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Post by A-teen_six_T3 on Feb 3, 2019 1:15:24 GMT
At this time a year ago relegation was a a very realistic possibility, lets face it we all knew deep down that we were going down. The majority of us thought that we will lose all key players and a phrase I heard a lot was "if we go down, we stay down" something I very much agreed with. I thought it would be 2 or 3 years of midtable mediocrity with a boring less than average manager at the helm and a full squad to replace because we'd lose our better players from the season (Butland, Allen, BMI and Shaq even the likes of Diouf and Choup. Then the players out on loan you wouldn't have thought would fancy a championship battle. Losing loan signings Zouma, Jesse. You are basically looking at a new squad.
I thought we'd suffer a bit of a relegation hangover but would be at least be showing fight, bottle and passion even though we weren't winning enough games to challenge
But fair play to the board in the summer we kept hold of the majority of the squad. Only really lost Shaq and the loanees. We got in an inspiring young says the right things manager and positivity rang around the city again. We made some, on paper, good championship signings...Afobe had been one of the best strikers the league had seen in the previous years for example, Ince had always performed at this level. People were now saying "you know what, we could go straight back up" or "play offs at least" There was optimism. It was an exciting time to follow Stoke
Leeds brought us all crashing back down to earth...
The season has been pretty shit, lets be fair. Players haven't played to their potential, Rowett was massively out of his depth (apparently) and the club stinks from top to bottom.
However at no point did I think we could end the season hovering ( albeit comfortably) above the relegation zone with a new manager and a squad of players who either don't give a shit, are shit or have no bottle or a combination of the 3. At no point over the last 12 months did I ever feel It'd be this glum being a Stoke fan
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Post by NassauDave on Feb 3, 2019 1:24:37 GMT
It’s been a fucking nightmare.
Last year was shite, but this is disgraceful.
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Post by wilcopotter on Feb 3, 2019 1:26:31 GMT
Here we go again. More doom, cop on.
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Post by steve66 on Feb 3, 2019 1:54:02 GMT
Here we go again. More doom, cop on. It’s not doom m8, good post by OP, sums up my feelings to s tee! We just look disjointed and have been for best part of two years now! |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2019 6:49:41 GMT
There were plenty predicting another relegation so the answer is no.
Some people thought it would be a lot worse.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2019 6:50:37 GMT
I never thought I’d see the blatant lack of effort. I’ve supported pre-premiership days. I’ve seen us lose. I don’t really mind being in the championship and although obviously I’d rather see us win I don’t mind losing if you know they’ve given their all. But this laziness and lack of effort is difficult to watch.
Last year I thought we just weren’t good enough, and the complete disinterest in being here was broadly limited to that awful Jese and Choupo. Unfortunately their attitude seems to have been contagious and has now swept through the squad.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2019 9:54:56 GMT
I remember before the first game of the season, us and fans everywhere were stating that our squad was one of the best the Championship had seen.
Jesus Christ, how wrong everybody was. Take away the fact that some aren’t good enough players to actually play in the Championship, they’re also lily-livered weaklings, with delusions of grandeur, and obscene pay-packets for the pleasure.
I fucking hate 80% of this squad of ours.
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Post by fca47 on Feb 3, 2019 9:56:53 GMT
No. You can certainly see why we went down.
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Post by Jug Bank Stokie on Feb 3, 2019 10:00:46 GMT
I remember before the first game of the season, us and fans everywhere were stating that our squad was one of the best the Championship had seen. Jesus Christ, how wrong everybody was. Take away the fact that some aren’t good enough players to actually play in the Championship, they’re also lily-livered weaklings, with delusions of grandeur, and obscene pay-packets for the pleasure. I fucking hate 80% of this squad of ours. The Hull commentator yesterday was saying how our squad was the best in the league. They haven't got a clue, we are literally terrible. |
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Post by generationex on Feb 3, 2019 10:06:56 GMT
What happened to all the fellas that were looking forward to a season of winning every week as they had enough of the greed league?
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Post by kidcrewbob on Feb 3, 2019 10:13:31 GMT
What happened to all the fellas that were looking forward to a season of winning every week as they had enough of the greed league? This. Many were saying that it would actually do us good to go down, re-group, re-invigorate and bounce back - I persoanlly think we're looking at a decade of strife and when Coates Snr leaves the scene it *could* spell the end of any realistic Prem aspirations as per Portsmouth.....its a great shame as it was eminently avoidable... |
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Post by 19notbeaten72 on Feb 3, 2019 10:17:08 GMT
A year ago you could sense that relegation was a very real outcome but it was 3 years in the making that everybody could see coming everybody but our very wealthy owners that is.
It could easily have been avoided if the right decisions had been made in good time i.e. removing Hughes at least 12 months before they did.
You get the sense that they have still not grasped how bad things really are & our decline has still not hit bottom.
