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Post by stokie1 on Jul 6, 2023 2:07:06 GMT
At this stage in a pre-season have we ever had a worse playing squad? I remember before the 1984/85 season we were very weak. That turned out to be a record breaking season for all the wrong reasons. This is a high risk strategy that is being taken to gamble on being able to recruit 10+ players in the few weeks we have left before the season starts. Not to mention the back room staff. Hopefully Alex Neal is a genius or this could all end very badly. Is there a plan? Hard to see it.
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Post by thevoid on Jul 6, 2023 5:23:15 GMT
Careful, you'll be accused of bed wetting rather than being someone concerned by the overall trajectory of your football club over seven years and counting
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Post by questionable on Jul 6, 2023 5:35:45 GMT
It’s looking extremely grim indeed, AN at this rate is taking training with two five a side teams at the very best plus there’s no training team as such and at the same time trying to get players in the door by a non existent transfer team.
What possibly could go wrong
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Post by theonlooker on Jul 6, 2023 5:57:29 GMT
We need another 4 or 5 in by Monday IMO else the trip to Spain might aswell be cancelled, and those 5 or 6 need to be the bedrock of the squad going forwards.
No good going to Spain with a shadow squad full of kids. Expensive, pointless exercise.
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Post by robrigo on Jul 6, 2023 5:59:22 GMT
We need another 4 or 5 in by Monday IMO else the trip to Spain might aswell be cancelled, and those 5 or 6 need to be the bedrock of the squad going forwards. No good going to Spain with a shadow squad full of kids. Expensive, pointless exercise. Absolutely. There’s some work to do before Spain. |
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Post by scfcno1fan on Jul 6, 2023 6:02:27 GMT
We need another 4 or 5 in by Monday IMO else the trip to Spain might aswell be cancelled, and those 5 or 6 need to be the bedrock of the squad going forwards. No good going to Spain with a shadow squad full of kids. Expensive, pointless exercise. I’ll go for zero in by Monday. |
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Post by thevoid on Jul 6, 2023 6:04:28 GMT
We need another 4 or 5 in by Monday IMO else the trip to Spain might aswell be cancelled, and those 5 or 6 need to be the bedrock of the squad going forwards. No good going to Spain with a shadow squad full of kids. Expensive, pointless exercise. Especially given the clamour over the environment and fuel emissions. Might as well just play Leek or Kidsgrove. There were more people travelling to Spain for my stag do five years ago 😃 |
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Jul 6, 2023 6:16:44 GMT
We need another 4 or 5 in by Monday IMO else the trip to Spain might aswell be cancelled, and those 5 or 6 need to be the bedrock of the squad going forwards. No good going to Spain with a shadow squad full of kids. Expensive, pointless exercise. Especially given the clamour over the environment and fuel emissions. Might as well just play Leek or Kidsgrove. There were more people travelling to Spain for my stag do five years ago 😃 All those other people on the plane don’t count as your friends you know😉 |
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Post by theonlooker on Jul 6, 2023 6:22:37 GMT
We need another 4 or 5 in by Monday IMO else the trip to Spain might aswell be cancelled, and those 5 or 6 need to be the bedrock of the squad going forwards. No good going to Spain with a shadow squad full of kids. Expensive, pointless exercise. I’ll go for zero in by Monday. I think we'll get a few more in by then but whether they are key squad members or peripheral figures and whether it's anywhere near close to where it needs to be in terms of numbers I'm not sure. Pre Season trips are all about bonding a new squad together and with us needing pretty much an entire new squad it would be perfect if we could cobble together a squad approaching something like. My concern is a slow start because of squad gelling, coupled with a deathly October fixture list, could see a manager under huge pressure going into the start of the sacking season of November onwards, and this club having to start a completely new rebuild again under a different manager and his mate. Of course it might not get to that... |
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Post by wakefieldstokie on Jul 6, 2023 6:42:30 GMT
The squad numbers will happen, the concern is the quality as the panic buying is sure to kick in as the days and weeks pass before the first league game.
We might get great players, at the moment though it looks like it will be more of a ‘quick fill the squad’ approach.
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Post by FullerMagic on Jul 6, 2023 6:48:51 GMT
Suppose the Spain trip will be of some limited value. Good experience for the u21s etc. But when you just mentally calculate how many of these players will be starting games for us over the next 12 months, you don't need all your fingers
Even amongst the 'senior' players, there are big questions about Edwards, Tymon, Taylor, Thompson, Baker, Gayle and DWP
Bonham, Fielding
Blondy, Simkin
Edwards
Stevens, Tymon
Wilmot, Taylor
Badley-Morgan, Okagbue, M. Baker
Thompson, Laurent , L. Baker
Griffiths, Sparrow, Kershaw, Singh
Campbell, Brown, Gayle, DWP
Tezgel, Lowe, McGuinness, Reddin, Andersson
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Post by jonnybravo on Jul 6, 2023 6:50:03 GMT
OK then let's go buy any Tom dick or Harry like we did in January and hope they play well as a team
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Post by scfcno1fan on Jul 6, 2023 7:00:44 GMT
Suppose the Spain trip will be of some limited value. Good experience for the u21s etc. But when you just mentally calculate how many of these players will be starting games for us over the next 12 months, you don't need all your fingers Even amongst the 'senior' players, there are big questions about Edwards, Tymon, Taylor, Thompson, Baker, Gayle and DWP Bonham, FieldingBlondy, Simkin EdwardsStevens, TymonWilmot, Taylor Badley-Morgan, Okagbue, M. Baker Thompson, Laurent , L. BakerGriffiths, Sparrow, Kershaw, Singh Campbell, Brown, Gayle, DWPTezgel, Lowe, McGuinness, Reddin, Andersson I keep forgetting we’ve got pretty much no centre backs. Is Wilmot even fit? |
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Post by boskampsflaps on Jul 6, 2023 7:02:22 GMT
I still think we'll get a couple in before the trip given the sudden influx of rumors, yes it would have been better to get as many in as possible but the quality of the players matters, we could probably have raided non league and got 10+ players in in the first week if we wanted but they wouldn't be the quality we need, personally I'm fine if it takes a little longer to get the best players possible through the door.
