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Post by stokerstayinup on Feb 2, 2016 10:22:39 GMT
Afellay will play wide if one of the main men get injured.Has the ability to beat a full back,it's not all about pace. We're crying out for pace though. We don't have enough of it and we're a counter-attacking side. We've got pace in Shaq,Arnie and Diouf.
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Post by vahl on Feb 2, 2016 10:24:04 GMT
Not out wide. The only change has even Shaqiri for Moses, and the former hasn't outshone the latter yet. Odemwingie and Walters are still the back up brigade, along with Diouf. Overall we have (points. Position). Yesterday proved that the money is there for the right player. Perhaps (God forbid) that there wasn't the right winger at the right price available this window? I don't think that they're actively going out of their way not signing one just to piss the fans off. I'm also sure that if we didn't sign 'the right winger', they'd be slagged off for a quick fix or papering over the cracks. He/they will always be on a hiding to nothing where signings are concerned. They can't win. Agree with us being better off waiting until the summer. Also if Arnie decides to up and leave in the summer (and Odemwingie off) then we're left needing 3? wide players - it's a tough ask finding 1 to 'fit', let alone 3. January is horrible for signing attacking players too IMO.
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Post by bayernoatcake on Feb 2, 2016 10:26:08 GMT
Overall we have (points. Position). Yesterday proved that the money is there for the right player. Perhaps (God forbid) that there wasn't the right winger at the right price available this window? I don't think that they're actively going out of their way not signing one just to piss the fans off. I'm also sure that if we didn't sign 'the right winger', they'd be slagged off for a quick fix or papering over the cracks. He/they will always be on a hiding to nothing where signings are concerned. They can't win. Agree with us being better off waiting until the summer. Also if Arnie decides to up and leave in the summer (and Odemwingie off) then we're left needing 3? wide players - it's a tough ask finding 1 to 'fit', let alone 3. January is horrible for signing attacking players too IMO. We've needed a third winger for 3 windows now, lets not sugar coat this as waiting for the right person in this window.
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Wingers
Feb 2, 2016 10:31:11 GMT
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Post by ryan4england on Feb 2, 2016 10:31:11 GMT
Summer will be interesting you would think at least 4 out & 4 in and a sure cert for a 3rd winger
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Post by chiefdelilah on Feb 2, 2016 10:49:16 GMT
We're crying out for pace though. We don't have enough of it and we're a counter-attacking side. We've got pace in Shaq,Arnie and Diouf. But we don't have any depth. That's the point. We need a quick winger for when Arnie or Shaq aren't on it.
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Post by davejohnno1 on Feb 2, 2016 10:50:13 GMT
Maybe but we made genuine efforts to get konoplianka, yarmelenko, tried to resign Moses and then went for traore at the same time we were completing the shaqiri deal. Those attempts weren't made 12 months ago, they were made as recently as August. As the season unfolded it became even more of a priority though and with a few of the front four seemingly unable to complete 90 minutes at the minute and Diouf basically in the stiffs it has become a full on necessity. Imbula is a real statement. I don't know how good a player he is but I'm guessing he's fucking mustard, however, the most important thing is that Hughes has been massively backed at the back end of both Windows. I just don't think enough has been done to maximise our chances of really doing something this season. It gives us a bit more flexibility but hasn't really addressed the main problems. On the basis that the consensus of opinion is that we desperately need to add another winger to our collection, I'm pretty sure that you can be safe in the knowledge that Mark Hughes would love to add another winger to the ranks as well. Having gone out of both cups, perhaps the need wasn't quite so pressing and that our Management team are happy to wait until the summer when the/a player they really want becomes available. I wouldn't rule out further moves for Yarmelenko, Moses or Traore to be honest and no doubt there will be other targets, perhaps more readily available in the Summer. I think it is obvious that our manager has pretty clear ideas as to the type