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Post by cheshirepotter on Feb 3, 2019 10:19:34 GMT
I remember before the first game of the season, us and fans everywhere were stating that our squad was one of the best the Championship had seen. Jesus Christ, how wrong everybody was. Take away the fact that some aren’t good enough players to actually play in the Championship, they’re also lily-livered weaklings, with delusions of grandeur, and obscene pay-packets for the pleasure. I fucking hate 80% of this squad of ours. The Hull commentator yesterday was saying how our squad was the best in the league. They haven't got a clue, we are literally terrible. The views of the rest of the footballing community always lags reality. People were still going on about the ‘bear-pit’ long after we had become a soft touch at home. The rot that set in 2-3 years ago only materialised into results much later. Lots didn’t see it coming, people still talked about it being a well run club but it was obvious things were very very wrong.. This squad still looks good to those remote from Stoke but we can see that it does not have the stomach for a fight and hasn’t done for years. Putting this to right is a long long job. It may never be put right. I would go further and say that we were fortunate to get promoted in the first place, that it was down to a unique manager and a unique group of players with unique talents. Once that was disassembled, the future was always going to be ‘interesting’. And here we are.... |
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Post by The man from Utch on Feb 3, 2019 10:32:01 GMT
I was apprehensive knowing this League takes no prisoners and if you are not motivated and on your game every week that you'd be eaten up for breakfast, and get turned over by teams that you look at and think what the fuck are these teams even dping in the Championship. Jones( where's his post match interview?) needs to be allowed to bring in every player he needs for his vision to get us back to the Premiership, Coates owes the fans for this for the worst Gaffe i have ever known by the ownershp of a football club, what's all the fuss about?.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2019 11:02:16 GMT
When we went down I said at least we'll win a few more games.
So,no I wasn't expecting this, I expected us to be near the playoffs by now, I also expected Rowett to still be manager
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Post by StokeTudoGuy on Feb 3, 2019 11:17:39 GMT
The only thing missing from that post is pointing out how a chunk of the support base has been as wank as what has been going on in the club and on the pitch.
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Post by robwahlmann on Feb 3, 2019 11:29:24 GMT
I really hoped all the optimism in preseason would propell us up this league, unfortunately it has become another hell season as I see it.  |
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Post by Pretty Little Boother on Feb 3, 2019 11:38:19 GMT
Yes!
"I'm looking forward to a year in the Championship. The Premier League is boring. I'm looking forward to some proper away days with proper clubs. I'm looking forward to winning games again."
Fuck that.
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Post by wagsastokie on Feb 3, 2019 11:43:03 GMT
The only thing missing from that post is pointing out how a chunk of the support base has been as wank as what has been going on in the club and on the pitch. Which chunk of the supporters has been wank The happy clappers Or those that boo and criticise |
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Post by Pretty Little Boother on Feb 3, 2019 11:43:56 GMT
The only thing missing from that post is pointing out how a chunk of the support base has been as wank as what has been going on in the club and on the pitch. Disagree with that, the support is the one thing that has surprised me in a good way. I'm amazed it's held up as well as it has. I'm sure it'll drop off with this round of ST sales, though. |
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banx10
Academy Starlet
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Post by banx10 on Feb 3, 2019 11:50:38 GMT
Ermmmm, yes!
As soon as I heard the rumour Tony might be let go,
I knew it was all over.
How the hell could they like Hughes could be a better boss then Pulis is amazingly dumb!
If they were talking about a new direction, then only someone from top echelons would have possibly been ok.
I’ve said it 100 times before, but it’s all over now. It won’t ever return in our lifetimes (cup final, Europe, top exciting players) again. We might go up again in 10 years, but we’ll be just a pointless yo-yo club.
I actually just can’t enjoy watching knowing it’s all just pointless.
Yeah yippee we beat dirty Leeds we are the best! No because a week ago we created another new low, letting a 2-0 lead go at home to a lower league struggling team. All just a load of bollocking shite!!
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Post by Bojan Mackey on Feb 3, 2019 11:54:12 GMT
Ermmmm, yes! As soon as I heard the rumour Tony might be let go, I knew it was all over. How the hell could they like Hughes could be a better boss then Pulis is amazingly dumb! If they were talking about a new direction, then only someone from top echelons would have possibly been ok. I’ve said it 100 times before, but it’s all over now. It won’t ever return in our lifetimes (cup final, Europe, top exciting players) again. We might go up again in 10 years, but we’ll be just a pointless yo-yo club. I actually just can’t enjoy watching knowing it’s all just pointless. Yeah yippee we beat dirty Leeds we are the best! No because a week ago we created another new low, letting a 2-0 lead go at home to a lower league struggling team. All just a load of bollocking shite!! Call the orderlies, we’ve got an escape! |
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Post by Goonie on Feb 3, 2019 12:04:07 GMT
After the Hughes/Lambert debacle I was looking forward to winning games and genuinely, and quite deluded, thought we would romp the league behind the 'up-and-coming Gary Rowett'
The Rowett experiment was a disaster and Jones has come in, mid-season, and not only had to deal with the previous squad that relegated us but Rowett' s rag-tag delinquents.