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Post by The Toxic Avenger on Jul 6, 2023 7:08:33 GMT
At this stage in a pre-season have we ever had a worse playing squad? I remember before the 1984/85 season we were very weak. That turned out to be a record breaking season for all the wrong reasons. This is a high risk strategy that is being taken to gamble on being able to recruit 10+ players in the few weeks we have left before the season starts. Not to mention the back room staff. Hopefully Alex Neal is a genius or this could all end very badly. Is there a plan? Hard to see it. There's still loads of time left. |
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Post by FullerMagic on Jul 6, 2023 7:09:19 GMT
Suppose the Spain trip will be of some limited value. Good experience for the u21s etc. But when you just mentally calculate how many of these players will be starting games for us over the next 12 months, you don't need all your fingers Even amongst the 'senior' players, there are big questions about Edwards, Tymon, Taylor, Thompson, Baker, Gayle and DWP Bonham, FieldingBlondy, Simkin EdwardsStevens, TymonWilmot, Taylor Badley-Morgan, Okagbue, M. Baker Thompson, Laurent , L. BakerGriffiths, Sparrow, Kershaw, Singh Campbell, Brown, Gayle, DWPTezgel, Lowe, McGuinness, Reddin, Andersson I keep forgetting we’ve got pretty much no centre backs. Is Wilmot even fit? He appears to be. He was pictured back on the first day. And talked positively in the Sentinel www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/stoke-city-transfer-ben-wilmot-8574280 |
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Post by johnnysoul60 on Jul 6, 2023 7:09:51 GMT
I think for all the big talk at the end of last season they have misjudged the market at its proving tougher than they expected to get the players in they want , certainly expected Pearson and a Keeper by now and Im a miserable bastard . It is going to be a real test I sense but the right players should hopefully keep us clear of relegation
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Post by felonious on Jul 6, 2023 7:10:46 GMT
Especially given the clamour over the environment and fuel emissions. Might as well just play Leek or Kidsgrove. There were more people travelling to Spain for my stag do five years ago 😃 All those other people on the plane don’t count as your friends you know😉 Deserves it's own thread, how much would Voidy have to pay you to go on his stag do  |
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Post by FullerMagic on Jul 6, 2023 7:12:25 GMT
www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/stoke-city-transfer-news-gossip-8578344there’s the middle group of players around their prime years who are going to be the major signings for the here and now, the spine of the team. The message at the moment is that Stoke have got to hold their nerve and be patient to get the right players in that category. These are the kind of players who stand a chance or think they stand a chance of getting a deal in the bottom half of the Premier League. Unfortunately, given Stoke’s place in the food chain at the moment, you just have to wait that out. Stoke could fill the squad this week but, after so much work clearing the decks, there is no point filling it with players who are of a similar calibre to the ones who have left. This is a massive, rare opportunity to make a real change. It means a nervous time for the rest of us but Stoke have to break this cycle. They’ve had five years in the bottom half of the Championship and if it takes up to deadline day to put together a squad which can be significantly better than what they’ve had, that’s the risk they’ve got to take.
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Post by scfcno1fan on Jul 6, 2023 7:14:49 GMT
www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/stoke-city-transfer-news-gossip-8578344there’s the middle group of players around their prime years who are going to be the major signings for the here and now, the spine of the team. The message at the moment is that Stoke have got to hold their nerve and be patient to get the right players in that category. These are the kind of players who stand a chance or think they stand a chance of getting a deal in the bottom half of the Premier League. Unfortunately, given Stoke’s place in the food chain at the moment, you just have to wait that out. Stoke could fill the squad this week but, after so much work clearing the decks, there is no point filling it with players who are of a similar calibre to the ones who have left. This is a massive, rare opportunity to make a real change. It means a nervous time for the rest of us but Stoke have to break this cycle. They’ve had five years in the bottom half of the Championship and if it takes up to deadline day to put together a squad which can be significantly better than what they’ve had, that’s the risk they’ve got to take. I mean it makes sense but it’s definitely a risky strategy. Could mean a slow start to the season, not even get the players, then where would we be? Be interesting to see how it all unfolds. |
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Post by jay1610 on Jul 6, 2023 7:15:05 GMT
Not panicking, yet.
