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Post by riponstokie on Sept 1, 2016 16:20:48 GMT
I don't necessarily disagree, but there's a lot more to the role than controlling a ball and passing it. There is, but they are the attributes he severely lacks and it massively hinders the team at times. If Imbula had a decent work rate he'd be an ideal replacement. It's a lot more than merely work rate. Whelan has discipline which imbula lacks, has fight which imbula lacks, reads the game well which imbula lacks. He is no way a Whelan replacement (or capable of being.) as he is a completely different player who whilst having technical ability, hasn't a defensive bone in his body which may be an issue if he were to replace Glenn in that DEFENSIVE midfield position. People think any old player can play Whelan's role but it is one of the most important and unrecognised roles in our team. Moreover, anyone who claims 'he isn't very good at football' is completely wrong. How to you define a 'good footballer'? Is it someone like Imbula who has all the technical ability in the world but is occasionally ineffective? Or is it someone like Whelan who may lack the ability to do stepovers or beat a man, but does a job so well we haven't been able to replace during half a decade of trying?
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Post by riponstokie on Sept 1, 2016 10:10:41 GMT
I for one am chuffed with Wollscheid's departure. Very strange player, couldn't run but read the game well. I find it funny whilst Stoke fans appear to relish opportunities to slag off Marc Wilson for making defensive errors that lead to goals, many forget how many times Wollschied has cost us. Whether it be him charging out of defence against Swansea and giving the ball away on the half way line, whether it be him throwing a strop and getting torn a new one at Blackburn or playing stupid clever dick passes across our goal against Everton, he always had a mistake in him. He clearly had decent ball playing ability, however I'd much rather he twatted the ball up front and never make a mistake for a goal, than play 4 nice passes out of 5 but the 5th cost us. Auf Wiedersehen Wollscheid, I for one won't miss you.
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 28, 2016 18:36:23 GMT
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 28, 2016 11:48:11 GMT
Firstly, playing Imbula and Pieters today is an utter disgrace. Playing Crouch without Adam is like playing a goalkeeper but saying he can't use his hands. Gcam (who I backed to start.) looked shite. Diouf was lost outwide. And the most worrying thing is Hughes had no idea how to change it. Bojan looks low on confidence having being played out of position then dropped (shite player management.) Imbula looks like he has no idea what he's doing..he needs clear instructions and help to develop discipline and a defensive aspect to his game. In 2016 we have relegation form, and Hughes hasn't sorted out the issues. I will hold back from calling for his head until the transfer window has closed..that's when his clock really starts ticking down if issues aren't sorted. Until the transfer window is closed? How fucking magnanimous of you. H True, it is challenging to wait so long without really assessing the weaknesses in our squad and its management. Admittedly, don't think we performed too poorly yesterday, but still looked far too open and had glaring issues in defence and the midfield, not to mention going forward. But yes, having probably the worst 2016 record in the prem, and seen nothing done to turn it around (on or off the pitch.) upto the 28th of August suggests perhaps waiting til the end of the window praying we make some key changes to the squad may just be naive hope.
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 28, 2016 11:43:07 GMT
Given the Brexit vote it surely can't be that hard to find a right winger? Look no further than this messageboard..
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 27, 2016 16:08:36 GMT
Firstly, playing Imbula and Pieters today is an utter disgrace. Playing Crouch without Adam is like playing a goalkeeper but saying he can't use his hands. Gcam (who I backed to start.) looked shite. Diouf was lost outwide. And the most worrying thing is Hughes had no idea how to change it. Bojan looks low on confidence having being played out of position then dropped (shite player management.) Imbula looks like he has no idea what he's doing..he needs clear instructions and help to develop discipline and a defensive aspect to his game. In 2016 we have relegation form, and Hughes hasn't sorted out the issues. I will hold back from calling for his head until the transfer window has closed..that's when his clock really starts ticking down if issues aren't sorted. Some good points in there but Cameron looked shite? What exactly did he do wrong? Thought he put in a solid perormance myself. Got sucked out of position, Lukaku rolled him a few times..shite is probably too harsh but he wasn't great.
