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Post by andyk on Oct 5, 2008 22:18:17 GMT
...is, I believe, that one player who can make something out of nothing, even when things are looking bad. Giovanni is a perfect example. These players can change the course of matches.
Someone wisely posted back in August that although we signed so many players, when it came down to it the 3 players of GENUINE quality that we tried to sign, Zigic, Carson and Ledley, we failed in our bids for. It could be that these were very costly mistakes. Another problem is that the player we were really relying on more than any other - Kitson - hasn't delivered the goods, either because of our tactics or his own failings (my own opinion is that it's both of these things in equal measure).
For the very first time, I am beginning to think that TP has made serious mistakes in the transfer market, in his summer signings. He concentrated too much on defence, his midfield signings have looked weak and/or smacked too much of last minute desperation, and the failure of his his key striker has left us without a plan B in that department; if it wasn't for Sidibe (to his credit) raising his game to previously unseen levels, we'd be in even greater shit than we are now, imho.
HOWEVER, we need to stop and think for a moment and remind ourselves that we, Stoke City FC, are in the PREMIER LEAGUE! Who on earth would have thought that even remotely possible a couple of years ago?? And there are, in my opinion, very few, if any, other managers than TP who could have made this happen within the timescale that he has. I was seriously resigned to us NEVER AGAIN regaining our former status when he returned a couple of years ago, so to think that we are where we are now is TRULY amazing. And we should be reminding ourselves that EVERY TIME, so far, that the chips have been down, TP has come up with the right answers to the problem, and that we should, therefore, give him every opportunity to do so again.
It is my sincere belief that TP will assess the situation carefully and accurately, and rectify his previous mistakes with his transfer dealings in January. Whether or not this will be enough to save us remains to be seen, but I'm highly confident that, regardless of what happens between now and January, our performances will improve greatly after that period - IF we have the patience to let Pulis get on with the job, which, I absolutely believe, we should do. This is his first ever season in the top flight, and he has MORE THAN EARNED his right to make some initial mistakes without fear of losing his job before he gets the chance to rectify them.
Remember, even if we fail this season, we will STILL have succeeded. We'll return to the Championship better off financially, with better players, a higher profile and, most importantly of all (in my opinion), with a real belief which those of us who've been around for the last couple of decades or more had thought we'd lost for ever, that this football club CAN make it to the highest level. This in turn will give the club a renewed level of enthusiastic support which we might have lost for ever if we hadn't got here in the first place.
So, although it's difficult at times, I urge all Stokies to keep a positive view on things - because things are FAR better than they could have been - and hope that TP will turn things around as the season goes on. Our future is STILL, I believe, far more rosy than it has been for a very long time, and we should, despite recent setbacks, be able to look forward to it with a relish.
Andy
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Post by Titan Uranus on Oct 5, 2008 22:27:10 GMT
With all due respect....
we all knew that he had made mistakes in the summer
six centre-halves and an army of central midfielders
christ on a bike
pace, wide players, creativity.
the bloke's out of his depth ... big style
send for Sam
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Post by tazi on Oct 5, 2008 22:31:26 GMT
Missing both a left and right winger that posseses pace. Lawrence should be moved to central midfield because he just cannot/will not hack it out on the right because he has no pace and cannot beat a man. If you look at Liam's assists then you will notice that a large majority come from when he drifts in a central midfield position.
Soares should be on the right and Tonge should be given a licence to roam with Delap mopping up in front of a back four.
Higginbothom should be in central defence partnering Faye with both Wilkinson and Dickinson as full backs.
Kitson as our main striker with Fuller roaming wherever suits him best because he is capable in pulling the impossible out of the bag.
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Post by daverichards on Oct 5, 2008 22:31:58 GMT
Goals , and clean sheets , in its simplist terms
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Post by andyk on Oct 5, 2008 23:16:33 GMT
Archiesdad, I know mistakes have been made but I don't believe TP is out of his depth, and will prove his worth as a Premier League manager as time goes on. What he doesn't need is the distraction of people calling for a change of manager while he's trying to put things right. Remember, Derby sacked their manager while in a similar situation and it turned out to be a completely useless move.
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Post by JoeinOz on Oct 5, 2008 23:22:43 GMT
Derby sacked their manager while in a similar situation and it turned out to be a completely useless move.
I think Billy Davies realised just how bad it was going to get and didn't want his name to be associated with it so talked himself into the sack.
