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Post by davejohnno1 on Mar 14, 2023 23:31:44 GMT
I’ve watched a stoke city game and at the end of it I’m smiling. Not only that but I’ve invested some emotion in the game. I even punched the sofa when no one got on the end of Campbell’s delicious late ball in to the box.
For the first time in as long as I can remember I was actually invested in the game myself. I’d forgotten what it felt like.
Hopefully the corner is well and truly turned.
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Post by scfcno1fan on Mar 14, 2023 23:35:28 GMT
Stoke 0 1 Norwich
You just know it.
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Post by chiprockets on Mar 14, 2023 23:35:30 GMT
Absolutely no mention of your pathetic vendetta against the manager.
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Post by GrahamHyde on Mar 14, 2023 23:36:05 GMT
Same, posted on the other thread that this side are a breath of fresh air. Actually enjoying watching Stoke City matches again which hasn't been the case in God knows how long.
Don't get me wrong, still plenty of work still to be done but you can actually see a cohesive team there now and an identity.
The fitness levels are much improved, and the team look so much more confident when they go behind.
Thank you Alex Neil, let's keep it going!
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Post by cheadlepotter on Mar 14, 2023 23:42:31 GMT
Said to my wife this afternoon and my brother after the match that I’m looking forward to next season, a feeling I haven’t had in a while. The team is likeable for the first time in years, the pressing is working and while it’s never enough on its own fans love to see players putting a shift in. Fortunately we have some talent to go with that effort too. Hopefully we can keep a few of the loanees and with a target man we can create a Plan B too.
Happy days.
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Post by davejohnno1 on Mar 14, 2023 23:43:15 GMT
Absolutely no mention of your pathetic vendetta against the manager. I’m quite liking the fact that he’s ditched his stupid back 3 and his propensity to chop and change for no good reason. Consistent selection, a back 4 and going toe to toe with the opposition, whoever that may be, will always find favour from me. Brighton was a turning point for me even in defeat. I’m more than happy if he can continue to prove my fears about his suitability for our club were very Ill-founded. When it’s shit I’ll say it’s shit. When it’s good I’ll say it’s good. More than anything I just want to enjoy games. I really enjoyed that tonight. Interestingly I don’t recall you jumping to his defence |
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Post by Olgrligm on Mar 14, 2023 23:45:08 GMT
We're playing well and our games have generally been very entertaining.
If we keep up this momentum and make some smart signings in the summer we will really go places. I'm so genuinely excited for next season.
One small fly in the ointment. I'd say that there are seven players in the eleven who I would class as critical to our system and key contributors to our good form. Of those, Sterling, Hoever, Pearson and Smallbone are all on loan and will be difficult to retain for next year. That's where we need to be smart.
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Post by chiprockets on Mar 14, 2023 23:49:24 GMT
Absolutely no mention of your pathetic vendetta against the manager. I’m quite liking the fact that he’s ditched his stupid back 3 and his propensity to chop and change for no good reason. Consistent selection, a back 4 and going toe to toe with the opposition, whoever that may be, will always find favour from me. Brighton was a turning point for me even in defeat. I’m more than happy if he can continue to prove my fears about his suitability for our club were very Ill-founded. When it’s shit I’ll say it’s shit. When it’s good I’ll say it’s good. More than anything I just want to enjoy games. I really enjoyed that tonight. Interestingly I don’t recall you jumping to his defence That’s absolutely not it. That’s fiction compared to what you post. Do you recall me slagging him off? The only manager I’ve hated is O’Neill. |
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Post by bayernoatcake on Mar 14, 2023 23:51:42 GMT
I’m quite liking the fact that he’s ditched his stupid back 3 and his propensity to chop and change for no good reason. Consistent selection, a back 4 and going toe to toe with the opposition, whoever that may be, will always find favour from me. Brighton was a turning point for me even in defeat. I’m more than happy if he can continue to prove my fears about his suitability for our club were very Ill-founded. When it’s shit I’ll say it’s shit. When it’s good I’ll say it’s good. More than anything I just want to enjoy games. I really enjoyed that tonight. Interestingly I don’t recall you jumping to his defence That’s absolutely not it. That’s fiction compared to what you post. Do you recall me slagging him off? The only manager I’ve hated is O’Neill. Stop being dramatic and talking shit. |
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Post by bayernoatcake on Mar 14, 2023 23:54:36 GMT