Next season will be the real measure of Jones's ability. It's a shame it's come to this but when PC asks 'What's all the fuss' You knew we were in trouble through complacent mismanagement, even if that statement was about calming things it added to the air of frustration within the fanbase
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Post by 19notbeaten72 on Feb 3, 2019 12:20:46 GMT
The only thing missing from that post is pointing out how a chunk of the support base has been as wank as what has been going on in the club and on the pitch. Have to disagree with you on this the support has held up quite well considering the very poor performances we have had to endure. |
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Post by mrcoke on Feb 3, 2019 12:21:12 GMT
Things are bad but I think a lot of players are getting tarred with the same brush in some of the posts above.
Successful teams are built on a sound defence. Attackers do not function well if they are looking over their shoulder at players behind them who will let them down if they (the attackers) make a mistake and lose the ball. We had the worst defence in the Prem last season, lost Zouma, and started with the same failed players plus 2 rejects from Everton. Batth is going to take time to build an understanding with the players alongside him. Till then we will leak goals.
It is unfair to criticize McClean and Allan for effort and not caring yesterday. They were just ineffective.
Bojan and Etebo sparkled at times but made mistakes which is hardly surprising in Bojan's case he is not match sharp.
Edwards had a decent game, but still shows his naivety and tries to do too much/be too clever and gets caught out; he needs coaching and experience and he will blossom.
Butland, Williams and Vokes did a days work and were OK; Williams had one of his better games and seems better when Ryan is now around, when they are both playing they seem not to gel.
Clucas and Indi had shockers, but what was really disappointing for me was the substitutes. Ince and Afobe just did not seem bothered; it was as though the match was lost "why try?" They really brassed me off.
The game turned "on the hour". Bojan went off after 61 mins and we conceded after 64 mins. Maybe changing the team formation disturbed concentration. We were always in with a chance while Bojan was "doing things", granted his corners were poor, but we went down hill badly when he went off. I hope NJ recognizes that. I am not a massive Bojan fan, I recognize he has not succeeded under many managers and clubs, but he is clearly extremely talented and is worth an extended run, but I fear he will b dropped again.
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Post by Caerwrangonpotter on Feb 3, 2019 12:25:44 GMT
Its been bad yes, but not as bad as in the past.
Give NJ the power & time to scrub the decks of the accumulation of crap that messers Hughes/Scholes/Carto & Rowett have provided us with.
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Post by mrcoke on Feb 3, 2019 12:26:21 GMT
Don't understand why people are having a go at Hughes.
Yes he lost the plot and set us on a relegation course, but he did turn a dour losing Pulis side into 3 9th places. I think it will be a long time, if ever, that Stoke will achieve that again.
The irony is because of those 3 9th places and some exciting football, arguably the best quality football since the 70s, the Board remained loyal to Hughes till it was too late.
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Post by StokeTudoGuy on Feb 3, 2019 12:43:38 GMT
The only thing missing from that post is pointing out how a chunk of the support base has been as wank as what has been going on in the club and on the pitch. Which chunk of the supporters has been wank The happy clappers Or those that boo and criticise The 4-6k that haven't even shown up |
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Post by Pretty Little Boother on Feb 3, 2019 13:25:16 GMT
Ermmmm, yes! As soon as I heard the rumour Tony might be let go, I knew it was all over. How the hell could they like Hughes could be a better boss then Pulis is amazingly dumb! If they were talking about a new direction, then only someone from top echelons would have possibly been ok. I’ve said it 100 times before, but it’s all over now. It won’t ever return in our lifetimes (cup final, Europe, top exciting players) again. We might go up again in 10 years, but we’ll be just a pointless yo-yo club. I actually just can’t enjoy watching knowing it’s all just pointless. Yeah yippee we beat dirty Leeds we are the best! No because a week ago we created another new low, letting a 2-0 lead go at home to a lower league struggling team. All just a load of bollocking shite!! Pulis' form was taking us on a downwards spiral that probably would have ended up in relegation, and Hughes was demonstratably better than Pulis for three out of his five seasons. |
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Post by danceswithclams on Feb 3, 2019 13:37:30 GMT
Ermmmm, yes! As soon as I heard the rumour Tony might be let go, I knew it was all over. How the hell could they like Hughes could be a better boss then Pulis is amazingly dumb! If they were talking about a new direction, then only someone from top echelons would have possibly been ok. I’ve said it 100 times before, but it’s all over now. It won’t ever return in our lifetimes (cup final, Europe, top exciting players) again. We might go up again in 10 years, but we’ll be just a pointless yo-yo club. I actually just can’t enjoy watching knowing it’s all just pointless. Yeah yippee we beat dirty Leeds we are the best! No because a week ago we created another new low, letting a 2-0 lead go at home to a lower league struggling team. All just a load of bollocking shite!! Cock. |
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