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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Apr 24, 2024 14:12:24 GMT
Spain has a 16 year old kid playing on the wing. Lamine Yamal. This tournament could still be too early for him, but he could make an impact and is a super talented lad. Yeah he looks brilliant. They’ve got to learn from how they used Pedri and not make the same mistakes. And with Rodri running midfield they are technically very good. I remember them battering Italy in the semis in Euro 2020. 1 down with minutes to go and I was waiting for them to lump it into the box. No. Pass, pass, pass, pass, pass.... and they lose the game. Might be the same story this year
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Apr 23, 2024 14:28:56 GMT
France by a mile, if they are in the right place mentally they are the favourites Spain, they look like they used to look before that golden spell when they won everything : good players but lacking killer striker Quarters but maybe no further? Portugal might be more likely to score but are they still beholden to Ronaldo Dutch look terrible The Spanish young players look terrifyingly good tbh. A striker is their obvious issue but if they can spread them through their wide attackers then they can go far. Spain has a 16 year old kid playing on the wing. Lamine Yamal. This tournament could still be too early for him, but he could make an impact and is a super talented lad.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Apr 23, 2024 9:45:30 GMT
There have been positives for me.
The way in which he's handled the pressure. It's easy when things are going well, but he's come through some dark days - probably a new managerial experience for him.
The way the players fight more and give up less.
He has got more from certain individuals too. Jordan Thompson looked like a proper DM on Saturday, and Bae improving too.
Also I was impressed by the way he set up and talked tactically after saturday's performance. He wants to attack and talked about playing through and getting his 8s in the box, and getting the full backs and wingers to switch between going outside and coming inside. Good football to watch.
Also, let's not be too quick to dismiss some of the palyers. Josh Laurent is a prime example. I thought he was excellent on Saturday, and it's no coincidence that he's had a run of games since coming back from injury, getting more fitness and match sharpness - which then leads to confidence. The same could be said of Hoever, and I think Wilmot will improve for the same reason. The same could happen for Niall ennis after a pre season, injury free and as he gets to know the team.
Looking forward to a strong finish and next season.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Apr 17, 2024 10:26:57 GMT
I would argue that SS is trying to solve problems that were not of his making.
The problems were created by Ricky Martin & Alex Neil with some high risk or poor recruitment last summer.
Too many new players, too many with no English/Championship experience.
On the postive side, this season will have given them a crash course in life in the Championship, and players like Junior, Berger, Bae, Leris, the difficult Mmmaee, as well as the later additions like Cundle and Manhoef should all benefit from this next season.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Apr 17, 2024 10:09:55 GMT
When Jon walters scored his first and Stoke's fourth early in the second half, I thought we should at least get a draw and extra time...
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Apr 16, 2024 9:10:24 GMT
In my opinion, for what it's worth, we may have a good 'un. He somehow fits with Stoke and the supporters. Also, he is proving he's up for a fight and has got the bottle to deal with the difficult days as well as the runaway success he had with Plymouth in league 1. He had never lost 3 on the bounce before he came here. He's got the players together and fighting. The results in the Championship are all over the place right now. Form seems to have gone out of the window. I look at the fixtures of those 8 or so teams battling to avoid the drop and think they're going to go for us - but quite the opposite. Some teams are getting seemingly impossible results. In fairness, just as we did at Preston & Hull away, and at home to the Baggies with 22 minutes to go. This team is showing more character than we've seen for some time. Strength in adversity. I think if we survive relegation it might be a galvanising effect. If we get relegated though I can’t see him surviving. I agree. When we appointed him I must admit I didn't know much about him, other than the somewhat uninspiring fact that he had played for Crewe Alex. I then found out he had been in the same FA Youth Cup winning team at Everton as Wayne Rooney and had captained England at under 19 level. He knows his football. I was also impressed that in the season before Plymouth's promotion, they missed out on the play offs on the last day of the season after getting thumped 5-0 - maybe MK Dons or Peterborough? So after that big disappointment, and as somebody, maybe the wise FullerMagic on here has previously said, with Plymouth at 25/1 for promotion the following season, to storm League 1 ahead of Ipswich was a terrific achievement. I like the way he talks about how he wants to play too. If he can find the players to suit his system, it could be entertaining next season. Ever the optimist, I see us finishing quite strongly. Hoping for a win on Saturday, a result at Saints as they are firmly rooted in the play offs and will maybe be resting or protecting players, followed by a win on the last day against a Brizzle City with nothing to play for. Dare I dream of 7 points out of the next 9? Keep the faith, as a former successful manager always you to say in his programme notes, Give the lads your best and come on you Potters!
