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Post by Smudge_SCFC on Sept 20, 2009 11:05:52 GMT
...about yesterday is that we were so clearly the better team. We were obviously better than Birmingham and didn't win and, again, we were a far better looking outfit than Bolton and still couldn't get that precious away win.
The trend is most definitely upwards and you get the feeling that we are so very, very close to actually being an extremely tidy Premier League outfit.
TP's approach has got us this far and just maybe he needs to have a little more belief and confidence in just how decent we could be. I honestly think we're that close to something special.
Nice to see some of these quotes from the papers...
Telegraph:The Bolton manager has been under pressure after home defeats to Sunderland and Liverpool and he was jeered off at the conclusion of an encounter in which Stoke were clearly the better side.
News of The World:It shows how far the visitors have come that the frustration at not taking all three points was solely in the red- and-white camp.
Independent:It was the second successive week Stoke have deserved more from a match having conceded a last-minute winner to Chelsea at the Britannia Stadium last weekend. Once again, they probably deserved more for their efforts...
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Post by therealstokefan on Sept 20, 2009 11:10:06 GMT
its football, its unpredictable, its all swings and rounabouts
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Post by march4 on Sept 20, 2009 11:10:24 GMT
We are close Smudge and I think it is the older Stokies who can see that and are thankful for it.
I fear some younger fans have been used to seeing us win more than we lose in the 3rd and 2nd divisions.
I have never been so optimistic before games since we had Chambo rampaging down the wings and Thomas and McIllroy pulling the strings.
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Post by therealstokefan on Sept 20, 2009 11:13:17 GMT
i think we are capable of pushing every team in the league all the way, we are like the crazy gang of wimbledon from years ago, if we manage to stay up this year and coates carrys on to back us, i can imagine us pushing for europe in a few years, THE FUTURES BRIGHT AT STOKE  |
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Post by dadofsam on Sept 20, 2009 11:13:35 GMT
Many question whether Pulis' approach will allow us to take the next step.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2009 11:14:20 GMT
Many question whether Pulis' approach will allow us to take the next step. You've questioned that since about 2004 to be fair, and he's made you look a proper twat at every turn. |
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Post by dozintheseventees on Sept 20, 2009 11:14:35 GMT
Smudge: I agree that it is frustrating but just reading those press comments, and baring in mind that we were well beaten there last season, it really does show just how much we have moved on in a very short space of time. We look a much better side this season and many of last season's rivals look worse than last season. Despite our frustration, it realy does look very bright for us this season
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Post by stokie12345 on Sept 20, 2009 11:14:39 GMT
Agree 100% Smudge when you look at Hull's abysmal performances recently it puts the disappointment of Bolton's equiliser into perspective.
I think the NOTW quote sums it up really, we've come a long way but we still need to keep it going 100% or we'll have more last minute goals against us, and we can't afford many more of them.
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Post by Smudge_SCFC on Sept 20, 2009 11:18:28 GMT
Many question whether Pulis' approach will allow us to take the next step. I think that's too negative an outlook. TP is changing, but he finds it hard to let go of the 'security blanket' things in his football make-up. As I've already said, I'm not sure our manager is fully aware of just how good the squad he's put together actually is. There's no question that our rigid shape and discipline have got us where we are now but maybe, just maybe, TP could let them off the leash from time to time when it's clear that we're better than the team we're playing? It's a long journey though and I honestly think he;s getting there... though perhaps a little more slowly than some fans would like. ;D |
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Post by slangking on Sept 20, 2009 11:31:54 GMT
I could understand frustration had we been camped in our own half and gone there for a draw and were lucky to get away with it, fact is we took the game to them and dominated and one stupid mistake cost us the game other than that they were barely in it, frustrating that we should have won but we did everything to win it and have to be happy with that.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2009 11:32:59 GMT
Good post smudge
if we can overcome our stereotype we''l be more than a match for a goodly proportion of the prem
Ps its now official - you can kick - hold - grab - drag - shirtpull- elbow - trip and generally foul Ricardo Fuller anyways you like AND with impunity in the premier league !
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2009 11:34:06 GMT
Good post smudge if we can overcome our stereotype we''l be more than a match for a goodly proportion of the prem Ps its now offical - you can kick - hold - grab - drag - shirtpull- elbow - trip and generally foul Ricardo Fuller anyways you like AND with impunity in the premier league ! Top marks for use of the word "goodly". |
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Post by thepremierbanksy on Sept 20, 2009 11:41:30 GMT
We are close Smudge and I think it is the older Stokies who can see that and are thankful for it. I fear some younger fans have been used to seeing us win more than we lose in the 3rd and 2nd divisions.I have never been so optimistic before games since we had Chambo rampaging down the wings and Thomas and McIllroy pulling the strings. Yeah we've been properly spoilt with those emphatic victories at Chesterfield ;D |
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Post by mayf on Sept 20, 2009 11:42:13 GMT
The better teams are able to kill off the opposition when they have the chance.We had that chance yesterday and failed to capitalise because we were only concerned with running the clock down in the corner.
We are too rigid in our play....some would say that's good organisation....but we take it too far in my opinion and it will be interesting to see how Tuncay fits in to Pulis's ethos
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Sept 20, 2009 11:42:33 GMT
Yes, I agree with that Smudge. Like march4 said, I actually go to matches these days (including the away ones) expecting, not just hoping, that we can get something out of the game. Only Liverpool away has seen a really disappointing performance this season - all the other five league games have had more positives than negatives.
Like you suggest, the problems we do have are probably not a lack of quality but an inability to use that quality to maxiumum effect. We need to be able to push on and punish teams once we get on top.
