|
|
Post by FullerMagic on Feb 22, 2008 9:39:04 GMT
www.whydelilah.co.uk/news/City-delay-swoop-for82691823.aspx Sentinel 22/02/2008 - City delay swoop for two loan recruits
League leaders Stoke City have been forced to postpone a planned swoop for two loan signings because of a question mark over the date of the Championship play-off final.
The final is currently pencilled in for Saturday, May 24, but may be put back two days to the Spring Bank Holiday Monday at a meeting of League chiefs next week.
A change of date would mean any player signed on an emergency 93-day loan today would be ineligible for a Monday final - so Stoke are now expected to play safe by making their move next week instead.
Manager Tony Pulis has already outlined his intention to strengthen two areas of his team.
And last night Peter Coates told supporters to watch this space during an amicable meet-the-chairman gathering attended by more than 100 fans at the Britannia Stadium.
"If we can find players who are going to improve our chances of gaining promotion," he said, "we will do it."
But he poured cold water on expectations of a new striker by stating: "No-one has mentioned that to me. That doesn't mean we wouldn't do it if the right player was there, but there's nothing on the agenda at the moment."
Last night's meeting also heard there were plans to eventually build an underpass from the Boothen End under the road leading to the A50 to speed up departures for both pedestrians and motorists.
The South Stand could also be used for home fans if Stoke win promotion, but there are no short-term plans to fill in the open corners of the Britannia Stadium.
Stoke aim to stay top of the Championship tomorrow when they entertain sixth-placed Ipswich.
Carl Dickinson is favourite to replace the suspended Danny Pugh at left-back, while Pulis must also decide between Rory Delap and Richard Cresswell on the left of midfield as Stoke chase a fifth straight win.
Paul Gallagher is expected to shrug off a kick to his Achilles in the reserves on Wednesday to take his seat on the bench.
|
|
|
|
Post by knowles on Feb 22, 2008 9:46:21 GMT
An interesting development. I didn't realise there were plans to change the date of the final. Who cares though? We are going up automatically  |
|
|
|
Post by u2oxeterstokie on Feb 22, 2008 9:47:43 GMT
This is crap! the FA can't piss about like this!
|
|
|
|
Post by sovietonion on Feb 22, 2008 9:47:47 GMT
Can somebody do the honour of wheeling the sentinel as the meet the chairman piece was broken on here first by an Oatie Poster?? ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by lordb on Feb 22, 2008 9:48:01 GMT
Piss poor from the League that.
|
|
|
|
Post by jezzascfc on Feb 22, 2008 9:48:08 GMT
Suppose it's best to be safe, but it's still disappointing when you've been looking forward to Friday's new signings all week.
As for a replacement for Pugh and whether to play Delap or Cressie on the left of midfield, surely we put Rory to right back, move Griff to left back and play Cressie in front of him? That way we keep Rory for his long throw and recent good form whilst including Cressie's more potent goal threat.
|
|
|
|
Post by twitters on Feb 22, 2008 9:48:45 GMT
This is crap! the FA can't piss about like this! The Football League decide the dates not the FA |
|
|
|
Post by wakefieldstokie on Feb 22, 2008 9:52:09 GMT
It's okay several people on this board have said we're signing players today |
|
|
|
Post by FullerMagic on Feb 22, 2008 9:54:28 GMT
But he poured cold water on expectations of a new striker by stating: "No-one has mentioned that to me. That doesn't mean we wouldn't do it if the right player was there, but there's nothing on the agenda at the moment." Let's hope Coatesy is being a bit disingenuous there. Unless he's classing Sinclair as an out-and-out winger?  Interesting how it's just assumed that Gallagher won't come into TP's thoughts for a start on the left? Doesn't look like he's going to feature much, does it? |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2008 9:54:36 GMT
I don’t see the big problem. So we have to go into the next 2 games with what we’ve already got, I’m not exactly that disappointed, they have taken us top after all !!