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Apr 15, 2024 15:12:17 GMT
In my opinion, for what it's worth, we may have a good 'un.
He somehow fits with Stoke and the supporters. Also, he is proving he's up for a fight and has got the bottle to deal with the difficult days as well as the runaway success he had with Plymouth in league 1. He had never lost 3 on the bounce before he came here.
He's got the players together and fighting. The results in the Championship are all over the place right now. Form seems to have gone out of the window. I look at the fixtures of those 8 or so teams battling to avoid the drop and think they're going to go for us - but quite the opposite. Some teams are getting seemingly impossible results.
In fairness, just as we did at Preston & Hull away, and at home to the Baggies with 22 minutes to go. This team is showing more character than we've seen for some time.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Apr 15, 2024 15:02:44 GMT
I believe that was the first match I went to as a kid. Can't really remember much.
The next was the following February against League Leaders Leeds United. I remember that one. See March4's excellent 50 years ago thread for more. I've only recently thrown away a scrapbook of newspaper cuttings I made as a happy 9 year old after that Leeds comeback win. Slightly embarrasing...
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Apr 4, 2024 15:30:16 GMT
I’m coming up from Herts with a car full of daughters ,(one coming down from from Manchester) and a boyfriend,he’s Chelsea but loves watching us…we are all stupidly excited ….block 22….usual beautiful shit. A couple of goals in front of the Boothen,go completely berserk and embrace complete strangers,set off back down south debating whether to do A50,M1 or M6 . On the road...
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Jan 16, 2024 14:45:09 GMT
Amazing free kick. Look at the keeper's starting position and the wall. Defensively they set him up to show him the other side of the goal.
Instead, Lewis backed himself (see what I nearly did there) to hit the othe top corner, where the keeper was standing.
It was hit with such bend, accuracy and sheer pace, that even though it was fairly close to him, he couldn't get it.
It brushed bar and post and hit the inside of the side netting. Almost unvelievable.
One of the best free kicks I've seen. No keeper is saving that.
Not many in The prem can do that, never mind the Champo.
As Nigel Johnson would have said, "Ahhhhbsolutely top drawer"
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Jan 16, 2024 14:26:39 GMT
And so I believe Alan Hudson began his preparations for his Stoke debut against Liverpool, in his own inimitable way.
I was lucky enough to be at one of his book launches at Trentham Gardens, an event hosted by Nigel Johnson. I would say this was in summer 2008 just before the start of our first season in the Prem.
Nigel: "You're debut was against Liverpool, and Bill Shankly said it was the best debut he had ever seen." Huddy: "Well I don't know how. I'd been on a bender for 3 weeks!"
Not just a bender, not even a 3 day bender, this was a 3 week bender. Note to the Stoke nutritionists...
But as everybody who watched him back in those fantastic days knew, Alan Hudson walks on water.
He also obviously plays the beautiful game on Vodka.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Jan 9, 2024 15:16:38 GMT
That's a good review that brings back a lot of good memories.
I think that's Brian Talbot and not Tony Kelly in the opening signings sequence though...
Talbot was signed from Arsenal from memory, and really made the team tick.
I remember them beating Blackburn 1-0, but they created so many chances I knew we had the makings of a decent team.
The big wins against Leeds and Sheff Utd, plus 6 v Grimsby in the cup. No doubt somebody will correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the Grimsby keeper taunted with "Gypo, gypo" all night long? When we played was it Shrewsbury in the New Year, we scored really early and I thought here comes another bucket load of goals, but that's how it stayed.
