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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2007 14:37:23 GMT
I suppose the only lingering doubt has been attendances which, have continued to be disappointing.
They are showing signs of picking up though so, even from that perspective, little or no excuse.
As for the management and teams performance so far, its nothing short of remarkable. Even the cowardly and despicable 'knockers' have all but evaporated as points and league position now roll over any feeble lingering argument they might have had.
What it now means in stark terms though is this: whereas even last season, there were excuses for not pushing the boat out in january -this season there are none - none at all.
And, with all the infrastructure improvements already made, i.e. a secure and re equipped training ground, recapture of full stadium ownership by the club - it would be utter madness to stop investing now.
surely ?
Id like to think Tony Pulis already has his targets well and truly marked and negotiations already well underway, not only for those we already have as loanees, but also for the extra two or three signings its blindingly obvious we need, if only to freshen things up, give cover or even, a gentle kick up the arse where needed (Djao for Delap certainly seems to have worked from what Ive read)
So there it is - no excuses this time Peter and co - NO EXCUSES AT ALL !
AND tHEN, EVEN THE FICKLE HOME CROWD WILL NOW SURELY FOLLOW !
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Post by stokecityscott on Dec 28, 2007 14:38:28 GMT
We have a short list drawn up, according to Pulis, so we must have some players with bids ready to go in for them  |
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Post by MrMagic on Dec 28, 2007 14:47:19 GMT
is that a shortlist or a short list?
Tony - I think that attendancies will continue to be disappointing regardless. I just cannot see us pulling much more than 18,500 regularly even in the Prem. I could be way off the mark, but if you look at Bolton, Fulham, Wigan none really sell out. Derby have done, but we'd be unlikely to.
The board do need to back Tony, you are right. I'm still not convinced that he isn't complicit in the failure to strengthen situation though.
lets see what the next 4 weeks bring
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2007 14:50:19 GMT
I would like to think the money we took in and didnt spend last summer, is still there plus -the wage bill to date cant have been anything like it was last season -and we are in a slightly better league position - on amuch lower spend
time to invest - and invest again -surely ????
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Post by MrMagic on Dec 28, 2007 14:54:25 GMT
Yes. However, I reckon that being a bit of a careful and shrewd fella, he will try to get promotion as cheeply as possible, leaving him more funds to strengthen once we are up.
If he pulls it off, and keeps us up, he will get the keys to the city for life. It's a big gamble though.
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Post by MarkWolstanton on Dec 28, 2007 14:59:35 GMT
I cannot for the life of me understand why we keep banging down this line.
The money to strengthen is clearly there and has been since the end of last season.
Everyone from the Chairman through to the tea lady and including the Manager tell us this.
Why do people insist on trotting out time after time the "lets hope poor old Tone gets the support he deserves" story?
Biggest budget in the club's history. Everyone at the club agrees this fact. We are attracting players from high salary paying clubs with years left on their contracts for pretty decent transfer money (e.g. £1.2m).
The only worry is how we spend it.
Will we actually find the type of players that are obviously lacking which we failed so miserably to do throughout the entire summer?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2007 15:01:58 GMT
I for one will believe it when we actually have new players stood in the ground waving scarves at the press - until then, anybody has a right to express worries and concern
this IS Peter Coates we are talking about you know !
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Post by Do it for dobing on Dec 28, 2007 15:22:14 GMT
The fact is Peter Coates has invested hugely this time round has made his intentions clear he wants Stoke City back in the top league.He is backing the manager completely
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Post by gibby1409 on Dec 28, 2007 16:27:20 GMT
I don't thinks it's just a question of the Board going for it. It's now time that everybody connected with the club, the Board, Manager, Players, and all the other people who can influence things at the club, should really go for the big push to get us promotion. This isn't just about more signings and more money. it's also about improving systems, procedures and peoples perception of the club, this WILL help to attract better players to the club.
It also applies to us the Fans, we should get right behind the Team (The Support Has Been Magnificient Recently!!) We can make the Brit a place to be feared! We can encourage the "Floaters" to attend, we all know some people who follow from afar, so lets persuade them to get down the Brit more often.
Remember how many went to Cardiff, if we could attract 10% of the extra fans who attended that day, we would put 2 to 3000 extra on the gate. I realise Football isn't a cheap hobby to follow, but Stokes prices are as cheap as they come.
We are on the march, and a Club who is definately on the up, you can sense it, but let's all play our part in this. I've followed us for 35 years, and I've not been this excited about our chances for many years.
Goaaarnn Stoke ;D
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Post by bogus on Dec 28, 2007 16:58:49 GMT
I don't thinks it's just a question of the Board going for it. It's now time that everybody connected with the club, the Board, Manager, Players, and all the other people who can influence things at the club, should really go for the big push to get us promotion. This isn't just about more signings and more money. it's also about improving systems, procedures and peoples perception of the club, this WILL help to attract better players to the club. It also applies to us the Fans, we should get right behind the Team (The Support Has Been Magnificient Recently!!) We can make the Brit a place to be feared! We can encourage the "Floaters" to attend, we all know some people who follow from afar, so lets persuade them to get down the Brit more often. Remember how many went to Cardiff, if we could attract 10% of the extra fans who attended that day, we would put 2 to 3000 extra on the gate. I realise Football isn't a cheap hobby to follow, but Stokes prices are as cheap as they come. We are on the march, and a Club who is definately on the up, you can sense it, but let's all play our part in this. I've followed us for 35 years, and I've not been this excited about our chances for many years. Goaaarnn Stoke ;D Well said gibby, have some Karma |
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Post by gibby1409 on Dec 28, 2007 17:10:00 GMT
Cheers Bogus ;D I can't wait for each game to come round at the moment! Everything feels right, but I guess this our beloved Stoke City we are talking about  |
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Post by sheikhmomo on Dec 28, 2007 17:41:12 GMT
To be fair Mark, you yourself were saying well after the start of the season you were waiting to see where the blame was for our lack of activity. Although all stakeholders agreed a good budget was in place we were still missing out on easily achievable targets. (Billy Jones for example)
Of course you're right it does seem to be that a substantial budget has always been available but it didn't always seem the case and the statement by Scholes, that we have a record transfer budget plus ALL revenues from outgoing sales, remains a highly dubious proposition.
I still lean towards the explanation that Pulis and Scholes had severe problems in working together (perhaps still do) but Coates has banged their heads together.
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Post by mumf14 on Dec 28, 2007 17:50:04 GMT
Not so much as 'banged their heads together',but as is more likely Peter Coates told Scholes to tow the line....
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