28 points from 45 who would have beleived it.

[ted1965]

So we weren’t at our very best, in fact we were pretty poor for a lot of the game but these games aren’t about flowing football, they’re about taking that one chance and preventing the opponents from taking theirs. The only thing that really matters in these relegation dogfights is the final score being in your favour. If you have played well and been beaten what can you take from such a game nothing. I would like an easier ride from here on in but if the results are the same then I will take 7 more performances like yesterday.

It was a game where neither side could afford to lose but where both really needed a win and football and entertainment play a secondary role. I couldn’t care less that we didn’t play well, all I care about is looking at the league table this morning and seeing that there is now 5 points between ourselves and Middlesboro and knowing we have Newcastle to come at home where the same again will do me nicely. When you beat a rival side it has two effects, firstly it demoralizes them because they would look at a game against a rival as a chance to gain points so losing in this case increased the gap to 5 points. That 5 point lead equates to 2 games advantage because we would need to lose the next 2 and they would need to win for them to overhaul us. As long as we match their results over the next 3 or 4 games they really shouldn’t be in the equation.

The Baggies are even further back they are now sitting 8 points back and therefore 3 games down on us. I honestly think they are gone and with us having a chance to put even more points between us in a few weeks time we really do have things in our hands.

Newcastle now sit 3 back, yes only a game because they have a better goal difference but with them having to come to us and also looking more and more like a side in freefall a win against them could almost leave us safe which would be a remarkable achievement. I know it’s not as simple as that but we would be 6 points clear of them if both sides got the same result in our next game. If we beat them I honestly believe they will be so deflated they could implode completely.

I do think you have to look at the squads involved, Newcastle on paper have enough to get out of trouble as would Middlesboro on paper but it’s about heart and the ability to play well under pressure and that fighting spirit. I just get the feeling neither has those qualities, both are happier when sides give them a little room and play football with them yet when the hammer is down and they need players to stand up and be counted both come up well short.

I want to see a huge improvement in how we play as we evolve into a Premiership side but until that happens I just want to see us win enough games to watch the whole circus over again next year. We have come a long way in a short time and not many expected us to be out of the bottom three with 8 games left and that includes most of us supporters. So now isn’t the time to worry about how we played only to enjoy the three points, recharge the batteries for the next incredible high or low of one of the most exciting seasons for decades. Last season was amazing but this one has outstripped it for me already, why simply because of the odds and the fact despite having an away record that Derby would have been proud of we are still looking down on enough clubs to be safe. Why because we have a home record that some of the top 6 would kill for. 28 points from a possible 45 at the very top level after being in the wilderness for three decades is nothing short of miraculous.

While we shouldn’t become complacent and believe the job is already done we should reflect on how remarkable those statistics are. We really do need that one away win though and as I have said with Hull and the Baggies yet to come there’s no reason why we can’t get 4 points from those 2 games. They will be complete dogfights, games where good football will play little or no part and those are the games we are geared up for. Fulham is still a an opportunity despite their fantastic win yesterday they have been struggling against sides they should beat of late. It’s easy to raise your game for the Champions but maybe not quite as exciting against relegation battling Stoke.

It’s nice to be getting some real credit for what we have achieved especially at home. If our away record was even moderately better than it is we’d be well clear of the relegation zone as it stands now. It seems while we’ll never be media darlings we have at least earned some grudging respect for our honest play till the last kick attitude. I honestly think the supporters have also helped turn a lot of people’s opinions of Stoke, the noise and passion at the Britannia has changed many pundits views of whether we belong in the top flight. I really hope the novelty doesn’t wear off if we stay up for a number of years, that just being a mid table side doesn’t dull the enthusiasm for attending games. That would be the real travesty of becoming an established Premiership club, supporters who suddenly have found a real taste for following the club again or even new ones suddenly become bored with the experience or complacent and only attend the really big games.

It really is an amazing time to support this football club, many will not have experienced such times and for those who have it’s a wonderful reminder of what used to be, long may we all have such days and seasons ahead of us. It really would be a tragedy for the club, supporters and yes the Premiership next season if we weren’t in it. We have brought something new to the Premiership and hopefully we will continue to earn grudging respect and evolve into a side who not only play hard but who do it with a little style also.

[pattayapotter]

Hiya Ted ;D

[monkhousestokie]

class post Ted!

[surreystokie]

Ted, well said. I'm just about to start a thread on the new love-in (not grudging respect) for SCFC.

Meanwhile, with regard to your comments on our supporters' maybe getting bored with future PL mid-table 'mediocrity, I have only two words of warning: Charlton Athletic.

Today is wonderful. Let's all make the most of it and count our blessings.

[salopstick]

despite having an away record that Derby would have been proud of

comedy gold

[Beardy200]

Hey Ted.


I don't care how good Newcastle's squad looks on paper really when they write their fixtures on paper aswell ;D

They've got some real nasty ones and if we make sure we at least don't lose against them it's looking good methinks. If we can get another win well i'd say we're nearly home and dry.

Sorry to lower the tone on one of your threads Ted BUT .....




It's Fucking Great Innit? ;D ;D ;D

[Adster]

;D

Ted, class as always mate ;D

[Ddraigcoch]

HAPPY DAYS TED.

If only Pompey had lost aswell. Ah well can't have evrything all the time.

;D

[kice]

One very interesting stat. If we would only play second half, we would have 43 points with 10 wins, 13 draws and 7 losses giving us 7th place. So how about showing up in first half with second half performance.

[serpico]

Super Ted

[snapotter]

Great post.
It's far from over, but whilst some teams/fans are starting to implode, Stoke are continuing to believe.....

[Pedropotter]

Spot on ..... best post in a long time. Karma ;

[assessornum1]

Couldnt read it all, i only get two hours for lunch lol

[jacka118]

Awesome post!!

Su su super ted

GOAARRRNN STOOOKKEE!!