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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2018 19:03:07 GMT
We're doomed. Probably another 27 years outside the top flight. Oh hang on. Someone here mentioned Christmas. If miracles are likely to happen isn't this the time of year that things start. So Christmas miracle for Stoke. Follow our new star- Sam Clucas. Whatever happens I expect our three wise men, Coates, Scholes and Cartwright turn up late for the party, wondering what all the fuss is about. Happy advent to all. One is worth his weight in gold and the other two smell, (frankincense and myrrh). Cartwright would be a fuck load of gold!
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Post by mrred on Dec 4, 2018 20:46:44 GMT
Still think it's a pretty sizable failure if we don't make automatic promotion. There's no excuses. That is complete rubbish. Why is it? That was the sound the club was making before Coates changed it to “outside the top 6 is a failure” after the first few spankings. A club that’s spent the last 10 years in the top flight should be aiming to get back within the first season at the very least.
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Post by sufolkstokie on Dec 4, 2018 21:28:40 GMT
Rowett is a poor mans Pulis so no
And our board is so conservative, sticking by solid home grown managers
We got lucky with our promotion last time - and did a damn fine job of defying predictions even amongst ourselves of staying up
No chance this time
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Post by kustokie on Dec 5, 2018 3:16:01 GMT
After winning with 10 men and then throwing away two points at Reading i am beginning to think the issue has more to do with lack of motivation than it does about tactics. All the great coaches like fergie and cloughie were able to get players to perform way above their ability and leave everything on the pitch. We saw signs of that against Derby, because, I believe, the players took responsibility. Rowett can only do so much on his own, the rest is up to the players.
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Post by mrcoke on Dec 5, 2018 10:23:41 GMT
After winning with 10 men and then throwing away two points at Reading i am beginning to think the issue has more to do with lack of motivation than it does about tactics. All the great coaches like fergie and cloughie were able to get players to perform way above their ability and leave everything on the pitch. We saw signs of that against Derby, because, I believe, the players took responsibility. Rowett can only do so much on his own, the rest is up to the players. I agree. I believe Rowett may have been OK handling squads at Burton, Birmingham, and Derby till the second half of last season, but he is out of his depth trying to motivate older long served internationals. He has little experience at the top levels of football. The only time the team seem to get motivated is when they start losing or lose a lead. They are more motivated by pride and not wanting to be made fools by the opposition than by Rowett. Fergie, Clough, and the top current managers have personalities that dominate their players. I see no evidence of that with Rowett and his public statements are hardly going to inspire anyone. As for leadership on the pitch, McClean and Allan are 100% triers, Berahino seems to be trying harder under Rowett, but some players notably Shawcross just seem to be going through the motions. Afobe seems totally disinterested recently, as though he has been given a rocket and spit his dummy out. Butland has improved but probably to catch the eye of a big club, rather than being motivated by the club. Ince plays better than most, but always gives me the impression of being detached from the rest of the team and playing for himself. If that is his true nature, then it is hardly surprising he has played for so many clubs; " more than I've had hot dinners" as my old man used to say. Ironically the only player who imposes any leadership is Fletcher IMO, but he has lost his own ability to play. I am highly encouraged by Clucas's performances so far, but then so was I with Woods to start with, but he seems to play deeper and more negatively now. I have been calling for Rowett to be replaced since we went two down to a very poor Rotherham side. I'm sure there are available managers out there who could get a lot more out of this squad than Rowett is. People mock the usual names, but then I see what Hodgson has done at Palace and remember how people mocked his appointment when they were in deep trouble.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2018 10:34:31 GMT
You know I might just have a little go at that. I'll get you a pint if if it comes in Gods In truth I was tempted myself as I typed it! I do still believe we may make the play-offs and it's a 4 team lottery from there IMHO It's no lottery, a two legged tie and then a case of who's got the stones at Wembley.
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Post by s8to on Dec 6, 2018 13:28:12 GMT
The final irony on this is... Didn't Derby end up plating Fulham in the play off's..? And.. From memory Derby sat back and ultimately lost to Fulham as a result? There is a lesson there somewhere!! They won the home leg 1-0 and lost away 0-2. Can’t say I’ve seen the games but word has it from Derby fans that his defensive mindedness cost them. That was my point he sat back on the home lead and tried it for 90 minutes... Suicidal!!
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