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Post by hanibal7 on Oct 6, 2008 2:13:50 GMT
We are the only team in the premiership who do not have quick wide players,but some of you are mistaken about saying we have no right or left wing.In this standard of football the wingers are now called wing backs.can you imagine higgy and griggin taking on defenders and going to the by line for crosses.this is our big problem because all other teams attack with pacy full backs.many of our problems yesterday was overlapping full backs.how many times did campbell sweep up on the full back positions when their backs had attacked.
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Post by Titan Uranus on Oct 6, 2008 7:47:20 GMT
There's a young kiddie called Hoefkens( promising attacking full-back) at West Brom who can't get a game at the moment. Perhaps we should have a look at him in the January window.
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Post by bigvern on Oct 6, 2008 7:59:08 GMT
What we're missing is a striker, a playmaker, 2 pacey wingers, 2 full backs and a keeper who commands the 18 yard box but apart from that we're fine.
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Post by starkiller on Oct 6, 2008 8:40:43 GMT
There are many things missing but one thing we definitely need is BELIEF we can win.
This MUST come from Pulis. Let's focus attention on the oppositions weak spots not how great they are.
We must attempt to dictate the pace not let the opposition have it all their own way.
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Post by plasticbaggie on Oct 6, 2008 9:11:09 GMT
"There's a young kiddie called Hoefkens( promising attacking full-back) at West Brom who can't get a game at the moment. Perhaps we should have a look at him in the January window."
Why would you want a player who can't get a place in another struggling team?
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Post by Titan Uranus on Oct 6, 2008 9:17:25 GMT
Wish we were struggling in 9th position.  |
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Post by plasticbaggie on Oct 6, 2008 9:24:14 GMT
Wish we were struggling in 9th position. [/quote] We'll struggle, so will Hull. |
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Post by Bick on Oct 6, 2008 10:33:31 GMT
Missing both a left and right winger that posseses pace. Lawrence should be moved to central midfield because he just cannot/will not hack it out on the right because he has no pace and cannot beat a man. If you look at Liam's assists then you will notice that a large majority come from when he drifts in a central midfield position. Soares should be on the right and Tonge should be given a licence to roam with Delap mopping up in front of a back four. Higginbothom should be in central defence partnering Faye with both Wilkinson and Dickinson as full backs. Kitson as our main striker with Fuller roaming wherever suits him best because he is capable in pulling the impossible out of the bag. Nice ideas  |
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Post by andyk on Apr 5, 2009 21:19:58 GMT
For the very first time, I am beginning to think that TP has made serious mistakes in the transfer market, in his summer signings. He concentrated too much on defence, his midfield signings have looked weak and/or smacked too much of last minute desperation, and the failure of his his key striker has left us without a plan B in that department; if it wasn't for Sidibe (to his credit) raising his game to previously unseen levels, we'd be in even greater shit than we are now, imho. HOWEVER, we need to stop and think for a moment and remind ourselves that we, Stoke City FC, are in the PREMIER LEAGUE! Who on earth would have thought that even remotely possible a couple of years ago?? And there are, in my opinion, very few, if any, other managers than TP who could have made this happen within the timescale that he has. I was seriously resigned to us NEVER AGAIN regaining our former status when he returned a couple of years ago, so to think that we are where we are now is TRULY amazing. And we should be reminding ourselves that EVERY TIME, so far, that the chips have been down, TP has come up with the right answers to the problem, and that we should, therefore, give him every opportunity to do so again. It is my sincere belief that TP will assess the situation carefully and accurately, and rectify his previous mistakes with his transfer dealings in January. Whether or not this will be enough to save us remains to be seen, but I'm highly confident that, regardless of what happens between now and January, our performances will improve greatly after that period - IF we have the patience to let Pulis get on with the job, which, I absolutely believe, we should do. This is his first ever season in the top flight, and he has MORE THAN EARNED his right to make some initial mistakes without fear of losing his job before he gets the chance to rectify them. So, although it's difficult at times, I urge all Stokies to keep a positive view on things - because things are FAR better than they could have been - and hope that TP will turn things around as the season goes on. Our future is STILL, I believe, far more rosy than it has been for a very long time, and we should, despite recent setbacks, be able to look forward to it with a relish. Andy Hmmmm, not that I have ever been one for blowing my own trumpet, but...  |
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Post by nathan on Apr 5, 2009 21:23:36 GMT
Calculating use of the quoting function, Andy. It hasn't escaped my notice you've omitted the bit where you referred to Carson as a player of "genuine quality". |
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Post by andyk on Apr 5, 2009 21:26:54 GMT
Yes, for some unfathomable reason the modify facility isn't available after 6 months |
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