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 27, 2016 16:06:51 GMT
Worryingly doesn't seem to over the top..Christ we look shite Worrying for you, if you agree with that. Forgive me, but I can't see me saying I agree? I essentially said its concerning that what he wrote isn't ludicrous which it should be..
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 27, 2016 16:03:23 GMT
Well it's happening as predicted this team will go Into WBA with 1 point lose and Man Utd away next and it's all over . All the signs are there most goals conceded since Xmas and no goal In open play this season . Defensive discipline poor ,and a bit of bad luck too it's all down to rhe WBA game and a last desperate throw of the dice In the dying embers of the window. My only hope is that Scholes who has presided over appalling window after window , wasting of £30m in the last two , and utterly disgusting I ineptitude in this window pays the same price as whatever the mamagement team do .who have failed to address apparent weaknesses and often not helped their cause but their time is coming as the results continue to spiral and given 3 9ths it's harsh if they haven't got the tools . I prey we beat WBA but feel by then pressure May well have frozen the players until the customary management axe releases the pressure Sadly with this group any revival will at that stage I fear be temporary Worryingly doesn't seem to over the top..Christ we look shite
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 27, 2016 15:59:37 GMT
Firstly, playing Imbula and Pieters today is an utter disgrace. Playing Crouch without Adam is like playing a goalkeeper but saying he can't use his hands. Gcam (who I backed to start.) looked shite. Diouf was lost outwide. And the most worrying thing is Hughes had no idea how to change it. Bojan looks low on confidence having being played out of position then dropped (shite player management.) Imbula looks like he has no idea what he's doing..he needs clear instructions and help to develop discipline and a defensive aspect to his game. In 2016 we have relegation form, and Hughes hasn't sorted out the issues. I will hold back from calling for his head until the transfer window has closed..that's when his clock really starts ticking down if issues aren't sorted.
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 27, 2016 15:33:05 GMT
So we look clueless, and Hughes keeps it the same?? Clueless.
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 27, 2016 15:28:00 GMT
When not bring Charlie on, keep crouch on and get Sobhi on? 2 wingers, Charlie pinging them and the big man in the middle
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 27, 2016 15:11:37 GMT
Can someone please tell me why Imbula is still on this pitch..fucking disgrace
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 27, 2016 14:50:16 GMT
Whelan, Ryan, Bards and Allen been quality so far..Imbula and Erik been sluggish
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 27, 2016 14:38:00 GMT
That's what Whelan does; win the ball back when Imbula doesn't even challenge
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 27, 2016 14:30:39 GMT
Imbula again stood watching players walk past him..becoming a big liability defensively
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 27, 2016 14:19:08 GMT
Ryan looking very good so far
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 27, 2016 13:13:47 GMT
Presume Imbula will stand around doing nothing in the centre circle as Allen keeps charging backwards and forwards past him. What I'm concerned about..would've played Charlie personally, especially with Crouchy playing
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 25, 2016 7:39:11 GMT
Is the same loony owner still there? Murdoch? I think so. Quality
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 23, 2016 21:17:46 GMT
I disagree, Whelan, Allen and Bardsley were probably the only players that turned up at the weekend. Whelan read the game well, covered the centre halves who were constantly dragged out of position, and the full backs when the went floating out of position (Pieters.) Sexist remarks aside, I will 'man up' and try to comprehend what it is that makes those 3 outclass Whelan. Wow you've dropped the sexist card... Shows your intellect really. Anyway, He constantly fucks up attacks, abandons his position. He exposed Joey hundreds of times. He looked lost. Forgive me, telling people to man up to convince them to accept another's opinion shows an admirable intellect. Whelan is our most disciplined player. He sits in his position and reads the game very well. He rarely 'fucks up attack' as he isn't involved in attacks, his job is to cover, win the ball back, make blocks and keep the ball moving. Thinm Imbula exposes Whelan for most the second half of last season and exposed both Whelan and Allen against city as he offered no defensive (or attacking for that matter.) input whatsoever.