of player he wants and if that player isn't available, then he has enough trust in his current group of players to deliver the objectives for the season without signing someone for the sake of it. The only time he's done that was with Assaidi and that didn't work out particularly well did it? For years people have wanted a powerhouse midfielder. Now it appears we may well have one yet instead of getting all giddy about that, folk are still moaning about the ones we haven't signed. I have maintained for ages that the way we play we need 3 genuine wide options and I've always wanted us to sign a proper midfield player. A midfield player who is good at everything and offers something in every area of the pitch. I commented on how good the Porto No8 was in our pre-season friendly against them having no idea who he was. 6 months later, we've paid £18.3m for him. It is disappointing we haven't got another winger into the club, particularly as Arnie has been carrying a knock for a month or so and Shaqiri is still struggling to find consistency and form but I don't think it is something worth criticising anyone for. A winger will arrive, of that I have no doubt, when the right winger is available to us. Same with a centre forward. If we can tie Arnie to a new long term contract, and that is surely the objective between now and the end of the season, we are only 2 players away from something really special in my opinion. These are great times to be a Stoke fan. Frustrating though this season can be at times, given the potential that exists in our ranks, we mustn't forget that we are genuinely on the cusp of something unbelievable. A bit of patience and tolerance and I'm convinced we will be rewarded further for all those baron years that we suffered in the 3rd tier of English football.
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Post by davejohnno1 on Feb 2, 2016 10:51:42 GMT
Agree with us being better off waiting until the summer. Also if Arnie decides to up and leave in the summer (and Odemwingie off) then we're left needing 3? wide players - it's a tough ask finding 1 to 'fit', let alone 3. January is horrible for signing attacking players too IMO. We've needed a third winger for 3 windows now, lets not sugar coat this as waiting for the right person in this window. Not for the first time, I think you're talking absolute bollocks. Sugar coating? You're talking as if we have failed dismally when in truth, we've done no such thing.
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Wingers
Feb 2, 2016 10:55:36 GMT
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Post by ryan4england on Feb 2, 2016 10:55:36 GMT
We've got pace in Shaq,Arnie and Diouf. But we don't have any depth. That's the point. We need a quick winger for when Arnie or Shaq aren't on it. Rome was'nt built in a day, however I suspect/expect it may be built by end of August
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Post by baltipiesmuggler on Feb 2, 2016 10:59:18 GMT
How far off are any of our youth/academy? A couple of seasons? Any decent wingers amongst them? Moha?
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using proboards
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Post by stokerstayinup on Feb 2, 2016 11:01:48 GMT
We've got pace in Shaq,Arnie and Diouf. But we don't have any depth. That's the point. We need a quick winger for when Arnie or Shaq aren't on it. If it was the start of the season and we're still in 3 competitions,I'd be more concerned.I don't share the view that us not signing a back up winger at this stage is going to define our season.
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Post by bayernoatcake on Feb 2, 2016 11:05:22 GMT
We've needed a third winger for 3 windows now, lets not sugar coat this as waiting for the right person in this window. Not for the first time, I think you're talking absolute bollocks. Sugar coating? You're talking as if we have failed dismally when in truth, we've done no such thing. No I'm not. It's a weak area in the squad (not the first team) and we've had 3 windows to sort it. That's poor. It's not the end of the world but we've been here before.
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Post by bayernoatcake on Feb 2, 2016 11:06:19 GMT
But we don't have any depth. That's the point. We need a quick winger for when Arnie or Shaq aren't on it. If it was the start of the season and we're still in 3 competitions,I'd be more concerned.I don't share the view that us not signing a back up winger at this stage is going to define our season. We got knocked out of two in part down to the manager not changing his side up because oh..........we have no wingers to come in.
