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Post by george2again on Dec 15, 2007 17:35:17 GMT
Even if we spend 3 mill come Jan we could get that back selling Fuller at the end of the season so lets get a right full back, centre mid , left winger and possibly a striker and give ourselves every chance for a change. An attitude of ' these lads are doing OK we don't need to spend ' will be our downfall. A decent spend will get us in the playoffs and what the hell possibly even in the top two this league is so even..Don't disappoint us !!
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Post by y_oh_y_delilah on Dec 15, 2007 18:08:16 GMT
Well George, it could be twenty or more years before we get a better chance!! There's only 24 league games (and 7 FA Cup  ) to go and an investment like you're suggesting could well do the trick. |
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Post by MarkWolstanton on Dec 15, 2007 18:16:04 GMT
It is how we invest that will make or break us.
Shawcross is a must one way or the other.
We then have to find a genuine pacey wide left player and a creative central midfielder who can get beyond the forwards.
It will be a crime if we chuck this position away with safe signings like a couple more defenders and a journey man hard working midfielder.
Add a bit to the side offensively to build on the solid base Pulis has created and we could be on for it.
Rudgies contact book needs to be working overtime on these essentials.
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Post by mark71 on Dec 15, 2007 18:22:05 GMT
Got to agree the next 6 or 7 weeks will be the biggest in Stoke's recent history.
It might be hard to take watching Stoke getting dicked in the prem week in week out ala Derby but it's the only way we'll be able to compete in the championship let alone the prem.
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Post by serpico on Dec 15, 2007 18:25:47 GMT
watford are rocking and with a home win against the Baggies we could be in a great position, spend a few quid in jan to strengthen the squad and we will be in with a great shout for at least a play off place.
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Post by stayingupfor Sexualchocolate on Dec 15, 2007 18:30:10 GMT
I agree with all of that..you have to speculate to accumulate Mr Coates
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Post by MilanStokie on Dec 15, 2007 18:41:27 GMT
Hmmmm
Right back and Left Midfield. 2 Spots that I think we have plenty of cover for...
Right back - Wilkinson, Wright, Zakuani, Delap, De Laet - Even Dicko can play there.
Left Midfield - Pugh, Cresswell, Phillips.
I think Wilko is a sound right back who does not need replacing. Dropping him out of the squad would be a disaster imo. And it just goes to think that how lucky we are now that we didn't sell him to Blackpool earlier in the season.
Now positions I think need covering are: Centre back, making sure either Shawcross or Zakuani, or both stay put and securing Corts signature.
A central playmaker. Eustace isnt the player he was. Whelan would do very nicely. I would like to see a right winger aswell to. If not a central midfield then a right midfielder which may allow Lawrence to move into the middle.
An extra striker as Pericard isn't up to the task, Sidibe is going for 2 months. That leaves us with a problem.
IMO we only need to purchase 1 new player. Central/Right Midfielder or indeed both. I think a nice loan for a young premiership striker would be best suited. Keeping Shawcross and Zakuani is a must. Securing Pugh and Cort is another must.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2007 18:44:26 GMT
Too right
has Pulis embarressed Coates to the extent we all hope he has ?
theres' no excuses now - will we ever get a better chance ?
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Post by TheWiseMaster on Dec 15, 2007 18:48:55 GMT
For once I agree with MW!  We need pace out wide and the left side is the obvious position. That would free Cresswell to challenge Sidebe and Fuller for a strikers role The creative midfielder to play in front of Diao could turn us into a top two team |
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Post by MarkWolstanton on Dec 16, 2007 0:29:27 GMT
Too right has Pulis embarressed Coates to the extent we all hope he has ? You have to laugh. When an expensive centre half is purchased, St Peter has been "embarressed". Whan a lack of creativity occurs for season after season, St Peter is being a tight wad! |
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Post by Somebody_Told_Me on Dec 16, 2007 0:48:37 GMT
I must agree, 20 years of watching stoke and this is probably the first time that I've thought we could be the ones to win it. And to think we would be here at the start of the season.
A bit of luck, and a few players that would compliment squad and who knows?
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Post by tijuanabrass on Dec 16, 2007 2:06:09 GMT
From this position they should be using January to start constructing a team for the next 18 months to 3 years.
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) to go and an investment like you're suggesting could well do the trick.