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 23, 2016 21:10:00 GMT
It's a shame you will never know quite how funny that opinion is. Accept it. Whelan looks out of place now. Man up and move on. You can't tell me that he's played amazing over the last 2 games. Allen, Adam and Imbula please. These 3 totally outclass Whelan. I disagree, Whelan, Allen and Bardsley were probably the only players that turned up at the weekend. Whelan read the game well, covered the centre halves who were constantly dragged out of position, and the full backs when the went floating out of position (Pieters.) Sexist remarks aside, I will 'man up' and try to comprehend what it is that makes those 3 outclass Whelan if you would card to explain?
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 23, 2016 21:02:01 GMT
How don't you see what he brings to the team? Against city he was constantly plugging the gaping holes between centre halves and full backs. You honestly think Imbula would have discipline to do the cover work Whelan does? Even with Allen helping Glenn cover we were still incredibly open against City due to Imbula doing, well I'm not quite sure what he was doing, but he perfectly highlighted why he can't play in a midfield, or by the looks a midfield 3 against quality sides. Adam is better than Whelan. It's a shame you will never know quite how funny that opinion is.
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 23, 2016 21:00:35 GMT
Upsets the balance of the 3. He's shite How don't you see what he brings to the team? Against city he was constantly plugging the gaping holes between centre halves and full backs. You honestly think Imbula would have discipline to do the cover work Whelan does? Even with Allen helping Glenn cover we were still incredibly open against City due to Imbula doing, well I'm not quite sure what he was doing, but he perfectly highlighted why he can't play in a midfield2, or by the looks a midfield 3 against quality sides.
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 23, 2016 19:38:10 GMT
Think this would be a very balanced solid side to play Everton: Jack (if fit.) Phil Geoff Ryan Muni Whelan Allen Adam Shaq/Jon Bo Arnie
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 22, 2016 21:39:19 GMT
The fact we have had a pre season to sort out the problems so present in the second half of last season yet appear to have failed is what is so concerning, and leads to the axe being well and truly out its case. People discuss signings, but in terms of the defence that isn't the most important thing nor will it make us look even remotely solid. We haven't worked on shape, players don't know their roles and a certain Mr. Wilson appears painfully right. Without work on the training pitch to address the recurring mistakes and errors in the defence, we will never reach our full potential and will always be at risk of the drop. I agree that all of those things are concerns. I'm just prepared to give the manager time to sort it out. He's earned it. It took a lot more than this for the axe to come out for the last bloke. I don't see why it should be different for this one. Think what is so frustrating is that the team we have has the potential to be a brilliant side. But last season we played well in less than half a dozen games. Think under TP we would never go down, however, although we've finished higher under Hughes, once we start struggling I don't think we will have it in us to scrap for safety...that's why I'd be slightly more hesitant to allow him to continue before the last bloke.
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 22, 2016 21:17:54 GMT
I don't really pay attention to posters history bar the stand out idiots who excel in certain topics but if true I guess the logic of a broken clock being right twice a day holds true. Are you not concerned by how we ended last season and have started this? We're a shambles at home now and we're struggling to create things whilst at the same time being weak as piss at the back. I hope it's just another slow start but I'm a lot more worried now than I was after 6 games last season. Hughes has done a fantastic job and has credit in the bank, but it's not unfair to express concerns about his ability to replace our spine which served us so well. It's more than expressing concerns though isn't it? What I object to is the rewriting of history and the attempts to do down what this manager has achieved. Of course there are concerns - we have the same old problems we finished and in some respects started last season with. However, the transfer window is still open and we're two games -two bloody games! - into the season. Forgive me if I'm not sharpening my axe or wetting the bed. The fact we have had a pre season to sort out the problems so present in the second half of last season yet appear to have failed is what is so concerning, and leads to the axe being well and truly out its case. People discuss signings, but in terms of the defence that isn't the most important thing nor will it make us look even remotely solid. We haven't worked on shape, players don't know their roles and a certain Mr. Wilson appears painfully right. Without work on the training pitch to address the recurring mistakes and errors in the defence, we will never reach our full potential and will always be at risk of the drop.