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Post by sheikhmomo on Feb 2, 2016 11:08:49 GMT
As the season unfolded it became even more of a priority though and with a few of the front four seemingly unable to complete 90 minutes at the minute and Diouf basically in the stiffs it has become a full on necessity. Imbula is a real statement. I don't know how good a player he is but I'm guessing he's fucking mustard, however, the most important thing is that Hughes has been massively backed at the back end of both Windows. I just don't think enough has been done to maximise our chances of really doing something this season. It gives us a bit more flexibility but hasn't really addressed the main problems. On the basis that the consensus of opinion is that we desperately need to add another winger to our collection, I'm pretty sure that you can be safe in the knowledge that Mark Hughes would love to add another winger to the ranks as well. Having gone out of both cups, perhaps the need wasn't quite so pressing and that our Management team are happy to wait until the summer when the/a player they really want becomes available. I wouldn't rule out further moves for Yarmelenko, Moses or Traore to be honest and no doubt there will be other targets, perhaps more readily available in the Summer. I think it is obvious that our manager has pretty clear ideas as to the type of player he wants and if that player isn't available, then he has enough trust in his current group of players to deliver the objectives for the season without signing someone for the sake of it. The only time he's done that was with Assaidi and that didn't work out particularly well did it? For years people have wanted a powerhouse midfielder. Now it appears we may well have one yet instead of getting all giddy about that, folk are still moaning about the ones we haven't signed. I have maintained for ages that the way we play we need 3 genuine wide options and I've always wanted us to sign a proper midfield player. A midfield player who is good at everything and offers something in every area of the pitch. I commented on how good the Porto No8 was in our pre-season friendly against them having no idea who he was. 6 months later, we've paid £18.3m for him. It is disappointing we haven't got another winger into the club, particularly as Arnie has been carrying a knock for a month or so and Shaqiri is still struggling to find consistency and form but I don't think it is something worth criticising anyone for. A winger will arrive, of that I have no doubt, when the right winger is available to us. Same with a centre forward. If we can tie Arnie to a new long term contract, and that is surely the objective between now and the end of the season, we are only 2 players away from something really special in my opinion. These are great times to be a Stoke fan. Frustrating though this season can be at times, given the potential that exists in our ranks, we mustn't forget that we are genuinely on the cusp of something unbelievable. A bit of patience and tolerance and I'm convinced we will be rewarded further for all those baron years that we suffered in the 3rd tier of English football. Nice words, dave. I think any fears are allayed about the manager not feeling he's been properly backed and we are indeed potentially on the cusp of something barely believable. This mental season more than any though is a chance to really do something now. We still might but any moaning about being unlucky with injuries and fitness will sound pretty hollow if the season tails off.
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Post by chiefdelilah on Feb 2, 2016 11:11:24 GMT
But we don't have any depth. That's the point. We need a quick winger for when Arnie or Shaq aren't on it. If it was the start of the season and we're still in 3 competitions,I'd be more concerned.I don't share the view that us not signing a back up winger at this stage is going to define our season. So if Arnie gets injured for any length of time you'll be quite happy with Diouf there for the rest of the season?
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Post by bayernoatcake on Feb 2, 2016 11:12:07 GMT
If it was the start of the season and we're still in 3 competitions,I'd be more concerned.I don't share the view that us not signing a back up winger at this stage is going to define our season. So if Arnie gets injured for any length of time you'll be quite happy with Diouf there for the rest of the season? I've seen calls for Muniesa to play there this season!
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Post by stokerstayinup on Feb 2, 2016 11:13:39 GMT
If it was the start of the season and we're still in 3 competitions,I'd be more concerned.I don't share the view that us not signing a back up winger at this stage is going to define our season. We got knocked out of two in part down to the manager not changing his side up because oh..........we have no wingers to come in. No we didn't.We lost in the semi because Hughes got his tactics wrong in the first leg,nothing to do with having a back up winger and because of our 'success' in that tournament we needed to play a weaker side in the fa cup just a few days later(not just in the wide positions).The point is,now,I think apart from 2 midweek games,we'll be playing just 1 game a week.The squad is perfectly capable of handling that.
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Post by stokerstayinup on Feb 2, 2016 11:14:36 GMT
If it was the start of the season and we're still in 3 competitions,I'd be more concerned.I don't share the view that us not signing a back up winger at this stage is going to define our season. So if Arnie gets injured for any length of time you'll be quite happy with Diouf there for the rest of the season? Afellay,as already suggested.
