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Post by knowles on Mar 5, 2009 10:28:20 GMT
We have a plethora of talent at our disposal and to use one of Tony's phrases, "you just have to look at the bench" to prove it.
Last night, look at who didn't even make it onto the bench.
1. Andy Griffin- Club captain who TP has seemingly lost all trust in. A player we worked ever so hard to bring to the club (on numerous occassions) and has now been ousted by our very own Stone lad.
2. Seyi Olofinjana- £3 million is looking like a lot of money. On his day, one of Wolves' most highly rated players but had to watch from the stand last night.
3. Leon Cort- The first player we shelled a million pounds on. It seems a long time ago doesn't it?!
4. Tom Soares- Highly rated in the Championship last season and now finds himself on loan at the bottom club in the division.
5. Richard Cresswell- Shocked.
6. Dave Kitson- A lot has been said about our record signing but it really does seem like he has played his last game for the club.
7. Stephen Kelly- After a nightmare debut at Sunderland, he hasn't played. Quite right too- Wilko has been superb.
8. Andrew Davies- Another right back who has failed to live up to the expectation and is now on loan at Preston.
There is some decent quality in that bunch of players and it goes to prove the depth of our squad.
Thankfully we have ten days to recover for our next game but the final few minutes were like the walking wounded last night. I wouldn't have too many restless nights if any of the above had to fill in and do a job.
I suppose what I'm trying to say is how far have we bloody come? This is such an exciting time to be a Stokie.
Long may it continue!
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Post by bigbren on Mar 5, 2009 11:39:28 GMT
Totally agree Knowlesy. Too easy to forget just how far we have come in the last two years. You have to hail TP and Sir Peter. Tony (or maybe Rudgy) has taken a punt on one or two that have ended up looking like expensive squad players, but a year ago they would all have walked into our team!!
Still on a high after last night's game! Living the dream, and loving every minute of it!
Where's Dicko on the list btw? Recalled from Leeds as cover, not benched last night.
bb
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Post by cousindupree on Mar 5, 2009 11:41:08 GMT
Good post Knowles its an impressive list of fringe players......A 'reserve' team of
Simmo
Davies Sonko Cort Griffin
Tonge Oli Soares Kelly
Kitson Cressy
Would actually have a chance of holding its own in the champs
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Post by luke2u on Mar 5, 2009 11:48:27 GMT
And Etherington out suspended.
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Post by knowles on Mar 5, 2009 12:00:20 GMT
Ah yes BB, I overlooked young Dicko. What a squad we have these days and although people believe that we've wasted money on certain players, it could be argued that they have galvanised other players into producing better performances.
One such example is Wilko who has been forced to improve his performances to a) gain his place and b) retain his place.
Although the Shola Ameobi loan was perceived to be a flop, he forced Mama to up his game and eventually, he scored twice against Bristol City.
On one hand it could be called very clever management but whatever you want to name it, it's bloody working!
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Post by bigbren on Mar 5, 2009 13:05:03 GMT
Fully agree Knowlsey, without it wanting to sound like a 'love in'!
With the possible exception of one player, and even he wasn't on the bench last night, players have been given their chance without favouritism. If they've taken it they've retained their place.
Look at Danny Pugh, I for one thought he'd played his last game in a Stoke shirt v Leicester, when he got just before the pitch invasion. But he's made a very good contribution this season, and is a great squad player.
Also Whelan has raised his game too. Have the last two games been his best ever back-to-back performances in a Stoke shirt? I can't think of two others.
Tony's desire to have the right characters in the dressing room is a key part of this. He avoids 'teddy-chuckers' like the plague, and that in itself might still drag Hull into the mix and lose Mark Hughes his job at the end of the season.
bb
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Post by colourboy on Mar 5, 2009 13:26:47 GMT
good post knowlsey.
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Post by Paul Spencer on Mar 5, 2009 13:36:28 GMT
Last night, look at who didn't even make it onto the bench. Richard Cresswell- Shocked. Jeez I didn't even realise that last night. I haven't half brusied my elbow though, when I just fell off the chair!  |
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Post by rambo61 on Mar 5, 2009 13:42:05 GMT
Knowlesy,you,re normally in the know, so what is the crack with Griffin? ???
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Post by knowles on Mar 5, 2009 13:48:14 GMT
Sadly, I don't know- I wish I did! It's clear that he has picked up the wrong end of the stick of the Fuller incident- whether it was his attitude at the time or what was said in their 'meeting' afterwards, I don't know.
What is clear though is that he is nowhere near the first team plans. I can't see him playing for us again this season because, as things stand, he has two players ahead of him in both full back roles.
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Post by y_oh_y_delilah on Mar 5, 2009 13:56:18 GMT
Excellent post and really does make you think just how far we've come in such a short time. In these heady times, it seems only yesterday that we were playing against the likes of Luton, Bournemouth, Bradford, Macclesfield, Gillingham, Notts. County, Shrewsbury, Chester, Brentford and Wycombe who are all, effectively now in the fourth division. Just one other thing - I know he's injured at the moment, but you make no mention of Pericard amonst the list of players we could call on in a crisis! |
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Post by knowles on Mar 5, 2009 14:00:49 GMT
'In these heady times' we must not forget those teams you mention. On a completely different note, I find it very sad that teams who were our 'rivals' a coulpe of seasons ago are now facing extinction.
Hopefully we won't be playing them for points in the near future but I dearly hope that these clubs in administration and on the brink survive.
As for Pericard, how could I forget the lad who once trained with Zizou?
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Post by knowles on Mar 6, 2009 11:33:39 GMT
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