Some characters in that team, with Ooh Georgie Berry, the young Bould & Dixon, Zico, Spider & Foxy. Bertschin & Morgan up front didn't seem to be that good, but in fairness scored a few goals. Happy days.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Apr 24, 2023 9:24:34 GMT
50 years ago today, the world’s media including Star Soccer and Hugh Johns were at the Victoria Ground to witness Bobby Charlton’s 600th game for ManU. Jimmy Greenhoff presented the England legend with a commemorative plaque before kick off. Our biggest crowd of the season (36,000+) were in attendance to see an exciting game between rejuvenated Stoke who had won the 4 previous games and the Red Devils who were still haunted by relegation. George Best had been suspended and transfer listed by Tommy Docherty for going AWOL. Stoke started well and in spite of attack after attack all prompted by the impressive George Eastham, went into the half time break goalless. The second half started in similar fashion and then inevitability the visitors scored a goal in the 65th minute against the run of a play. The goal scorer? - a certain Lou Macari. His shot was deflected past John Farmer by Alan Bloor. Stoke redoubled their efforts and earned a deserved equaliser 10 minutes later. Pej hit a speculative shot that Alex Stepney inexplicably spilled into the path of Jimmy Greenhoff who made no mistake. Stoke continued to press for a winner and Eastham sent Big John clear with a beautiful through ball in the 82nd minute. 2-1 to Stoke. Surely we had done enough for victory in a game we had controlled against a poor United team. However, Willie Morgan stabbed home controversially after a scramble to make the final score 2-2. Farmer chased after the referee in vain claiming the winger had handled the ball. The point pretty much made us mathematically safe from relegation and also eased ManU’s worries. The game was sadly marred by violence before, during and afterwards. Dozens of businesses in Stoke were smashed up and police injured by flying bottles. 2 cars were overturned. Nearly 40 fans were arrested, three quarters of them from Stoke. Train carriages were also wrecked on the way back to Manchester. That was the first match I went to. Would have been 8 the week before. Strangely, I went with a friend of one of our neighbours - who happened to be something like the Chief Constable. I remember the traffic cops waving his car through as we drove away. Can't remember much about the game. I knew it was 2-2, but maybe only because I had checked. For some reason, I always thought it was 1972 as well. The only thing that really sticks in my mind was Bobby Charlton's hair. That comb over seemed to fly about a yard behind him like a kite. Strange to think that team fighting relegation should have won the league 2 years later. What a difference a certain Alan Hudson made...
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Sept 23, 2022 11:48:45 GMT
Not a bit no. To be honest I’m sick of arguing with Man United fans about Scholes v Gerrard. I’ll leave it at this. Scholes was more technically gifted, I’d agree with that. But Gerrard made the most his ability, was the a player who dragged average Liverpool sides to champions league, FA Cup etc glory. There is absolutely no way Paul Scholes would have had that effect on a team. He was a loner and played for himself, exemplified by his “I’m too good for England” attitude. To be honest I’m absolutely stunned by the lack of respect shown to Gerrard on this message board overall. It’s probably because he was more of a thorn in the side than Scholes was to Stoke fans Gerrard played for himself way more than Scholes did imo, ignoring better options in favour of going it alone. Not sure how Scholes played for himself, he was the definition of a team player. Not sure Gerrard was often a particularly massive thorn in our side was he? He scored three goals against us in eight seasons and two of those were in games we absolutely battered them in. Lampard was a player I didn’t realise was as good as he was til I saw him boss games against us. I would agree with that for what it's worth. I think Paul Scholes might have given the best performance at Stoke I saw during our Premier League years. They beat us 2-0 and he played centre mid, a little deeper than normal. Everything went through him. The ball kept coming back to him in space and he would hit another pass, often first time to stretch us. It was more like a Spanish style of footballer. I thought he was going to walk the ball into the net at one point. The problem with England... mainly I think successive managers trying to shoehorn in the best 11 players in the country. You could argue there wasn't room for Scholes, Gerrard and Lampard in the same team, especially if it meant Paul Scholes was shoved out to the left of midfield. As an example of taking those tough selection decisions, Alf Ramsey had the balls to drop Jimmy Greaves, who may still have the best goals to games ratio in an England shirt. (Although that honour may still belong to our own Freddie Steele...) With braver selection, we could have had a more balanced midfield and stronger bench. When we went out of the Euros to Portugal, they bought on Rui Costa who killed us in extra time. In contrast, Sven brought on Darius Vassell. I rest my case.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 23, 2022 12:09:09 GMT
I am always reluctant to change managers, especially when one has put together a brand new team.