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Post by bayernoatcake on Feb 2, 2016 11:16:40 GMT
We got knocked out of two in part down to the manager not changing his side up because oh..........we have no wingers to come in. No we didn't.We lost in the semi because Hughes got his tactics wrong in the first leg,nothing to do with having a back up winger and because of our 'success' in that tournament we needed to play a weaker side in the fa cup just a few days later(not just in the wide positions).The point is,now,I think apart from 2 midweek games,we'll be playing just 1 game a week.The squad is perfectly capable of handling that. The first leg we were knackered and that was down to no rotation over Christmas. The tactics weren't great-agreed. They are but if one of Shaq or Arnie are injured for even 3 weeks then the way we play changes. And this is something that has been an issue now for 3 windows.
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Post by stokerstayinup on Feb 2, 2016 11:20:36 GMT
No we didn't.We lost in the semi because Hughes got his tactics wrong in the first leg,nothing to do with having a back up winger and because of our 'success' in that tournament we needed to play a weaker side in the fa cup just a few days later(not just in the wide positions).The point is,now,I think apart from 2 midweek games,we'll be playing just 1 game a week.The squad is perfectly capable of handling that. The first leg we were knackered and that was down to no rotation over Christmas. The tactics weren't great-agreed. They are but if one of Shaq or Arnie are injured for even 3 weeks then the way we play changes. And this is something that has been an issue now for 3 windows. I agree,palyers should have been rested for the WBA game,but lets not pretend that having one extra back up winger in the squad would have made that much difference,you can only rest one player for him. I don't agree that it's been an issue for 3 windows either,we're having a pretty good season from where I'm sitting.
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Post by chiefdelilah on Feb 2, 2016 11:22:58 GMT
So if Arnie gets injured for any length of time you'll be quite happy with Diouf there for the rest of the season? Afellay,as already suggested. It's still making do and weakening us significantly though. As it stands we rely heavily on our wide players to create and we don't look the same when they're not at the races. We have a great chance of making Europe this season and we've bet the farm on them staying fit and in form for the next five months. I hope we're not left to rue an opportunity missed.
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Post by stokerstayinup on Feb 2, 2016 11:28:21 GMT
Afellay,as already suggested. It's still making do and weakening us significantly though. As it stands we rely heavily on our wide players to create and we don't look the same when they're not at the races. We have a great chance of making Europe this season and we've bet the farm on them staying fit and in form for the next five months. I hope we're not left to rue an opportunity missed. If Arnie gets injured any replacement will weaken us though. There's only 3 1/2 months left,not 5. I agree,we have a great chance of Europe.
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Wingers
Feb 2, 2016 11:29:33 GMT
via mobile
Post by Kjones9 on Feb 2, 2016 11:29:33 GMT
Overall we have (points. Position). Yesterday proved that the money is there for the right player. Perhaps (God forbid) that there wasn't the right winger at the right price available this window? I don't think that they're actively going out of their way not signing one just to piss the fans off. I'm also sure that if we didn't sign 'the right winger', they'd be slagged off for a quick fix or papering over the cracks. He/they will always be on a hiding to nothing where signings are concerned. They can't win. Also if Arnie decides to up and leave in the summer (and Odemwingie off) then we're left needing 3? wide players - it's a tough ask finding 1 to 'fit', let alone 3. January is horrible for signing attacking players too IMO. Well we would need two. I don't think a team like ours can carry 4 wingers.
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Post by bayernoatcake on Feb 2, 2016 11:30:03 GMT
The first leg we were knackered and that was down to no rotation over Christmas. The tactics weren't great-agreed. They are but if one of Shaq or Arnie are injured for even 3 weeks then the way we play changes. And this is something that has been an issue now for 3 windows. I agree,palyers should have been rested for the WBA game,but lets not pretend that having one extra back up winger in the squad would have made that much difference,you can only rest one player for him. I don't agree that it's been an issue for 3 windows either,we're having a pretty good season from where I'm sitting. Long term of course it would because you can do it over time. Last January we let Assaidi go. From then we've had only 2 wingers. That's not really good enough.
