|
Post by stokecity4ever on Jul 24, 2009 16:31:57 GMT
Wilko is by no means shite/tripe etc, he is a good solid player and is still a prospect for the future, he will come good. yep some sado's love to slag young talent off instead of getting behind them be city and be proud
|
|
|
Post by stevoyork on Jul 24, 2009 16:32:48 GMT
Can't wait to see him in the red & white stripes!
:-D
|
|
|
Post by redditchpotter on Jul 24, 2009 16:35:17 GMT
I hope he isn't being lined up as our new right back. ??? that was my thought,wether he was bought for his ability to play right back
|
|
|
Post by stokie25 on Jul 24, 2009 16:35:38 GMT
Fair whack to the wallet this one, but I think TP will get the best from him. Our midfield needs some serious work and Whitehead is a reasonable start to that. It's all good folks
|
|
|
Post by slangking on Jul 24, 2009 16:38:28 GMT
Wilko is by no means shite/tripe etc, he is a good solid player and is still a prospect for the future, he will come good. yep some sado's love to slag young talent off instead of getting behind them be city and be proud As he is neither young or in the least bit talented I couldn't give a toss, what would infuriate me is seeing this sack of shitt starting again next season.
|
|
|
Post by Beardy200 on Jul 24, 2009 16:39:06 GMT
Wilkinson is pisspoor, the only reason he looked to have improved was that he started out as f*ckin terrible. you obviously have never played the game before how can you slag wilko off you tool he was out standing last season Both of those statements are as ludicrous as each other ;D
|
|
|
Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 24, 2009 16:41:13 GMT
Fair whack to the wallet this one, but I think TP will get the best from him. Our midfield needs some serious work and Whitehead is a reasonable start to that. It's all good folks It does but I don't think he's better than Whelan or Delap, he does have age on his side but I'd still start them pair ahead of him. Good for the squad but I don't see him as an improvement.
|
|
|
Post by Paul Spencer on Jul 24, 2009 16:42:32 GMT
It's hard not to be underwhelmed to a degree by this signing and talk of £5m compounds it, regardless of the mitigating factor of the domestic transfer market going absolutely bananas. It's a classic Pulis signing. That goes without saying. English, hard-working, will put it all in for every minute of the 90 (even on a wet winter Wednesday at Wigan), good character, no trouble fitting into the squad off-the-pitch, great engine, knows a handful of the squad etc etc. The risk factors on all the attributes Pulis puts a premium on are practically zero and this is obviously the attraction for him, even though it's tempting to wish we would have gambled on a slightly riskier option who could potentially have had a bigger up side. But, even with that all said, when you've got the whole world to try and find 2 central midfielders to push us on with a massive transfer budget, signing someone like him can't be met with much more than an ambivalent shrug of the shoulders. www.whydelilah.co.uk/news/24_Jul_2009/Whiteheads+like+a+Volvo+-+unfashionable+but+reliable.html Even their more considered musings paint him as an unglamorous, limited Ford Escort of a midfielder, of the type you'd have thought we were already over-blessed with. It'll be interesting to see where Pulis sees him fitting in. And if he finds a way of slotting him into a successful side where he's not asked to do things he can't do, you'd have to say he'll have proved himself despite the initial scepticism. Despite the midfield clangers Pulis dropped last year, overall he's definitely earned the right to do as he sees fit without people going overboard on the second-guessing. Quality post there FullerMagic.
|
|
|
Post by dozintheseventees on Jul 24, 2009 16:46:36 GMT
At Sunderland he was clearly rated above Delap and Lawrence Bayern which is why they were 'shuffled off' to Stoke for a million (the pair) whilst Whitehead continued as first choice and captain. They've both proved great signings for Stoke and I expect Whitehead to be another good signing.
|
|
Bang Bang Cauliflower
Academy Starlet
Only Post when triggered by Nonsense and Tommy Talkshites.