But the foundations are there - in four out of six league games (five out of seven if you include the cup) we have taken the lead. That is the sort of start we couldn't manage regularly in the Championship until our promotion season
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Post by Paul Spencer on Sept 20, 2009 11:51:51 GMT
I think we are still handicapped by the limited distribution abilities from our full backs and until this is addressed we still see us struggle to take that step up to the next level.
We are most certainly heading in the right direction though and that was evident in how clearly we were the better side yesterday when 12 months ago we certainly weren't.
This time last year most people's primary concern was for us not to be relegated and I'd suggest that the majority of us are already beginning to have slightly higher aspirations this season.
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Post by headsgoup on Sept 20, 2009 11:59:41 GMT
On the bright side I'm more optimistic about us getting results away at the lower half clubs than last season.
But I agree with Smudge about the need to be a bit more positive now that we have better players.
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Post by OldStokie on Sept 20, 2009 12:02:02 GMT
I agree with that, Smudge. As for improving...anyone who doesn't think we are, albeit slowly, must have their head up their arse. Apart from the L'pool game, we've improved in every match we've played against the opposition. Last season, Chelsea didn't need get out of second gear to beat us. This season, they celebrated their win as if they'd just won the Champions League. Pulis (choke) is (mumble) doing (cough) ok.  OS. |
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Post by bayernoatcake on Sept 20, 2009 12:02:29 GMT
We were by far the better team but created very little clear cut chances, worrying.
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Post by Paul Spencer on Sept 20, 2009 12:05:31 GMT
We were by far the better team but created very little clear cut chances, worrying. Very good point bayern. And indeed we haven't done all season so far. |
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Post by OldStokie on Sept 20, 2009 12:07:17 GMT
That will change when Mama gets back. He's the key to the 'Pulis System'. OS. |
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Post by bayernoatcake on Sept 20, 2009 12:09:49 GMT
I suppose it has something to with Fuller not firing on all cylinders and having key players getting splinters on their arses instead of playing. Mama is the man OS! |
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Post by trebor63 on Sept 20, 2009 12:15:06 GMT
Many question whether Pulis' approach will allow us to take the next step. Not many actually! About six or seven people on here who don't appear to have much understanding of football. All the people round and about me at Bolton yesterday could see what was going on and appreciated the fact of how far we've come in trwelve months. A few planks on here who never or rarely go should simply be ignored |
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Post by gibby1409 on Sept 20, 2009 12:33:23 GMT
Many question whether Pulis' approach will allow us to take the next step. Not many actually! About six or seven people on here who don't appear to have much understanding of football. All the people round and about me at Bolton yesterday could see what was going on and appreciated the fact of how far we've come in trwelve months. A few planks on here who never or rarely go should simply be ignored So true Trebor! We need to get a sense of perspective about how far we've come in a short time, but there are one or two who wouldn't be happy if we were 5th, they want us in the " Big Four" We used to moan about there being no plan B, but now we have C, D & probably E, such is the improvement in the squad. Just a quickie about Collins, he had a good game, and it was a Sunday morning tackle for the penno, but he has to have a run of games, because we won't always have players settling in like Abdy & Beats! For Fooks sake, it took Kit's a season ;D |
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Post by actongatestokie on Sept 20, 2009 12:35:38 GMT
Yesterday was frustrating. It always is when you concede a last minute goal that denies you a win or a point. Thats life.
What i'm finding encouraging so far is that in the two away games against what I would call our "bread and butter" games, we have looked extremely composed and the better side - as opposed to last seasons struggle even against those in and around us.
The overall, bigger picture is showing that we have gained an average of two points a game against our "rivals" - since the games against Liverpool and Chelsea yielded 0 points, and can be classed as bonus games anyway (not that we should automatically class them as write offs before we step out onto the pitch, because we should'nt).
If we carry on like that all through the season we will be more than okay, no matter how frustrating games like yesterday are/were.
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Post by GRUMPY 1 on Sept 20, 2009 13:08:39 GMT
I travel the whole of the Uk in my job and it is only on here that I see any negativity,
Everyone who finds out that I am a Stokie says that we are safe. We play to our strengths where others try to outplay the big guns and everyone knows that we will be hard to beat, especialy at home.
they also are quick to praise our vocal support home and away.
We should be proud of that at least.
I will still take 17th place as a result at the end of the season.
GOAAAAAAARN STOKE
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Post by beale08 on Sept 20, 2009 13:12:12 GMT
yes they may think we are safe... but it doesn't look that good for two away games in a row we fail to kill off most probably the weakest teams we will play away from home. you only get to europe by winning games!!
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Post by banburypotter on Sept 20, 2009 13:15:32 GMT
That will change when Mama gets back. He's the key to the 'Pulis System'. OS. and who makes way for him? |
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Post by cobhamstokey on Sept 20, 2009 13:26:06 GMT
The big difference this season is that no one will outclass us at home and only the top 4-4 teams will beat us comfortably away. It really is a shame about the late goals in the last few games but we're definately progressing and should get better once Tuncay is fitter and Arismendi's got more experience of the British game. We just have to make sure we don't get too comfortable and become lazy. I'm sure TP won't allow this to happen. As a start to the season I'd give us a 7 out of 10.
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Post by march4 on Sept 20, 2009 13:49:15 GMT
I sat with the Bolton gliterati yesterday and they were very complimentary about us. As you would imagine it was our organisation and compactness that impressed them the most. They thought that our front 2 looked dangerous throughout.
They would swap our players, manager and support in the blink of an eye. For my part, I felt they were being a little bit harsh on their players, 3 or 4 of whom would improve our squad.
Its sometimes useful to listen to the opinions of sensible people from other clubs. They have no 'agenda' and tell it as it is.
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