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Post by cheeesfreeex on Nov 2, 2016 1:36:15 GMT
It's typical of Some Stoke fans- you beat the three teams who up until 2 weeks ago were above you, and that is of no consequence because they are the three worst teams in the league. As one of those who was calling for the manager's head after the Palace game - no I don't think that. Those were three massive and very impressive wins at a point when it was very clearly 'make or break' for the team. Also, as I keep pointing out, we have generally had a very poor record playing against 'rubbish teams' so to beat three of them on the bounce is actually a substantial improvement on recent seasons. And anyway we nearly beat Manchester United at Old Trafford. It's absolutely fair to say though, that those early performances were simply not good enough. Questions need to be asked about why our early season form gets worse every year. And of course that bud run streched way back into the previous season as well. Something was very wrong - it looks like it's been put right now but there remains the question of what we recently spent £18million on since the net result of that seems to be a player who can't even make the bench and by all accounts may have an attitude problem. So, we look to have pulled ourselves out of a big hole, let's get through the season but then some questions need to be asked about how we prevent this happening again. Imbula was on the bench last night. The rest of your post flips backwards and forwards so much that it's symptomatic of yer avatar mate.. Drew against Middlesboro, got beaten chasing the game vs Man City, beaten by the back of Given's head vs Everton, better team first half vs Spurs, last minute corner vs West Brom etc. No glossing over Crystal Palace it was an abomination, but interestingly an experimental midfield of Whelan, Allen, Bojan. We've learned. We didn't fade nor finish weakly even in defeat. Best showing against TP, best performance at OT and a run of draws and wins with few conceded. Much much better at set pieces, corners etc. We had a cocky swagger last night. Injuries to Jack, Shaq and Johnson and figuring out the midfield may have slightly hampered us, and the disappointing LCup exit whiffs a bit but imo it's Hughes & co's most promising start. No point fretting about how last season ended it doesn't affect this years points tally and we've bought in big hitters in Grant, Bruno, Allen, Bony, since then, like a new spine.
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Post by kustokie on Nov 2, 2016 1:48:23 GMT
Slow starts three seasons in a row is unacceptable and is symptamic of a lack of preparation in the off-season.
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Nov 2, 2016 2:51:04 GMT
Slow starts three seasons in a row is unacceptable and is symptamic of a lack of preparation in the off-season. May well have been the case, this is the 4th season and imo there's plenty of evidence that indicate that issues have been addressed. A rational replay of the seasons start wouldn't have put us much above where we are. About on par with expectation imo. With a decided improvement compared to previous seasons damp squib openers against the likes of QPR, Villa, Burnley etc or early humpings in the NE. I'm perhaps being picky because I think 'slow' is the wrong adjective to describe our start. Patchy, injury hit etc, but we've competed and not been found lacking in the energy levels imo. I believe it has been addressed. Discovered how to pick apart and punish the supposed shitter opposition, something we've struggled with. There's movement, rehearsed movement at set pieces, corners etc. We look dangerous again. This has been building from the off. Legitimate concerns about the past but irrelevant now imo. A magic sponge might help tho.
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Post by Kjones9 on Nov 2, 2016 8:44:52 GMT
We've beaten the three worst teams in the league in fairness, but we have turned the corner. Don't let the highs be too high, don't let the lows be too low. Irony?
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Post by blackpoolred on Nov 2, 2016 9:45:48 GMT
Will this teach everybody to calm the fuck down? 4 seasons in a row we've had slow starts and some of the nonsense sprouted on here has been embarrassing. This isn't a "told you so" its simply a request that people back the manager in times of need, rather than panic and boo the team. Well done sparky for not crumbling under pressure, the team looks great at the moment. Up the potters! You say it is not a told you so post, but let's be honest - it is Do wish we wouldn't post these until we get to 40pts, I see them as tempting fate some what. When the team looks uninterested, unprepared and unfit and does not start playing till the end of October each year then people have the right to be concerned. That said the potential we have going forward in Sobhi, allen, Arnie and boni is incredible and a real treat to watch at the moment, but it is bitter sweet, when the ball goes down the other end of the pitch and we are watching the likes of Pieters getting skinned reguarly. There is still an awful lot to sort out in that squad though, particularly defensively and If I am honest I am still not sure Hughes does defence or defenders or is up to the job of sorting that area of the pitch out - so let's see what he can do in the window to prove his doubters wrong. Certainly a long way to go before we can start the told you everything would be peachy threads. If we are on 35pts by xmas I will allow them
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Post by jarhead on Nov 2, 2016 10:04:03 GMT
It's typical of Some Stoke fans- you beat the three teams who up until 2 weeks ago were above you, and that is of no consequence because they are the three worst teams in the league. However you lose 3 of your opening 4 games to teams who will in all likelihood finish in the top 6 and the manager is clueless. Probably the same bunch who have written Shawcross off, couldn't see the point in Shaqiri, think that Bony is a fat slow uninterested player, but no doubt are ace at "Football Manager". Just in case some of you have'nt noticed, Guardiola just went 6 games without a win, Mourinho has won 1 of his last 7 and failed to score in his last 3 - if these guys were at Stoke we'd be saying they were clueless. I see that a great defensive coach managed to concede 4 against Man C. on Saturday - and that's with a squad with hardly any injuries? The season lasts for 38 games and it is knicker wetting when after 6 games people are screaming for the progress of the previous 3 seasons to just be dumped- and that is what some on here we're doing. I have no doubt we will have some good runs and some poor ones before the end of the season, given that we are an upper mid table team whose best chance of success lies in the Cup (depending on what sort of draw we get), surely this is what the majority of Premier League teams experience? Superb well said. We have some clueless fans
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