Absolutely no mention of your pathetic vendetta against the manager. I’m quite liking the fact that he’s ditched his stupid back 3 and his propensity to chop and change for no good reason. Consistent selection, a back 4 and going toe to toe with the opposition, whoever that may be, will always find favour from me. Brighton was a turning point for me even in defeat. I’m more than happy if he can continue to prove my fears about his suitability for our club were very Ill-founded. When it’s shit I’ll say it’s shit. When it’s good I’ll say it’s good. More than anything I just want to enjoy games. I really enjoyed that tonight. Interestingly I don’t recall you jumping to his defence The whole back 3 thing really fucks me off. Neil said he played it because people told him the squad was built for it. The presenter parroted that tonight. 1) have the balls to do it your own way 2) who are these people? They clearly know fuck all about football. The squad was absolutely not built for a back 3. Only an idiot would suggest it was. We had plenty of those on offer on here because it’s what the manager was doing and they can’t think for themselves. Makes me mad. Hallelujah thought that 1 has seemingly happened. Better late than never. |
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Post by davejohnno1 on Mar 14, 2023 23:54:48 GMT
I’m quite liking the fact that he’s ditched his stupid back 3 and his propensity to chop and change for no good reason. Consistent selection, a back 4 and going toe to toe with the opposition, whoever that may be, will always find favour from me. Brighton was a turning point for me even in defeat. I’m more than happy if he can continue to prove my fears about his suitability for our club were very Ill-founded. When it’s shit I’ll say it’s shit. When it’s good I’ll say it’s good. More than anything I just want to enjoy games. I really enjoyed that tonight. Interestingly I don’t recall you jumping to his defence That’s absolutely not it. That’s fiction compared to what you post. Do you recall me slagging him off? The only manager I’ve hated is O’Neill. To be perfectly honest I can’t say I’ve ever noticed a single one of your posts irrespective of what you may or may not posted. Your username isn’t one I recognise at all so if you hate MON fair enough. For someone annoyed at an apparent vendetta I’d possibly have expected to see a vehement defence of the subject being presented if your conviction in him being so good was so strong 👍 |
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Post by willieeetmiout on Mar 14, 2023 23:55:18 GMT
That’s absolutely not it. That’s fiction compared to what you post. Do you recall me slagging him off? The only manager I’ve hated is O’Neill. Stop being dramatic and talking shit. We are here with the irony again |
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Post by datguy on Mar 14, 2023 23:58:53 GMT
I’m quite liking the fact that he’s ditched his stupid back 3 and his propensity to chop and change for no good reason. Consistent selection, a back 4 and going toe to toe with the opposition, whoever that may be, will always find favour from me. Brighton was a turning point for me even in defeat. I’m more than happy if he can continue to prove my fears about his suitability for our club were very Ill-founded. When it’s shit I’ll say it’s shit. When it’s good I’ll say it’s good. More than anything I just want to enjoy games. I really enjoyed that tonight. Interestingly I don’t recall you jumping to his defence The whole back 3 thing really fucks me off. Neil said he played it because people told him the squad was built for it. The presenter parroted that tonight. 1) have the balls to do it your own way 2) who are these people? They clearly know fuck all about football. The squad was absolutely not built for a back 3. Only an idiot would suggest it was. We had plenty of those on offer on here because it’s what the manager was doing and they can’t think for themselves. Makes me mad. Hallelujah thought that 1 has seemingly happened. Better late than never. Mr Delap |
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Post by chiprockets on Mar 14, 2023 23:59:30 GMT
That’s absolutely not it. That’s fiction compared to what you post. Do you recall me slagging him off? The only manager I’ve hated is O’Neill. To be perfectly honest I can’t say I’ve ever noticed a single one of your posts irrespective of what you may or may not posted. Your username isn’t one I recognise at all so if you hate MON fair enough. For someone annoyed at an apparent vendetta I’d possibly have expected to see a vehement defence of the subject being presented if your conviction in him being so good was so strong 👍 That’s fine, but why ask where my posts defending him are if you don’t recognise the username hating mon ? It’s not really about my posts tbh My point was you’ve aggressively complained about the team and Neil. Then don’t mention it when you’re suckling at the enjoyment teat |
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Post by bayernoatcake on Mar 15, 2023 0:02:27 GMT
To be perfectly honest I can’t say I’ve ever noticed a single one of your posts irrespective of what you may or may not posted. Your username isn’t one I recognise at all so if you hate MON fair enough. For someone annoyed at an apparent vendetta I’d possibly have expected to see a vehement defence of the subject being presented if your conviction in him being so good was so strong 👍 That’s fine, but why ask where my posts defending him are if you don’t recognise the username hating mon ? It’s not really about my posts tbh My point was you’ve aggressively complained about the team and Neil. Then don’t mention it when you’re suckling at the enjoyment teat 😂😂😂who cares |
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Post by alexpenkhull on Mar 15, 2023 0:07:19 GMT
I posted in January about my apathy for watching Stoke city for the first time in my life. Over the last few weeks my engagement has returned. Not for the winning results but the passion, hard work and growing identity (particularly our high pressing) is there to see again.