All this has to be set against the context of absolutely culling the existing wage bill.
I think there is a good team there trying to get out, and a bit of patience and confidence for them will ultimately bear fruit.
The lad from Brentford looked good on Saturday, but again with Delap, we're starting with a scratch side. Put Tymon, Souttar & Powell into that line up and it's a different team. We're getting done in behind the centre backs at the moment, which wouldn't happen if Souttar was in the team.
This team may well surprise us yet. Hang in there for a while and enjoy watching them develop.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Jun 23, 2022 16:57:07 GMT
Always seemed to have some much time. Fantastic player with vision, passing, awareness - the complete attacking midfielder. Happy Birthday Huddy.
Love that Derby video. They won the league that year didn't they? That god awful Baseball Ground, but 2 of my favourite ever goals from Jimmy Greenhoff. What a superb volley he had. Still one of the best I've seen to this day.
And that header - amazing. A fairly crap cross that was behind him with not much pace - he virtually made the goal out of nothing. Running back away from goal and twisting the header with power into the other corner. Fantastic technique. 2 great players in a very good team. Should have won the first division that year...
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Apr 28, 2022 8:18:35 GMT
Hudson for me too. Just made the game look so easy. Always seemed to have time and space. Great awareness, and for all the drinking tales he was a great trainer and super fit too. He reckons that saved him when he was knocked down.
I was fortunate enough to be at one of his book launches at Trentham Gardens, probably 2008. Nigel Johnson was the MC, and he reminded Huddy that Bill Shankly had said that his debut for Stoke v Liverpool was the best debut he'd ever seen.
Hudson's answer? "Well I don't know how. I'd been on a bender for 3 weeks". That's weeks, not nights. Apparently disillusioned after leaving Chelsea - I think he fell out with Dave Sexton. He would be the first to say that Waddo basically saved him.
For those who may think Gazza was a better dribbler. watch Huddy's England debut v World Champions West Germany. He goes past players like they weren't there.
And how cool was he? That guy could look cool having a shit.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Apr 14, 2022 12:04:45 GMT
14 years ago this week we played Bristol City at this time. Massive game on the promotion run in, something like 3rd v 4th. I remember I was going with some mates and we were going to meet at 12 noon for a few pints before the game. The kick off was put back to 5pm for the TV. We didn't change the meeting time, just had a couple of hours extra drinking, I suspect like a lot of the 20 odd thousand there that raucous afternoon. Beehive, Staff of Life, another pub on London Road and The Wellington, before the troop over the A500 and up to the ground. The atmosphere and noise in the stadium was electric. Boozy and boisterous. Can't really remember the first goal, but I know Mama Sidibe scored it and I think with a header in front of the South Stand. I clearly remember the second though. A ball was played up to Ricardo Fuller on the half way line who won a brave 50/50 challenge to play Mama in deep inside their half. It was usually the other way around and I would have been more confident to see Ric bearing down on goal. But for all those who knock Mama, let me tell you he galloped into the box and finished so coolly. Majestic - and mayhem. 2 up inside around half an hour. We went on to win 2-1. Gary Johnson, Brizzle's manager at the time said that his players had never experienced anything like it. They couldn't hear each other on the pitch. Tony Pulis had been building the 12th man thing for some time and it was another of those occasions when the entire stadium seemed to be energising the team. A good day that ended up with us gate crashing a wedding at the North Stafford before getting a taxi to the Jaflong up Anley, before a , err, late one in The Sportsman. Happy days. Won't be quite the same this weekend, but, I'm a Stoke City supporter, so there is always next season... Enjoy it anyway, and never let the football spoil a fantastic day out. You sound like a right pisshead!!!!!!! A day without beer is like a day without sunshine...