Posts: 211
|
Post by Bang Bang Cauliflower on Jul 24, 2009 16:48:09 GMT
He wasnt 5 million, he was 3 million. The 5 million is appearence and performance related so if we do have to stump up the extra 2 million, he will have contributed to us earning a lot more than that!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2009 16:50:23 GMT
Nice1 Finally! A deal that could potentially be worth £5m it says!Pleased we've got someone added to the squad the manager wanted. But this talk of £5m has depressed me a bit. When a figure of £2.5m was mentioned, in the context of Ashton and Dunne potentially coming at the same time, it seemed sound enough as another aaard-working midfield type. But talk of £5m does bring things into focus, when there's no talk of Ashton to distract us from the bold facts of this deal in isolation totally agree i can't help but worry that we've totally spunked away a large part of our transfer budget on a player who did not distinguish himself last season in a team we were comfortably better than not better than what we have in my opinion, i'd only play him in the centre if either rory or glenn are injured not impressed with the signing, would have been ok with it if it was 1.5 mill - 2 mill obviously he will have my support from now on
|
|
|
Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 24, 2009 16:51:45 GMT
At Sunderland he was clearly rated above Delap and Lawrence Bayern which is why they were 'shuffled off' to Stoke for a million (the pair) whilst Whitehead continued as first choice and captain. They've both proved great signings for Stoke and I expect Whitehead to be another good signing. But for 5 million, its not my money and I feel robbed! 3 million is still a lot for a bloke who sounds like just a grafter imo. It'll be interesting to see the reaction to him. If he is what we expect, a proficient midfielder, no frills etc then I can see there being a spot of trouble. Not from me I hasten to add but the expection for that money could prove to be a problem imo.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2009 16:54:10 GMT
For the initial 3 million Whitehead is a decent signing imo and for me if we end up paying the full 5 million then he must have done something right.
|
|
|
Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 24, 2009 16:55:48 GMT
Where's this double Deano swoop we were promised anyway? We've signed the grafter now I want the crock! ;D
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2009 16:57:47 GMT
Paitence is a virtue mate Monday won't be long.
|
|
|
Post by actongatestokie on Jul 24, 2009 16:58:34 GMT
I'm not overly enamoured with the signing and definitely not for the price. However, 3M rising to 5M for a player (albeit a grafter) that has around 100 Premier League appearances, compared to 7M (last season) or nigh on 5M this season for the untried and untested Ledley and you almost see the logic and sense.
The market is mental right now and players are going for silly money.
Nothing you can do about it. If you don't buy players you'll stand still, and ultimately fall behind.
|
|
|
Post by dozintheseventees on Jul 24, 2009 17:01:15 GMT
Agreed it IS a lot of money Bayern and more than anyone probably expected but I just can't get over how mental the transfer market is this pre-season. Anyone buying anyone is paying well over the odds for very average players and it's going to get more and more 'stupid' over the next few weeks as clubs get desperate. Like evryone else, I'll just have to see how it pans out with Whitehead but I certainly think that all the evidence says he's better than Rory (I love Rory) and will work well with Glen. I'd love to sign the creative, forward thinking midfield general we all want but, to be honest Bayern, I just don't think we could either afford or attract one at the moment. Given that, I think we have signed a player who is a little better than what we've got with the intention of doing what we do, but a little better.
|
|
|
Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 24, 2009 17:07:21 GMT
Patience isn't a virtue I hold, sadly. I wish I did have it though, it always seems a good thing to have! I hope he is better, he has to win me over and I shall give him every opportunity to do that.
|
|
|
Post by march4 on Jul 24, 2009 17:12:36 GMT
As ever, we will give Whitehead the benefit of the doubt until he has a few games under his belt. Then we will be able to judge properly.
I don't understand some of this prejudging of players. One or two posters don't want an established Prem grafter like Whitehead who is captain of one of our rivals, but are keen on a 5'6" bloke called Dindane who has done nothing since coming back from injury in the French 2nd Division!
Lets give the guy a fair chance. I've never known this much negativity surrounding a signing since we bought Jimmy Greenhoff and he was booed every time he touched the ball in his first few games. He didn't turn out too bad did he?
|
|
|
Post by cousindupree on Jul 24, 2009 17:12:57 GMT
The fee is par for the course sadly...but my real nightmare would be a central midfield paring of W'head with Delap Daio or Faye..........seems non of them can pick a pass or hold on to the ball. I think TP will start him in front of whelan
|
|
|
Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 24, 2009 17:17:34 GMT
Dindane is the unknown march. The unknown is exciting.
Whitehead is a midfield plodder who will be solid and boring and no doubt do a good job but he just doesn't offer excitement. And then the price lessens that.
And I'm not saying that this right but its the way a good many are.
I will give him a chance but I will always pre judge players if I've seen them play.
I just think that with some the expectation of the price may make him a bit of a target. Just a nasty feeling I'm getting as Stoke fans can be a tough group to please.
|
|
|
Post by dozintheseventees on Jul 24, 2009 17:19:28 GMT
Personally, I believe he has been signed to play WITH Whelan. None of knows of course but the one thing that Sunderland and Oxford fans have stated is his boundless energy and ability to get up and down. Could be a slight change in emphasis with no recignised 'holding' midfielder for home games (who knows) but probably reverting for away games. Haven't got a clue if i'm honest but glad to have him anyway.
