Could we do a Reading?

[Onneravineet]

I'm not getting ahead of myself so don't shoot me down.. please

But.

If we are to gain promotion do you think we could do a Reading?

Similar organisational skills to Coppell, similar size club too.

They had a couple of gems already in the squad the promotion year and with our potential signings and gems I wouldn't think it beyond our capabilities?

[ben88]

we are a bag of precious gems

[Stick It On Cort's Head]

they went unbeaten in 45 games

Were not going to do a reading,the best we can hope for is that we can do a "watford"

[StokieSC]

I think we would be more like a Reading than a Derby. I hope.

[lordb]

can we worry about this in June

[Somebody_Told_Me]

we might, we might not, it's good just to have hope!

[Pretty Little Boother]

I've got a feeling that it would be like the alamo all season, with our backs against the wall, never EVER playing for a win but using TP's style of stopping anyone else from scoring against us.

AT the end of the season, we'll have 0 goals for and 0 goals against! ;D

[stayingupfor GermanStokie]

Mmmmm..... and 38 points!!!!

[mark71]

Mmmmm..... and 38 points!!!!

I'd settle for that ;D

[robin1302]

doubt they went unbeaten for 45 games! thats almost a full season!

[mermaidsal]

Think we'd be more of a Bolton than a Reading, ok they can battle and they've got superb team spirit, and a great manager, but tbh we haven't got the same kind of flair Coppell teams have... well not yet, anyhow...

[gibby1409]

Sal

I think we are bringing more & more flair players in, and there will be more to come

We are building up at a similar pace to Reading, and I am convinced this is the way, we are not over commiting with payments, and even though we all get frustrated by a pecieved lack of progress, we are a hundred times better club than the one Ade saved with that header (Against Reading!)

Goaaaarn Stoke ;D

[RAF]

As it happened Ade's goal didn't matter, the other game went for us anyway.

H

[gibby1409]

Quite Right RAF ;D (Nail On Head ;D)

Felt like it mattered though!

Getting back to the Reading comparrison, I think this is realistic, and I've been talking to a couple of Stokies I work with and saying this for a while (Probably to Convince Myself that No Players Coming In Was Building For The Long Term ;D)

Now players are arriving, and I think they are improving us once they have settled in, andwe seem to have a real momentum building.

[RAF]

Yeah you are right of course, I was shitting myself until Ade scored, because there was just that chance the other game could go against us. It was Grimsby if I remember rightly.

As for the Reading comparison, the difference is 4 odd years ago Madjeski was willing to pay 1 million pounds for the likes of Lita and pay him well.
Coates has to realise if he wants to stay in the Prem he will have to pay the going rate as Madjeski found out quickly, fortunately he has a manager that knows how to select players from lower leagues and bring them on.
That is something that TP clearly can't or won't do.

H

[gibby1409]

Do you think we are just four years behind Reading in terms of development because of the political bollocks that has gone on?

Coates was never going to invest in the early days like he appears to be doing now, he has seen off the Icelanders, and stepped in. Sign of a good business man, but it has pissed off most of us, because of the shenanigans that have hampered the club throughout this period.

You are spot on about TP bringing in players from the lower leagues, it does appear to be a problem, but I can understand his logic when bringing in tried & proven players. Maybe Demar & De Laet are the start of "Unproven" players coming in, You could argue that Shawcross was/is in this bracket?

It's still Fookin good to actually count the days until the next match though, I've not done that since I was a kid in the 70's ;D

[Block 26]

Let's worry about this in Junee. ;D

[mermaidsal]

gibby, you're right about the lost time but I don't think it'll take us four years to catch up, two max I'd say.

But then a few weeks ago I thought we wouldn't be ready to go up this season and needed at least one more to consolidate, whereas now I've joined the wild and crazy optimists who honestly believe we'll get there this year.

[RAF]

So Sal you reckon we will be consolidating our position in the Premiership in 2 years?
I admire your confidence.
I very much doubt it, but hey I'm all for it!

H

[gibby1409]

I hope so Sal ;D

I'm really enjoying being a Stokie nowadays, and actually go to most games sober!

We could really do it this year, automatic is there for the taking, but i'd settle for a day out at Wembley and Liam winning it in the 88th with a peno!!

[Pretty Little Boother]

I really want to go to Wembley but I really don't want to risk losing. God, it's difficult being a Stokie these days, innit? ;D

[gibby1409]

Boother

If you could guarantee winning the final, then up via the play-off's is the way!!

The day out at Cardiff was the best Football day ouy I've ever had.

Don't know whether the blood pressure would hold up though

[Pretty Little Boother]

Yes Gibby, the glory of winning and the compulsory all-day drinking sesh and the hundreds of packed coaches and red and white shirts lining the streets of London... ;D

Much better than automatic promotion, you don't get the day out then!

But going home after a loss would be unbearable I reckon Still, we've got a good Wembley record!

[Onneravineet]

Seems like we are feeling a lot more confiodent of the work behind the scenes these days.

This is a massive turnaround to the unstable almost suicidal past, long contracts, listening to fans and serious investment.

If we do do a Reading it won't be down to on the pitch activities and for that PC deserves some credit!

GOAAARN STOKE

[ruts66]

"I'm really enjoying being a Stokie nowadays, and actually go to most games sober!"

Gibby, that made me laugh out loud, please have some Karma... ;D