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Apr 14, 2022 12:03:51 GMT
It was a 4.1 win because Sidebe goals counted double 😁 Like it. Cometh the hour...
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Apr 14, 2022 8:23:01 GMT
14 years ago this week we played Bristol City at this time. Massive game on the promotion run in, something like 3rd v 4th.
I remember I was going with some mates and we were going to meet at 12 noon for a few pints before the game. The kick off was put back to 5pm for the TV. We didn't change the meeting time, just had a couple of hours extra drinking, I suspect like a lot of the 20 odd thousand there that raucous afternoon.
Beehive, Staff of Life, another pub on London Road and The Wellington, before the troop over the A500 and up to the ground. The atmosphere and noise in the stadium was electric. Boozy and boisterous.
Can't really remember the first goal, but I know Mama Sidibe scored it and I think with a header in front of the South Stand. I clearly remember the second though. A ball was played up to Ricardo Fuller on the half way line who won a brave 50/50 challenge to play Mama in deep inside their half. It was usually the other way around and I would have been more confident to see Ric bearing down on goal. But for all those who knock Mama, let me tell you he galloped into the box and finished so coolly. Majestic - and mayhem. 2 up inside around half an hour.
We went on to win 2-1. Gary Johnson, Brizzle's manager at the time said that his players had never experienced anything like it. They couldn't hear each other on the pitch. Tony Pulis had been building the 12th man thing for some time and it was another of those occasions when the entire stadium seemed to be energising the team.
A good day that ended up with us gate crashing a wedding at the North Stafford before getting a taxi to the Jaflong up Anley, before a , err, late one in The Sportsman. Happy days.
Won't be quite the same this weekend, but, I'm a Stoke City supporter, so there is always next season...
Enjoy it anyway, and never let the football spoil a fantastic day out.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Mar 16, 2022 17:08:37 GMT
Ha, ha, yes I do. But I actually explained why this time! I think there is a danger we look at "form" as the barometer of a manager's success, and there is of course way more to it. Also, on at least the three previous changes, things have actually got worse when we've changed manager. On top of that, apart from possibly Paul Lambert, the other two looked like decent appointments. Recent history bears me out! My call would be to stick with MON and let him finish the, oh no, I'm going to have to use a nu-football phrase I absolutely hate... the, the project I think we're misdiagnosing the problem though - it wasn't sacking the manager that was the problem, it was getting the replacement wrong. The structure of the club isn't hugely helpful either, but those managers were all 100% rightly sacked. The issue with the project thing for my money is that it's no longer clear what that is. We're chopping and changing tactics and personnel hoping for something that sticks. What's the plan? I think its getting the wage bill into shape for a Championship club without parachute payments. He's done well with that but it's still got the out of contract players to go. Can he build a squad to get us out of this league? I think the answer is yes, but he hasn't proved so good at managing a big relatively talented squad (for this league), shuffling the pack and producing consistent results. He certainly hasn't had much luck along the way either. For what it's worth, I would certainly have stuck with Mark Hughes. I don't think you can say that was 100% right. Easy to say with hindsight, I know, but I think with the remaining fixtures we had, he would have kept us in the league. Didn't Huddersfield stay up the season we went down? With regard to managerial change, that's my point. The sacking bit is easy - it's the replacement that is tricky. How many here would have had Chris Hughton after Nathan Jones? He's got a great track record, but for whatever reason, it just didn't work for him at Forest. And how many would have had Cooper? Not nearly as many at the time. Each change feels like a roll of the dice. For me personally, MON has shown enough that I believe he is capable of getting us promoted, then has a decent chance of keeping us there. A nice run of wins is still possible before the end of the season, hopefully starting tonight.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Mar 16, 2022 16:48:40 GMT