I feel optimistic again that we can get a result against any team in this league. Sign up Pearson, Hoever and Smallbone in the summer and a few more faces into this system and we can realistically challenge for the play offs again.
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Post by werrington on Mar 15, 2023 0:11:16 GMT
There wasn’t many in the away end Dave but it would of been carnage had somebody got a touch to it
Inching home just by Oldham 😊
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Post by thepottypotter on Mar 15, 2023 0:11:25 GMT
I posted in January about my apathy for watching Stoke city for the first time in my life. Over the last few weeks my engagement has returned. Not for the winning results but the passion, hard work and growing identity (particularly our high pressing) is there to see again. I feel optimistic again that we can get a result against any team in this league. Sign up Pearson, Hoever and Smallbone in the summer and a few more faces into this system and we can realistically challenge for the play offs again. If they sign all the loanees, would you go for a season ticket? |
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Post by nottsover60 on Mar 15, 2023 0:19:51 GMT
I posted in January about my apathy for watching Stoke city for the first time in my life. Over the last few weeks my engagement has returned. Not for the winning results but the passion, hard work and growing identity (particularly our high pressing) is there to see again. I feel optimistic again that we can get a result against any team in this league. Sign up Pearson, Hoever and Smallbone in the summer and a few more faces into this system and we can realistically challenge for the play offs again. If they sign all the loanees, would you go for a season ticket? I don't care, having slated Neil up till about three weeks ago, I now have faith in him to sort it in the summer without any of the loan signings joining - that's not to say I don't want at least Pearson and one if not both of Hoever and Sterling. I'm resigned to the fact that Smallbone and Tuanzebe won't be signing. |
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Post by march4 on Mar 15, 2023 0:34:13 GMT
We started improving when the last lot of loanees left.
And we are still improving.
At this rate we are going to be one of the best teams in the division by the end of the season.
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Post by wakeypotter on Mar 15, 2023 0:48:06 GMT
I’ve watched a stoke city game and at the end of it I’m smiling. Not only that but I’ve invested some emotion in the game. I even punched the sofa when no one got on the end of Campbell’s delicious late ball in to the box. For the first time in as long as I can remember I was actually invested in the game myself. I’d forgotten what it felt like. Hopefully the corner is well and truly turned. Just got back home after the game n I can’t stop smiling we were fantastic. This is all we need as fans something to shout about. I’m hoping these last few performances will start and get the crowds back. |
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Post by whatsashig on Mar 15, 2023 0:53:13 GMT
It’s good to see it in me own eyes even better se it on what can be a very pessimistic voice of fans opinion. Fook it might be a turning of a corner defined by Alan ball
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Post by leegthestokie90 on Mar 15, 2023 0:55:11 GMT
Totally agree get rid of tymon powell and clucas and start from there in summer and get smallbone pearson Hoever signed up if we can utmp
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Post by SamB_SCFC on Mar 15, 2023 5:58:45 GMT
I’m quite liking the fact that he’s ditched his stupid back 3 and his propensity to chop and change for no good reason. Consistent selection, a back 4 and going toe to toe with the opposition, whoever that may be, will always find favour from me. Brighton was a turning point for me even in defeat. I’m more than happy if he can continue to prove my fears about his suitability for our club were very Ill-founded. When it’s shit I’ll say it’s shit. When it’s good I’ll say it’s good. More than anything I just want to enjoy games. I really enjoyed that tonight. Interestingly I don’t recall you jumping to his defence The whole back 3 thing really fucks me off. Neil said he played it because people told him the squad was built for it. The presenter parroted that tonight. 1) have the balls to do it your own way 2) who are these people? They clearly know fuck all about football. The squad was absolutely not built for a back 3. Only an idiot would suggest it was. We had plenty of those on offer on here because it’s what the manager was doing and they can’t think for themselves. Makes me mad. Hallelujah thought that 1 has seemingly happened. Better late than never. The whole back 3 thing really fucks me off. Neil said he played it because people told him the squad was built for it. The presenter parroted that tonight. 1) have the balls to do it your own way 2) who are these people? They clearly know fuck all about football. The squad was absolutely not built for a back 3. Only an idiot would suggest it was. We had plenty of those on offer on here because it’s what the manager was doing and they can’t think for themselves. Makes me mad. Hallelujah thought that 1 has seemingly happened. Better late than never. Mr Delap O'Neill certainly tried to build a squad for a back 3 but failed miserably (or somehow thought that the players he'd signed would work in that system). Ironically in Hoever we now have a player who's probably capable of playing right wing back. But overall 4 at the back suits this squad far better and the club to be honest. I can't ever remember 3/5 at the back ever working at Stoke for more than a few games. It was the downfall of Hughes too. And I can remember us chanting '4-4-2' in the Gudjon days when his 5-3-2 wasn't working in the early 2000s. Delap being the person telling him that the squad was built for 3 at the back would certainly explain his sudden mid season departure and our sudden improvement since his departure. Although Alex Neil doesn't strike me as the kind of person who would stick with a failing system on the insistence of somebody else if he didn't believe it to be the right way himself so I don't fully subscribe to that theory. |