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 22, 2016 21:07:46 GMT
I agree it definatly has some mileage. Thing is though he's spent over £43 million on midfield recently,he spent £5.75 m on Joselu and skimped on the backline and Gk positions. He inherited a squad of solid players, we still miss N'zonzi, we were lucky Butland was allready here & ready to make the step up. I'm convinced the more he's diluting TP's core group the harder he is finding it, he did well at first, he was left a solid defence that was allready a unit, 2 Good Goalkeepers, 3 even. Basically a group of solid hardworking pro with a top mentality. I bet like when Pardew was named Crystal Palace manager and they did well, I bet Pardew couldn't believe his luck with the amount of good pro's at his disposal that will run through brick walls. WBA will be the same when Pulis leaves there, for a short period a new man will come in and add a 'bit' of adventure to the play and do well. There is a pattern. I was not Pulis' greatest fan towards the end but fuck me, this football we play now with little heart, ethic & idea is just as bad as Pulis' worst football. Shaqiri a luxury we don't need, this is the type we now are looking to sign more of, trechnically brilliant at the expense of industry, it's going to cost us sooner or later. The defence needs to be solid, we don't want to end up another Newcastle, Norwich and teams like that. The defence is the reason we never have. Hughes is intent on creating an attack that scores more than the team conceeds but we've not been scoring loads every season yet our defence gets worse each season. The tactics are poor, the big money buys are questionable, where is he going with it, does he even know? Who in the right mind trys to build a team from the midfield? What is the plan? People ask why has Hughes finished higher than Pulis then? Well he inherited all Pulis' good work in establishing an unfashionable club that struggled to get players, he inherited a very decent squad of solid hardworking players with a great team spirit. Any muppet could come in and add a bit of flair & adventure to that and do better, especially spending a shit load in the process and making the wage bill higer. Granted Pulis' wouldn't of done it's not his way of thinking but Hughes isn't all the reason he got 9th, he had a 'very' decent platform. Now that platform is changing for his own players but where is he going with it? I respect your opinion, but I think strengthening the midfield is paramount for most PL teams nowadays - especially coming off the back of last season. Unless of course you put 10 men behind the ball and hope to nick a goal a la Pulis, Hull, Burnley Leicester at their worst etc. Not being disrespectful to those teams but I'm more trying to offer a contrast to the more 'open' kinds of football played in the PL. Better teams have a commanding, creative and hard-working midfield to allow the defence robust protection and the attack a platform on which to hopefully flourish. I agree re: Nzonzi, as unfortunate as it is to drag him back into any argument. What he offered (alongside Whelan in moderately good form) was a platform for 14/15 Stoke to eventually flourish. Our propensity for being thrashed and carved apart at will in the past six months is due, as I see it, to Whelan having to shoulder almost all of the defensive shielding responsibilities, with Imbula offering next to nowt in this regard. You could play Allen and Whelan, and it'd probably work rather well and allow the front four to get to work with less worry about the back four; but you then drop our record signing, which simply won't happen unless he gets sold or has a horrendous run of form. Don't buy the Pulis obsession though. We still got battered on occasion due to our own deficiencies. Certainly agree with a lot you say here, especially in terms of Whelan shouldering the defensive work. I think at the moment, Imbula certainly is a liability off the ball, and with out horrendous defence, it is a big risk playing him as one of our midfield 2. What I've been saying is Hughes needs to drill some defensive shape and discipline into his preferred 11, so on the ball we can outplay teams, and off the ball all players (including imbula and other flair players.) know their roles and exactly where to be. Until Hughes does this, we will chop and change between his favoured team, and a more direct defensive team when he needs to get results.
