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Post by FullerMagic on May 5, 2008 19:20:34 GMT
....?
Did it ever emerge what country he was talking about in this article?
Wasn't he scouting in France (didn't someone say at Nice?) a couple of weeks ago?
21/12/2007 - Pulis plans for premier survival
High-flying Stoke City have already hatched the beginnings of a Premier League battle plan if they win promotion to the top flight this season.
But manager Tony Pulis insists such contingencies will not distract from the task of actually trying to win promotion first - starting with tomorrow's potential humdinger with Championship leaders West Brom at the Britannia Stadium.
Pulis told around 150 fans at last night's supporters' club meet-the-manager session that Stoke were already working on avoiding 'a Derby' if they reached the top flight.
"I think we will be better prepared on targets," he explained. "There's things in place to identify very good players in a certain country, players that will help us stay in the Premiership.
"If we get there I believe we have set something in place and have certain areas covered. Then we will be able to compete at a level we cannot compete at right now, and get in players that others don't yet know about."
Pulis remains confident about promotion as Stoke, unbeaten in their last six games, prepare to pitch their recent form against the Championship leaders.
He explained: "If we can add quality to the great spirit we've already got, then why shouldn't we do it?
"I've got one or two targets that will really excite people and ignite what we are trying to do.
"I was convinced we were going to do it last year and it took me a month to get over the fact we didn't.
"In fact, I could hardly face coming back for pre-season training, but I'm up and running now and desperate to try to see it out this year.
"There's a buzz around the place I've never felt before, even last year when we were riding high with more experienced players."
And he seemed to mention a plan of attack last week too
He is refusing to jump the gun by discussing any strategy for the Premier League next season, but admits certain plans have been swilling around his head.
"I've got a clear picture in my mind what to do if we hit the button on Sunday," he says. "I have a plan that I hope will help us, but we mustn't jump ahead of ourselves.
"If we were to do it, I would have been promoted out of every league. It's an occasion for the club and the city to embrace.
"You either go in with your tail between your legs and worried to death, or you go in with your shoulders back and give it a right go. And that's what we'll do."
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Post by Nick1984 on May 5, 2008 19:23:11 GMT
USA
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Post by stockportpotter on May 5, 2008 19:27:16 GMT
the only thing i could understand on the PA at the end was when the pitchside announcer mentioned that the club had a real surprise that the supporters would love now that we are in the PL. At least thats what i think he said.
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Post by steinovschmeichel on May 5, 2008 19:27:55 GMT
jamaica - aren;t we ready to siugn that Rudolf Austin's geezer.
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Post by 16quidachuck on May 5, 2008 19:28:55 GMT
jamaica
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Post by scfclifer on May 5, 2008 19:32:16 GMT
wasn't there a connection with france posted a while back ???
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Post by FullerMagic on May 5, 2008 19:33:19 GMT
Wouldn't there be big work permit issues though, as they're no longer in the top 75?
I know they seem to have high hopes for Rudolph Austin, but are there really that many gems on a small island like Jamaica - Demar's a regular yet can't get anywhere near our 16 in the Championship.
Are there really more undiscovered Fullers about?
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Post by Premiership Titanic Captain on May 5, 2008 19:36:05 GMT
It's got to be quite obvious who he meant back then - hence our current news of ties with 'Sporting Lisbon'.
Think about it.
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Post by mermaidsal on May 5, 2008 19:38:07 GMT
I sort of presumed it was the US, given that he said it only a few weeks before Phil Rawlins' American club was officially announced. Can't honestly see it giving us any first-teamers for a while though...  |
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Post by FullerMagic on May 5, 2008 19:40:01 GMT
Possible, I suppose.
But you'd think Sporting Lisbon are one of the most heavily scouted clubs in one of the most heavily scouted leagues in Europe, and all their gems are talked of in the 10m+ price bracket and normally find their way to Old Trafford or comparable club
And I can't really see a move to Stoke as a step up from a European giant like Sporting?
Yeah - I agree with that on the US, Sal.
You'd think any benefits from that will probably be long-term, and certainly not in the next 3 months?
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Post by Premiership Titanic Captain on May 5, 2008 19:45:30 GMT
My reasoning would be - real gems that are able to play in the Premiership, could be sent to Stoke from Sporting Lisbon before ending up at Old Trafford. Manchester United's feeder club is Sporting, and we would be Sporting's, so something could be possible.
John Rudge may of been on the infamous hotline to Sir Alex again.
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Post by FullerMagic on Jul 3, 2008 20:17:28 GMT
Still a bit unclear what this little plan centred around a certain country is/was?
Nothing has materialised with the Lisbon link in Portugal, and we were never going to br in pole to get the best Portuguese youngsters.
We've been reported to have done a bit of scouting in France, but it hasn't borne any fruit yet
Jamaica won't produce many Prem players, and we'll probably end up with 3 of their best
And the USA link won't bear fruit for years and must be very long-term?
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Post by itsmorethanagame on Jul 3, 2008 20:55:46 GMT
It is a strange one this.
I wonder if it was a bit of naivety from Tone and the club and France was the country in question with their hotbed of African players. We know we were in for N'Daw and there were possibly others we were considering. We may have had this idea in mind with with a number of agents contacting us but on closer inpection the Didier Drogba type players which we were promised turned out to be more mama sidibe. And the value of the better players over there have probably rocketed this year anyway.
It's one theory anyway.
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Post by Dr Oetcake on Jul 4, 2008 8:05:33 GMT
I think its Italy, Tone plans to surrender at the end of August!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2008 8:53:54 GMT
I always reckoned it might be a bit to the south of Rawlins-FC. US players would be difficult to get permits for, and I reckon people above are right about "tiny islands" providing all that many players ... Plenty of Spanish grandkids south of Rawlins and co, though??  ah |
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