Maybe a couple of new faces next week for the final run in, wait and see I suppose.
|
|
|
|
Post by u2oxeterstokie on Feb 22, 2008 9:54:47 GMT
This is crap! the FA can't piss about like this! The Football League decide the dates not the FA Who gives a flying fuck who it is! They simply cannot change their minds / rules now! |
|
|
|
Post by ted1965 on Feb 22, 2008 10:01:02 GMT
At this moment we are very confident and should be reflected tomorrow, though it would be nice if we actrually played over an entire game rather than 45 mins. As for new players, well as long as they come in a few more days isn't going to make much difference. Though I know owners can't count chickens but maybe a firmer belief that only we can throw it away now might have changed the thinking on a play off final date.
|
|
|
|
Post by u2oxeterstokie on Feb 22, 2008 10:02:28 GMT
It does give other clubs time to poach tho'!
|
|
|
|
Post by ted1965 on Feb 22, 2008 10:05:25 GMT
Good point, as I said maybe we should be going in with the attitude of we'll sign whoever they are now because we want automatic promotion, if we end up in the play off final then we surely have enough as long as everyone is fit.
|
|
|
|
Post by u2oxeterstokie on Feb 22, 2008 10:06:06 GMT
I'd agree Ted
|
|
|
|
Post by Lakeland Potter on Feb 22, 2008 10:08:56 GMT
We can still loan them in time for the Preston game - so we'll only miss their services for tomorrow's game.
|
|
|
|
Post by FullerMagic on Feb 22, 2008 10:09:58 GMT
It'll be interesting to see if other teams with a chance of being involved in the final take a similar approach - or whether they go ahead with planned loans today. I'd imagine today has been D-Day for a few clubs.
Strange that up until yesterday, the local media were all saying there'd be action today, and didn't mention this question mark about the play-off final date.
I wonder whther the Baggies will go through with the Luke Moore loan today - or delay it 'til Monday. It'd be amusing if they had a £3.5m-rated loanee ineligible for the final ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by jezzascfc on Feb 22, 2008 10:11:52 GMT
Grapey, it would be much funnier if West Brazil didn't reach the final at all!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by GeordieDave on Feb 22, 2008 10:16:50 GMT
One imagines Magilton and Ipswich will share the same play-off concerns and I'll sleep a lot easier tonight knowing Dave Nugent isnt going to resurrect his career against Stoke tomorrow !!
|
|
|
|
Post by u2oxeterstokie on Feb 22, 2008 10:17:58 GMT
He was never going to, he's injured
|
|
|
|
Post by FullerMagic on Feb 22, 2008 10:26:30 GMT
Grapey, it would be much funnier if West Brazil didn't reach the final at all!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Certainly would, Jezza. I'm soiling myself at the prospect.  MWAHAHA MWAHAHA |
|
|
|
Post by surreystokie on Feb 22, 2008 10:26:36 GMT
It's not on. Or rather it is, but shouldn't be.  It's the FL's fault for messing about. What if they then change it to a later date, because of problems at Wembley or whatever? |
|
|
|
Post by u2oxeterstokie on Feb 22, 2008 10:30:28 GMT
Perzacerlly!
|
|
|
|
Post by hanibal7 on Feb 22, 2008 11:22:08 GMT
Can you imagine 40,000 stokies traveling to the london slums on a bank holiday monday.Doesnt bear thinking about what the motorways would look like.
|
|
|
|
Post by jezzascfc on Feb 22, 2008 11:42:23 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Stick It On Cort's Head on Feb 22, 2008 11:44:24 GMT
delap should be in the centre with whelan. He deserves it.
Cressy on the left .
|
|
|
|
Post by u2oxeterstokie on Feb 22, 2008 11:57:58 GMT
Well Southampton look to have ruled themselves out of the play offs - they've just signed Pearce on loan from Fulham
|
|
|
|
Post by Not_Nick_H on Feb 22, 2008 12:12:35 GMT
That's why it's absolutely vital we go up automatically on May 4th. That way we can all get ratted on the Sunday and carry on/recover the day after (a BH). ;D It'll be no fun thinking "Oh b**ger I've got work tomorrow so I can't drink like a loon in celebration". ;D |
|