But it does seem concerning that, despite “knowing the personnel” we want to bring in, so little has happened so far.
Loads to do, which doesn’t bode that well for the decent start the manager needs to keep the fans onside.
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Post by sportsman on Jul 6, 2023 7:15:08 GMT
www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/stoke-city-transfer-news-gossip-8578344there’s the middle group of players around their prime years who are going to be the major signings for the here and now, the spine of the team. The message at the moment is that Stoke have got to hold their nerve and be patient to get the right players in that category. These are the kind of players who stand a chance or think they stand a chance of getting a deal in the bottom half of the Premier League. Unfortunately, given Stoke’s place in the food chain at the moment, you just have to wait that out. Stoke could fill the squad this week but, after so much work clearing the decks, there is no point filling it with players who are of a similar calibre to the ones who have left. This is a massive, rare opportunity to make a real change. It means a nervous time for the rest of us but Stoke have to break this cycle. They’ve had five years in the bottom half of the Championship and if it takes up to deadline day to put together a squad which can be significantly better than what they’ve had, that’s the risk they’ve got to take. Try telling that to the impatient buggers on here. Some just don't get it. |
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Post by foster on Jul 6, 2023 7:17:57 GMT
Suppose the Spain trip will be of some limited value. Good experience for the u21s etc. But when you just mentally calculate how many of these players will be starting games for us over the next 12 months, you don't need all your fingers Even amongst the 'senior' players, there are big questions about Edwards, Tymon, Taylor, Thompson, Baker, Gayle and DWP Bonham, FieldingBlondy, Simkin EdwardsStevens, TymonWilmot, Taylor Badley-Morgan, Okagbue, M. Baker Thompson, Laurent , L. BakerGriffiths, Sparrow, Kershaw, Singh Campbell, Brown, Gayle, DWPTezgel, Lowe, McGuinness, Reddin, Andersson I keep forgetting we’ve got pretty much no centre backs. Is Wilmot even fit? I reckon he's average, but certainly better looking since he cut his hair. |
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Post by walrus on Jul 6, 2023 7:18:26 GMT
There’s a 252 page thread on this exact topic already.
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Post by foster on Jul 6, 2023 7:21:31 GMT
There’s a 252 page thread on this exact topic already. Not really... this one is a great place for people to complain about transfers and where they perceive the club to be heading. The other is by it's name specifically for transfer news and updates. Not that people can't post whatever they want on either. |
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Post by Laughing Gravy on Jul 6, 2023 7:25:16 GMT
All those other people on the plane don’t count as your friends you know😉 Deserves it's own thread, how much would Voidy have to pay you to go on his stag do I don’t know what you mean. He always comes across as such a bundle of laughs. |
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Post by LGH87 on Jul 6, 2023 7:25:53 GMT
I think we're putting to much emphasis on this trip to Spain, there's teams already on or had their trips abroad, they haven't signed many either. Granted they may not need 10/12 like we do.
Pulis and Austria is a great comparison though, we'd go there hardly with any new faces then by the window he'd have signed 8/9, most on deadline day haha.
It's not ideal but it's not going to make or break our season.
What will make or break the season is getting the right players in. Pete Smith is bang on with what he says in the sentinel a few posts above this one.
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Post by StokieNath on Jul 6, 2023 7:26:50 GMT
Can understand the concern but no need to panic yet, you can tell we are trying for players who will improve us.
Quality over quantity.
Start panicking 4th of August.
No need yet.
We are going up this season I’m telling you all
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Post by greystokie on Jul 6, 2023 7:31:24 GMT
At this stage in a pre-season have we ever had a worse playing squad? I remember before the 1984/85 season we were very weak. That turned out to be a record breaking season for all the wrong reasons. This is a high risk strategy that is being taken to gamble on being able to recruit 10+ players in the few weeks we have left before the season starts. Not to mention the back room staff. Hopefully Alex Neal is a genius or this could all end very badly. Is there a plan? Hard to see it. I've read a lot of postings like this over the last few weeks. Few if any of them have come up with an alternative strategy. What would a different approach to that taken look like? Which of the players allowed to leave would you have retained and in what way would keeping them improve on the teams performances of previous seasons? The poster above can't see a plan, to me it's obvious: recruit a set of players that fit AN's vision of how he wants his team to play. That's not going to happen overnight. It's not going to happen in one transfer window, probably not even in one season. It's going to take time to recruit the right players rather than just any available players. Most, if not all, of those we are chasing will have alternative options to consider and some of them will choose to leave the decision till as late as possible and then decide that Stoke is not for them. We have to accept that. I agree it's a risky strategy and might indeed fail but unless you're prepared to endure more of the football we've suffered for the last 5 years I see no alternative. |
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Post by terrorofturfmoor on Jul 6, 2023 7:35:25 GMT
A little PR from the club would go a long way!!!
Fans will quite rightly start to get a little twitchy the longer the silence continues!!!
We're not asking for names, just a little update now and then of what's going on in the background.... Days are now turning to weeks, and the silence coming from the club is deafening!!!
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