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 22, 2016 20:59:48 GMT
The points he raises are valid. As we dismantle the core the football is regressing. It's not hard to improve a Pulis side by adding a sprinkling of flair here and there but as time goes by and the core players start to struggle and need replacing it can fall apart quickly. I know it's been done to death but the attempt to replace Huth has been poor and Ryan's starting to struggle. We are getting 4 goal drubbings regularly now. I'm not saying it's all doom and gloom and I'm not saying I want Pulis back, but I agree with the poster who raises very valid concerns. Since the back end of last season we seem to be falling apart. That particular poster, in his million and one previous incarnations, was never off Pulis' back even in the good times. We could have a committee of Mourinho, Fergie and Brian Clough's head in a jar managing the club and winning 5-0 every week and he'd find something to moan about. What I take issue with is the idea that it's 'not hard' to get a side ingrained to eschew flair playing good football - and more effective football. Sorry, that's bollocks. You can't give one bloke credit for spending £100m to finish 13th and then say the bloke who consistently does better than that has it easy. Think it actually has been a reasonably straightforward for Hughes to re-energise the squad, add some forward threat on top of the Tp dressing room, spirit and organisation. Take nothing away he has pushed the team forward on and off the pitch, however I think he has leant on much of what TP left more than some will admit. This is highlighted by the fact now Hughes has all but dismantled the TP spine of the team, we have been very open and stuffed a hell of a lot. We need a balance between what Hughes has brought to the table whilst maintaining good shape and a solid defence.
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 22, 2016 10:55:43 GMT
What's dim is you claiming I was devastated by Pulis and hate the fact Hughes has finished higher in the league than him. The issue is, every season under Hughes I've looked and hoped we would sort the defence out, sort the shape out. However time and time again the same issues continue and are not eradicated. We look no different to the end of last season which saw some of our worst performances in the prem. Again, I hope it will be sorted, but I feel time is ticking. Do you remember who posted this? "ave to agree with the message whatver we may or may not think of the writer of the article. Whatever our frustrations are with TP at the moment I firmly believe that the minute he goes it will signal a downward spiral once again and we will be in the Championship end of! In TP I trust" What a shame you can't have the same belief in the bloke who has got 3 top ten finishes in three years. H I can recognise the job Hughes has done, and that he had done well to transform our club, and push it forward on and off the pitch. The issue is, I haven't seen him see obvious issues in the team and change them. I don't believe he knows how to get the best out of the team due to him being naive and passive. Hughes is a good manager, capable of decent top 10 finishes. But nothing more than that. He would be a great manager if he could play his favourite team, whilst keeping it solid off the ball whilst tearing teams a new one with it. Last season even with injuries we should've finished top 7. That's how good our current squad could be, yet I don't think Hughes can push us to our full potential.
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Post by riponstokie on Aug 22, 2016 10:18:05 GMT
He showed last season that he hasn't got the discipline for it. He's another who's more suited to playing with Whelan and not instead of. Spot on, Cameron has shown in fullback, centre half and midfield he has such a lack of discipline he naively drifts out of position so often. No way could he play the anchor role in midfield.
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Who?
Aug 22, 2016 10:02:44 GMT
via mobile
Post by riponstokie on Aug 22, 2016 10:02:44 GMT
Why you are a dim tosser.. Pulis going was 100% the correct move..Hughes now seems to be struggling to iron out recurring mistakes in the team, continues to be unable to implement a decent shape to the defence and as a result we seem to be struggling to push on. Right now we have the potential to be a very special team, but with a defence that is a joke and no sort of shape without the ball, we will never see the best being brought out of our team. That's what devastates me more than anything. How is it being dim stating fact? You said if we went down Hughes would never get us back up and we would need someone who knows how to scrap. Well plenty of managers have got out of that league without going all Pulis. I'll take another 9th this season and trust Hughes to sort out any deficiencies. He certainly knows a lot more than some of the armchair managers on here. H What's dim is you claiming I was devastated by Pulis and hate the fact Hughes has finished higher in the league than him. The issue is, every season under Hughes I've looked and hoped we would sort the defence out, sort the shape out. However time and time again the same issues continue and are not eradicated. We look no different to the end of last season which saw some of our worst performances in the prem. Again, I hope it will be sorted, but I feel time is ticking.
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