I know I'm going to be swimming against the tide here, but I would keep MON. Here's why. 1. He's a decent, intelligent and I think, honest guy who has a track record with NI of getting teams to punch waaay above their weight. 2. He brings much more than team management and coaching. His work on the cost side of the club has been incredible and swift. 3. His Stoke City has played some decent football. After West Brom, how many of us thought we might challenge for automatic promotion? 4. Some signings have been good. Lewis Baker class, Jagielka and Sawyers were smart, Jacob Brown is getting better every season, Wilmot and Thompson promising. 5. He has put his trust in younger players. The age of our squad has come down. 6. I believe he can get us promoted, and if so, he is a perfect manager to re-establish us in the Premier League. In fact, he has been so drastic in cutting cost (Davies and Batth as recently as Jan) that he has left himself with almost a scratch team. Bursik (injury) & Bonham haven't played much, Moore coming back from injury, Baker (not much game time), Campbell & Powell back from injury, Bidace not much game time, and all a long way from a proper pre-season. Add to that some bad luck with injuries and it hasn't been easy. Bad management or a necessary evil to balance the books? You decide. We're going through a tough patch and there is more work to do on the wage bill in the summer. We sometimes have to stick with a guy when the going gets tough. Our recent form on changing managers hasn't produced good results. Let him finish getting the squad more manageable, get rid of some high earners, add some new players and hope for a season with less injuries. This time next year let's hope we are a bit nearer to getting out of this incredibly hard, but exciting league. Good luck Michael and hang in there. O'Neill in. You always want to stick with the manager well beyond when the going gets tough to the point that it's irredeemable though Okey Ha, ha, yes I do. But I actually explained why this time! I think there is a danger we look at "form" as the barometer of a manager's success, and there is of course way more to it. Also, on at least the three previous changes, things have actually got worse when we've changed manager. On top of that, apart from possibly Paul Lambert, the other two looked like decent appointments. Recent history bears me out! My call would be to stick with MON and let him finish the, oh no, I'm going to have to use a nu-football phrase I absolutely hate... the, the project
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Mar 16, 2022 16:14:26 GMT
I know I'm going to be swimming against the tide here, but I would keep MON.
Here's why.
1. He's a decent, intelligent and I think, honest guy who has a track record with NI of getting teams to punch waaay above their weight. 2. He brings much more than team management and coaching. His work on the cost side of the club has been incredible and swift. 3. His Stoke City has played some decent football. After West Brom, how many of us thought we might challenge for automatic promotion? 4. Some signings have been good. Lewis Baker class, Jagielka and Sawyers were smart, Jacob Brown is getting better every season, Wilmot and Thompson promising. 5. He has put his trust in younger players. The age of our squad has come down. 6. I believe he can get us promoted, and if so, he is a perfect manager to re-establish us in the Premier League.
In fact, he has been so drastic in cutting cost (Davies and Batth as recently as Jan) that he has left himself with almost a scratch team. Bursik (injury) & Bonham haven't played much, Moore coming back from injury, Baker (not much game time), Campbell & Powell back from injury, Bidace not much game time, and all a long way from a proper pre-season. Add to that some bad luck with injuries and it hasn't been easy.
Bad management or a necessary evil to balance the books? You decide. We're going through a tough patch and there is more work to do on the wage bill in the summer.
We sometimes have to stick with a guy when the going gets tough. Our recent form on changing managers hasn't produced good results.
Let him finish getting the squad more manageable, get rid of some high earners, add some new players and hope for a season with less injuries.
This time next year let's hope we are a bit nearer to getting out of this incredibly hard, but exciting league.
Good luck Michael and hang in there. O'Neill in.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Feb 16, 2022 12:28:20 GMT
Haven't posted for a while, but my opinion (for what it's worth) is that the play offs are definitely still on.
We're improving and have come through a run of indifferent form and disappointing results. There's a third of the season left and teams will drop points. The 3 teams above us playing last night all failed to win.
If there is ever a time to find a bit of form and confidence and put a run together, it's now.
A couple of winnable home games coming up - if we could win those it's 10 out of 12 in the league.
All to play for!
