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Post by FullerMagic on May 28, 2008 8:45:07 GMT
28/05/2008 - Berger 'not a Stoke target'
Patrik Berger seems certain to be a non-starter for Stoke next season as work continues towards bolstering City's squad for their first-ever tilt at the Premier League.
Reports last week claimed the former Czech international had been offered a 12-month contract.
But Stoke boss Tony Pulis has poured scorn on such claims by insisting today: "I haven't even spoken to him, never mind put a contract on the table."
Berger could have provided some of the quality creativity needed by Stoke next season, but would have taken a hefty chunk from Pulis's transfer kitty.
He remains more likely, therefore, to turn his attentions towards younger and more affordable options over the next three months.
Berger's name was linked with Stoke after a period on loan at the Britannia in November and December of 2006.
He started only one game after struggling to break into Stoke's in-form line-up at the time, but Pulis went out of his way to praise the professionalism of the 34-year-old former Liverpool and Portsmouth playmaker.
Berger's career in England could now be over after being released by Aston Villa following an irretrievable fall out with manager Martin O'Neill.
O'Neill, who sent Berger to Stoke after he refused to play for Villa reserves, finally lost patience with him when he admitted he had advised Gareth Barry to join Liverpool.
STOKE'S Republic of Ireland midfielder Glenn Whelan was due to learn today whether Saturday's impressive debut against Serbia would earn him a second cap in tomorrow's friendly against Columbia at Craven Cottage.
Whelan, a City player since his £500,000 move from Sheffield Wednesday in January, earned praise from Ireland's new manager Giovanni Trapattoni after holding his own for the full 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw in Dublin.
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Post by lordeffinghamhunt on May 28, 2008 8:46:13 GMT
Thank god for that
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liamsnose
Lads'n'Dads
gooaarrrrn stoke
Posts: 60 
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Post by liamsnose on May 28, 2008 8:50:28 GMT
there is a god
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Post by stokebill on May 28, 2008 9:59:03 GMT
"Berger could have provided some of the quality creativity needed by Stoke next season, but would have taken a hefty chunk from Pulis's transfer kitty."
Is a slightly concerning line. Surely Berger would have been a relatively cheap option - at least by 'Harewood' standards. Then again, if Pulis gives a player twice what the rest of the squad is earning then perhaps he's inviting trouble.
Delicate balancing act he has this summer.
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Post by glouscesterstokie on May 28, 2008 10:09:08 GMT
well done pulis!
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Post by Miniman on May 28, 2008 10:09:39 GMT
Loadsa Hull fans want him on football rumours and one of them thinks Campbell will sign on loan for rest of season!!
Think Berger is great signing for last season not this next season though, he's too slow...
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Post by tazi on May 28, 2008 10:17:24 GMT
Thank goodness for that as i would'nt have being too pleased with him for advising Mama to go to Liverpool.
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Post by bayernoatcake on May 28, 2008 10:21:10 GMT
I thought he would have been good coming off the bench. We need to improve our ball retention and he would have done that. On a 7 man bench he would have been a useful weapon to have.
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Post by tazi on May 28, 2008 10:29:02 GMT
What kinda weapon do you mean Bayern?. ;D
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Post by bayernoatcake on May 28, 2008 10:33:48 GMT
A quality footballer who can keep the ball, split defences with a pass and has a fair shot on him. All in all we have no player with an ounce of quality he posesses already in our team.
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Post by tazi on May 28, 2008 10:38:59 GMT
Oh!.
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Post by markscfc72 on May 28, 2008 11:04:34 GMT
But Stoke boss Tony Pulis has poured scorn on such claims by insisting today: "I haven't even spoken to him, never mind put a contract on the table."
that doesnt exactly say he isnt a target, he might not have spoken to him, YET!
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Post by knowingeye on May 28, 2008 11:37:00 GMT
Parkin disappointed "I'll have the sausage then, followed by a kebab, two cod, curry sauce and mushy peas!"
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