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Post by theonlooker on Mar 15, 2023 6:27:06 GMT
Absolutely no mention of your pathetic vendetta against the manager. Nobody has a vendetta against the manager, and people were justified to have a go at him not that long ago. We're doing well and it looks like we've turned a corner, so equally people are more than justified in expressing their happiness about it. It's quite simple, football fans will always react to what they see on the pitch. |
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Post by bayernoatcake on Mar 15, 2023 6:33:21 GMT
The whole back 3 thing really fucks me off. Neil said he played it because people told him the squad was built for it. The presenter parroted that tonight. 1) have the balls to do it your own way 2) who are these people? They clearly know fuck all about football. The squad was absolutely not built for a back 3. Only an idiot would suggest it was. We had plenty of those on offer on here because it’s what the manager was doing and they can’t think for themselves. Makes me mad. Hallelujah thought that 1 has seemingly happened. Better late than never. O'Neill certainly tried to build a squad for a back 3 but failed miserably (or somehow thought that the players he'd signed would work in that system). Ironically in Hoever we now have a player who's probably capable of playing right wing back. But overall 4 at the back suits this squad far better and the club to be honest. I can't ever remember 3/5 at the back ever working at Stoke for more than a few games. It was the downfall of Hughes too. And I can remember us chanting '4-4-2' in the Gudjon days when his 5-3-2 wasn't working in the early 2000s. Delap being the person telling him that the squad was built for 3 at the back would certainly explain his sudden mid season departure and our sudden improvement since his departure. Although Alex Neil doesn't strike me as the kind of person who would stick with a failing system on the insistence of somebody else if he didn't believe it to be the right way himself so I don't fully subscribe to that theory. If he was trying to do that he failed miserably as we kept pointing out. And that’s my point really, there was this grand delusion that it was suited to a back 3 when it quite clearly suited Tymon and no one else. Delap would make sense but like you I think Neil is fully culpable too. But also thank God he’s figured it out. |
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Post by xchpotter on Mar 15, 2023 6:44:41 GMT
Absolutely no mention of your pathetic vendetta against the manager. Nobody has a vendetta against the manager, and people were justified to have a go at him not that long ago. We're doing well and it looks like we've turned a corner, so equally people are more than justified in expressing their happiness about it. It's quite simple, football fans will always react to what they see on the pitch. Spot on. Always makes me chuckle when people criticise, before or during a game, a line up, formation or player (based upon good evidence from the performance) and then a positive result is achieved which then prompts multiple quoting of the person’s opinion saying you look like a tit now, hypocrite etc etc. The bottom line is that we have been poor for extended periods of the season, but now thankfully seem to have turned a corner. Fair play to AN and the players for doing this. As you state though, fans react to what they see. I guess the next thing we need to look out for is going to the extreme and thinking we have world beater superstars and avoid putting them on a pedestal.. We just need to be steady, not get too up and not get too down, but then that is the joy and curse in equal measure of being a football fan. I am starting to look forward with anticipation though, and that’s where it can get really painful 😂 |
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Post by svengaliinplatforms on Mar 15, 2023 6:54:19 GMT
Absolutely no mention of your pathetic vendetta against the manager. Nobody has a vendetta against the manager, and people were justified to have a go at him not that long ago. We're doing well and it looks like we've turned a corner, so equally people are more than justified in expressing their happiness about it. It's quite simple, football fans will always react to what they see on the pitch. They will. I think it was more the point that people were calling him 'wank', a 'terrible appointment', and generally bad-mouthing him, without giving him any real time to take stock, and put his own stamp on things. Some were maybe just disappointed that we didn't see a 10-game unbeaten 'new manager bounce'. You know, Football Manager stuff. MON left a pretty paltry squad, with no identity, and no clear structure - gaps everywhere, and a head-scratching jumble of players who seemed to suit different systems. Wank signings, all over the shop. I said that when Neil first got here, in his first training session, he might have looked at 10 of our squad and said 'not for me'...who knows? Even the fans had no time for the majority of our players at that stage. Alex Neil's still unpicking it all. The fact that we're starting to look decent, whilst very much still a work in progress, is really promising. |
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Post by alexanderinstone on Mar 15, 2023 7:23:39 GMT
Regarding the loan players AN wants to keep - money talks, and thanks to our fantastic owners, it seems we may have an abundance of it during the summer.
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Post by The Toxic Avenger on Mar 15, 2023 7:27:27 GMT
It’s the best football we’ve played since that first half-season under MON.
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