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Nov 17, 2021 9:26:57 GMT
I think one of their key problems was they(the board members) all seemed to disagree with each other about everything! I liked Gunnar, diligent man but he clearly didn't get on with Gudjon Gudjon was good fun, very up & down he always chased a win & wanted talented players on the pitch had we not had injury crisis from hell we would have gone up as champions instead of the plays offs (what fun that was though) & imho he would have kept his job that summer the season before though he got wrong really his biggest mistake was Dadasson, we don't need him we need Gunlauggsson permanently after that first loan deal (I know he came back later) I remember Ricki Dadasson making his debut. I think it was an FA Cup match one night (?) against Barnsley. He came on with about 10 minutes to go at 2-2 and of course scored the winner with pretty much his first touch. Bedlam! What I thought was a fairytale turned out to be Brothers Grimm...
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on May 28, 2021 11:37:15 GMT
My two penneth.
Bielsa's done a fantastic job at Leeds, just as TP and MH did at Stoke.
MH delivered the best football I've seen at Stoke in over 50 years, and that includes the red & white tinted memories of my childhood 70s heroes.
The first half against Manchester City in 2015(?) was spell binding, breath taking football. Bojan and Shaqiri were drifting past the best the Premier League had to offer. Marko brilliant too breaking in to a centre forward position from the left. The best I've ever seen a Stoke side play.
I would have kept Hughes. (But with 20/20 hindsight, left the recruitment to somebody else) A big clear the air or re-bonding trip after the Cov debacle. He would have kept us up I'm sure. It may have only put off the inevitable. He would have gone at the end of that season and we've messed up 3 replacements since.
Don't post so much these days, but for what it's worth, I have high hopes for MON. It might take a year or two to get rid of some, but with our academy bearing fruit, the future looks bright.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Sept 16, 2020 13:56:08 GMT
Another excellent piece. Sound observations and an objective voice amongst all the reactionary, screaming hysteria will be missed.
Some of us could learn from Martin's words that it is possible to be a supporter and not a "happy clapper", objective and not a moaner, to enjoy being a part of Stoke City and be unashamedly proud of our fantastic and historic football club.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 4, 2020 10:58:26 GMT
One of the first games I went to, Mike Pejic lashed a free kick past David Harvey when we beat Leeds 3-2. But more recently, I remember Liam Lawrence scoring a pearler against QPR the season we were promoted. In fairness, both of those goals the ball may have been touched to them...
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Feb 17, 2020 15:09:20 GMT
Anybody can beat anybody in this league. From what I saw, only highlights on Stoke City world, I was impressed with QPR. They moved the ball pretty well and their passing into the box and movement off the ball belied a team in their run of form and league position.
That said, Nick Powell's pass into Sam Clucas for the first goal was a beautiful thing. Back to the play, superb vision and one-touch execution. Tidy finish from Clucas too.
Baath and Chester still getting to know each other and look a bit rusty. Be nice to see Ryan back in the team. I think him and Chester or Collins might be a decent centre back pairing. He must have considered playing Clucas in McClean's position. Might see that satdee.
Losing away to a team who played well isn't going to define this season. Get back on the horse and beat Cardiff at the weekend and we'll all feel a little happier.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Jan 29, 2020 14:50:01 GMT
Maybe the fans are just supporting the players? Maybe the fans understand that we are in the second tier now and therefore our players are likely to be limited and unable to provide performances of robotic perfection like you seem to demand? No. Stoke fans like hard workers. Footballing ability doesn’t matter if they work hard. It’s always (as long as I can remember) been the case. It’s odd. And it’s not support when you’re talking about them on here. This is the place to be objective. To talk about players honestly. Gregory was always going to be liked for the reasons outlined. Nothing to do with supporting our players. I respect your opinion and there is no doubt that Stoke supporters love a hard worker. I totally disagree that Stokies don't appreciate footballing ability. Sir Stan, Alan Hudson, Jimmy Greenhoff, Geoff Salmons, Tony Kelly, Peter Beagrie, Peter Hoekstra, Bjarni, Mark Stein, Lee Hendrie, Ricardo Fuller, Bojan, Shaqiri were all big favourites based on their ability as opposed to their workrate. Must be way more that people can think of. I think you're wrong on this. Stoke supporters will put up with a less talented player if he works hard, and like and respect him, but they love the classy footballers. EDIT - clearly didn't read the rest of the thread. i seem to be in the majority here!
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