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Wingers
Feb 2, 2016 11:33:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2016 11:33:56 GMT
Afellay,as already suggested. It's still making do and weakening us significantly though. As it stands we rely heavily on our wide players to create and we don't look the same when they're not at the races. We have a great chance of making Europe this season and we've bet the farm on them staying fit and in form for the next five months. I hope we're not left to rue an opportunity missed. Who do we sign as a back up to Arnie or Shaq who would be happy on the bench and who wouldn't weaken us massively when either of the above are injured or out of form? Hasn't Hughes already stated that he is looking for players that will improve the starting eleven?
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Post by bayernoatcake on Feb 2, 2016 11:38:18 GMT
It's still making do and weakening us significantly though. As it stands we rely heavily on our wide players to create and we don't look the same when they're not at the races. We have a great chance of making Europe this season and we've bet the farm on them staying fit and in form for the next five months. I hope we're not left to rue an opportunity missed. Who do we sign as a back up to Arnie or Shaq who would be happy on the bench and who wouldn't weaken us massively when either of the above are injured or out of form? Hasn't Hughes already stated that he is looking for players that will improve the starting eleven? Demari Gray.
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Post by stokerstayinup on Feb 2, 2016 11:38:54 GMT
I agree,palyers should have been rested for the WBA game,but lets not pretend that having one extra back up winger in the squad would have made that much difference,you can only rest one player for him. I don't agree that it's been an issue for 3 windows either,we're having a pretty good season from where I'm sitting. Long term of course it would because you can do it over time. Last January we let Assaidi go. From then we've had only 2 wingers. That's not really good enough. Whats not really good enough? Are you saying we've struggled since Assaidi left?
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Post by StokieAsh13 on Feb 2, 2016 11:38:58 GMT
Who do we sign as a back up to Arnie or Shaq who would be happy on the bench and who wouldn't weaken us massively when either of the above are injured or out of form? Hasn't Hughes already stated that he is looking for players that will improve the starting eleven? Demari Gray. 3.75 was a steal too.
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Post by chiefdelilah on Feb 2, 2016 11:40:49 GMT
It's still making do and weakening us significantly though. As it stands we rely heavily on our wide players to create and we don't look the same when they're not at the races. We have a great chance of making Europe this season and we've bet the farm on them staying fit and in form for the next five months. I hope we're not left to rue an opportunity missed. Who do we sign as a back up to Arnie or Shaq who would be happy on the bench and who wouldn't weaken us massively when either of the above are injured or out of form? Hasn't Hughes already stated that he is looking for players that will improve the starting eleven? So what's the answer, do nowt and have nobody? It's a squad game these days so they'd get plenty of minutes, especially as both Arnie and Shaq regularly have niggles and strains. Any player worth his salt is going to back themselves and they'll also know if they do well they'll inherit the shirt if and when one of the mainstays is sold. Leicester have wingers coming out of their arse so it's hardly mission impossible.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Feb 2, 2016 11:42:03 GMT
But we let Assaidi go because he wasn't right. I would rather have Ibrahim than Ossie covering that position.
I would also say that Shaqiri as a Stoke player makes us stronger than having Victor on loan.
I agree with PWingie. We ain't going to get a top quality winger to come and sit on the bench. We would have to make do and mend if Arnie or Shaq is injured.
Yarmolenko would be the one. He could play wide and would give us so many attacking options with Shaq maybe moving to a freer role inside.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2016 11:44:58 GMT
Who do we sign as a back up to Arnie or Shaq who would be happy on the bench and who wouldn't weaken us massively when either of the above are injured or out of form? Hasn't Hughes already stated that he is looking for players that will improve the starting eleven? Demari Gray. Demari Gray who hasn't done anything to prove that he will make it in this division you mean?
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