|
|
|
Post by Mezza on Jul 24, 2009 17:19:46 GMT
The fee is par for the course sadly...but my real nightmare would be a central midfield paring of W'head with Delap Daio or Faye..........seems non of them can pick a pass or hold on to the ball. I think TP will start him in front of whelan Im afraid you might be right. Whelan to me was the only player that could pass the ball in the centre for us last season.
|
|
|
Post by cousindupree on Jul 24, 2009 17:21:41 GMT
Doz...hope you are right..I would be happy with Glen and W'head in CM ahead of rory diao and faye.....fingers crossed. But I just have this feeling TP doesn't rate Glen
|
|
|
Post by march4 on Jul 24, 2009 17:23:04 GMT
Dindane is the unknown march. The unknown is exciting. Whitehead is a midfield plodder who will be solid and boring and no doubt do a good job but he just doesn't offer excitement. And then the price lessens that. And I'm not saying that this right but its the way a good many are. I will give him a chance but I will always pre judge players if I've seen them play. I just think that with some the expectation of the price may make him a bit of a target. Just a nasty feeling I'm getting as Stoke fans can be a tough group to please. I also worry that he will be targeted by some, especially when it becomes obvious that he is here to replace Whelan. I just hope some real quality can be brought in to midfield to play alongside him. Still £3M is nothing these days (yes, I know its crazy) and for all we know the other £2M could depend on Stoke getting into Europe or winning a Cup. If Oli leaves, I think Whitehead is a more than capable replacement in the squad, but like you I'm not so keen on seeing him every match.
|
|
|
Post by tazi on Jul 24, 2009 17:40:51 GMT
Beggers belief that some folk can moan and whinge about us paying £3M rising to a possible £5M for a proven premiership player because even some other lower league clubs are asking some £5M for some of their players which are far from from proven in the top flight. If Whitehead does the buisness for us 'like you would expect that he would' then it's £5M well spent.
Top man Tony Pulis, yet another top draw signing at a very very reasonable price.
|
|
|
Post by alexanderinstone on Jul 24, 2009 17:42:40 GMT
Whitehead looks a very good signing to me, and £3 miilion is cheap at the price when you look at the fees being paid/asked for Championship players. If the fee eventually rises to £5 million as is being reported, (and we don't know what triggers the increase), then he will have contributed even more to the success of the squad.
We need to improve the quality and depth of the squad for obvious reasons. And Whitehead will become, like everyone else - namely a squad player. TP will pick the eleven who will do the job on any particular day and that includes all the players. We want a team that has players earning (on form) the right to play for us, and that has to be the best way to be.
No one should expect to be automatically selected regardless of how they are percieved by themselves or supporters. We want eleven players fighting their socks off to get in the team, and that's how it should be.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2009 17:49:59 GMT
Whitehead looks a very good signing to me, and £3 miilion is cheap at the price when you look at the fees being paid/asked for Championship players. If the fee eventually rises to £5 million as is being reported, (and we don't know what triggers the increase), then he will have contributed even more to the success of the squad. We need to improve the quality and depth of the squad for obvious reasons. And Whitehead will become, like everyone else - namely a squad player. TP will pick the eleven who will do the job on any particular day and that includes all the players. We want a team that has players earning (on form) the right to play for us, and that has to be the best way to be. No one should expect to be automatically selected regardless of how they are percieved by themselves or supporters. We want eleven players fighting their socks off to get in the team, and that's how it should be. i think we have enough back up/squad players for the midfield positions. i would have preferred us to try to sign the likes of o'neill or sidwell, players that are better than what we have that's a lot of money to spend on someone who in my opinion would not be in our best eleven at the moment
|
|
|
Post by onebollockbarry on Jul 24, 2009 17:54:04 GMT
Tony has a very high opinion of this lad and has done for a while. I don't know the ins and outs but i will be amazed if he has purchased him to be a squad player. He will be a regular starter and personally think he'll be captain.
It could work well for Stoke but for one reason only and that is if he plays along side someone with flair and creativity. This guy will run, chase, close down anything and will go from box to box, he could be a real pain for opposition. He and everyone else is aware of his limited attributes.
If he is picking up all the bits and doing all the graft then this leaves someone with ability to play as a playmaker like we've been after since the season finished. Someone who can control and run the midfield and generally have a free role knowing that Deano is there to do the hard work.
Tony isn't daft he's planned ahead, he's got his grafter who is a natural replacement for Rory and now he wants his playmaker to replace Glenn. This will be a successful pairing in my eyes.
On the other hand it would be a step back if both Deano and Rory were to be the midfield pairing as they are the same player and that leaves us with no footballing ability in the middle, very dangerous tactic.
|
|
|
Post by DelapsWankingArm on Jul 24, 2009 18:02:08 GMT
Im very pleased with this signing . Ashton next?
|
|