deal we didn't need a striker. If managing a football club was easy we would all do it many try many fail few succeed and the ones that do often dont quit before there time is up and fall from grace. Mistakes happen and in the mercenary world of english football what once would have been resolved by a sweet talking manager or a little sweetner now needs millions more for adverage players,look at utd now one recognized striker not even playing as a striker they have lost van persie and Hernandez and replaced with 40mill worth of unknown there goalkeepers move was fucked up by an inability to download winrar and they still aint signed a decent cb in 2 seasons,chelsea couldnt get there first or second choice defenders arsenal couldnt spend any money again scrooge mcwenger sitting on the gold. But again we look at other clubs blowing cash left right and centre trying to be us from the last two seasons. I do conceed that we lack an adequate cover for Glenn but the club tryed to rectify it however it has failed to happen but a war chest still remains for jan when our skipper should return like a new signing and the club will move on remember evolution not revolution by that i mean all of us on here not the club
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Post by bayernoatcake on Sept 1, 2015 19:12:19 GMT
He's saying that we didn't really need Joselu because he and Crouch are similar types of players, both technically good but neither with much pace. I don't really follow your logic, why would you specifically not want Crouch to cover Diouf but you would want Joselu to do so? Surely ideally you'd want somebody who had similar attributes to Diouf to come in if he was out for any period of time. Joselu is a lot more mobile than Crouch, Hughes got it right when he said he gives us a 'different option' and I think he'll prove to be a decent addition to the squad. I think he'll do well but we'll have Peter Crouch either doing nothing or strangely starting cup games like a weight around our neck. I just find it unnecessary.
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Post by davejohnno1 on Sept 1, 2015 19:18:48 GMT
You say we didn't really need Joselu but I disagree, Crouch is a good option from the bench but if Diouf get's injured I wouldn't want to have been relying on Crouch or Walters upfront. He's saying that we didn't really need Joselu because he and Crouch are similar types of players, both technically good but neither with much pace. I don't really follow your logic, why would you specifically not want Crouch to cover Diouf but you would want Joselu to do so? Surely ideally you'd want somebody who had similar attributes to Diouf to come in if he was out for any period of time. All the reports I've read and heard about joselu are that he's rapid. Is that incorrect?
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Post by stokiejoe on Sept 1, 2015 19:19:24 GMT
We are a weaker team than the team that finished last season, how can anyone honestly say it's been a good window... remains to be seen and yes
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Post by itsmorethanagame on Sept 1, 2015 19:19:19 GMT
There's been three main issues with this window.
Firstly, we needed to replace our star player and player of the season in centre midfield. To do so we have brought in a relatively inexperienced and proven 23 year old on loan to do so. As a squad addition he would have been great but as a sole replacement for one of our key players it's a big ask. He looks a good prospect who could develop nicely but the fact that he's not our player means it makes less sense. If we'd signed him permanently then I could see the argument for throwing him in the deep end. As it stands you can't help but think that we should have shelled out at the very least the 7m we received for Zonz on a quality, established midfielder.
Secondly, Affelay looked to have been brought in as a winger but many people think (probably including himself) that he's better suited to centre of midfield. This leaves us short of real options on the left wing and extremely top heavy in the centre where we are already struggling to accommodate Ireland, Adam and Bojan. To be fair it's very early days with Afelay but it's potentially a major problem.
Thirdly, is the signing of Wollscheid. For whatever reason, we have ended up with a player that the manager seemingly doesn't want. And to make things even worse, our captain is now out injured with a long term injury. Our 'new' centre half option should have been the ideal replacement but instead didn't even make the match day squad last weekend. It's a major balls up and leaves us in a situation we really shouldn't be in.
I still think we have got enough quality to be fine this season. But there's no doubt we have missed a major trick in this window and yet again it looks like it's going to be jam tomorrow when we really should have been pushing on after the major coup of bringing in Shaqiri.
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Post by bayernoatcake on Sept 1, 2015 19:20:03 GMT
As soon as Crouch signed a 2 year deal we didn't need a striker. If managing a football club was easy we would all do it many try many fail few succeed and the ones that do often dont quit before there time is up and fall from grace. Mistakes happen and in the mercenary world of english football what once would have been resolved by a sweet talking manager or a little sweetner now needs millions more for adverage players,look at utd now one recognized striker not even playing as a striker they have lost van persie and Hernandez and replaced with 40mill worth of unknown there goalkeepers move was fucked up by an inability to download winrar and they still aint signed a decent cb in 2 seasons,chelsea couldnt get there first or second choice defenders arsenal couldnt spend any money again scrooge mcwenger sitting on the gold. But again we look at other clubs blowing cash left right and centre trying to be us from the last two seasons. I do conceed that we lack an adequate cover for Glenn but the club tryed to rectify it however it has failed to happen but a war chest still remains for jan when our skipper should return like a new signing and the club will move on remember evolution not revolution by that i mean all of us on here not the club Man Yoo have had a clusterfuck of a window! We left it to the last day and then in true Stoke of the last 3 years style we couldn't afford it. War chest? You're joking right?
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Post by Rick Grimes on Sept 1, 2015 19:23:10 GMT
Joselu is a lot more mobile than Crouch, Hughes got it right when he said he gives us a 'different option' and I think he'll prove to be a decent addition to the squad. I think he'll do well but we'll have Peter Crouch either doing nothing or strangely starting cup games like a weight around our neck. I just find it unnecessary. I can see your point but if Diouf is injured for an extended period and you give me the choice to play Joselu, Crouch or Walters upfront I'd pick Joselu. Crouch is a great option but I'd want someone a bit more mobile and for that reason I think Joselu is the man.
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Post by trickydicky73 on Sept 1, 2015 19:25:24 GMT
A colossal bag of monkey spunk.
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