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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on May 12, 2015 14:40:11 GMT
Apropos of nothing, this is a rather interesting tweet re the Wenger revolution from anti-drugs in cycling journo Paul Kimmage: Questions should be asked. And more to the point, and what the footballing public needs to know is what the hell was Physio Gary Lewin waiting to shove where?
More shocks, says Merse. 240v in the Arsenal... first team squad??
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on May 11, 2015 10:41:11 GMT
what a load of shit!!!! and what a ludicrous, overly dramatic analogy! using wounded so;diers to try to make a point is disrespectful and cheap and quite simply disgusting!!! the 2 things are nothing alike whatsoever!!!! and are these the "Traditional Labour voters" that do nothing other than whinge like fuck because of the utter mess that Labour have made of S-O-T????? maybe it's about time these traditional supporters spent less time whinging and got off their arses and created some change when they get the chance to do so instead of less than 50% even bothering to turn out for the vote! ridiculous post all round. i'm no fan of the tories but why the hell should any footballer have to keep their mouth shut on a topic completely unrelated to football????? it's not disrespectful to anyone in Stoke in any way, shape or form and if you find it so then i suggest you get your priorities in order instead of worrying about what political allegiances a footballer has I think its a perfectly reasonable analogy, mick. His tweets were crass and insensitive and he works in an area, like it or not, that does not widely appreciate Tory dogma. One thing is indisputable in OS's post, Jon Walters clearly isn't very bright upstairs and has received exactly what his idiotic actions deserved. I agree. OldStokie's post didn't seem so outrageous to me either.
In fact, Mick, your post contains more than the usual amount of stereotypical generalisations, even for you.
Surely anybody in the public eye with a modicum of common sense knows that the smartest thing they can say about politics or religion is nothing at all.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on May 6, 2015 12:56:52 GMT
I'm with you on this, Rob.
I find it quite amusing how the financial results of the Premier League clubs are announced, and some CEO puts out a statement saying how this justifies the strategic plans and business model we have put in place, blah blah... Bullshit! You've just had an extra £30 million hand out with virtually no additional costs attached!
I love Tony's optimism, but us breaking into the top 6 isn't optimistic, it's pure fantasy.
Read somewhere this week, (might have been on here) that Chelsea are the 3rd largest in terms of wages at £192 million, behind both Manchester clubs. That's more than the combined wage bills of the teams currently in 7th, 8th and 9th, Southampton, Swansea and West Ham!
Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool are desperately trying to keep up at around £100 - £150m respectively.
The leap in wages required to join those top 6 clubs is impossible for anybody else in the league. For the foreseeable future, it will be ever thus.
Southampton have done brilliantly this season, as did Everton last season, and that's the reality for us. With a fair wind, form, fitness and confidence plus the odd inspired signing, we might have a season or two in 7th, maybe 6th if one of the others blows it. But 2 or 3 aren't going to blow it all in the same season.
I think PC/Bet365 would need to sanction something like a 150% increase in the wage bill to even give us a starting chance, and it is just not going to happen.
It's not negative, it's fantastic, but this is going to be as good as it gets.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on May 6, 2015 8:25:57 GMT
I'm not sure PC needs any business advice from me.
If we look coldly at the economics of filling in the corners, I'm just not sure it is significant in the modern business of football.
The cost/benefit analysis would surely show a big initial capital spend, with no great increase in turnover, revenue or profit. All matchday revenues are now dwarfed by TV income. It's actually less important financially now than it was before the bigger TV money.
From a "club" point of view it would be good, and it's a little frustrating to see Derby, Leicester etc pull bigger crowds than us. But, we're probably right at the top of our historical average attendances.
In addition to the cost of the work on the seating, there would also need significant additional investment in the entire infrastructure of the stadium. More parking, better access/egress, more policing/stewarding, more catering etc. Then we've got to sell all the additional tickets, not just for Prem games but League Cup and FA Cup games. We can't do that now in the early rounds.
Finally, would it make The Brit less harsh? We know that teams don't like coming to the blasted heath, with the wind and the rain swirling and howling around.
So for all those reasons, I can see why the board are not rushing in. They're nobody's fools.
Our medium term financial security has been secured by staying in this League for 7 seasons. We owe a bigger debt to our former manager for keeping us in this league in those very tough first 2 or 3 seasons after promotion than some supporters are prepared to give credit for.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on May 1, 2015 11:27:58 GMT
I'm with Staffs Oatcake on this one. Don't get beat. They have Arsenal(a),Man City (h)and Palace (a)after us. Nil points?
Can't see us keeping a clean sheet or scoring twice, so 1-1 it is.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Apr 27, 2015 9:32:27 GMT
That game sums up this season. Frustration and what might have been.
We are so, so close to having a cracking side, with strength in depth, pace and some guile. I just can't believe how many soft goals we've conceded and how many chances we've missed.
This is no way meant to be a criticism of the team. Quite the opposite. They have done a decent job, especially given the serious injuries to key players and the constant stream of niggling injuries to virtually the whole squad. But, almost since those early points were lost at home, this has been a "what might have been" season.
With a settled confident back 4, and, as Suffolk mentions, new players on the right hand side, we really are on the brink of something. I kind of hope we keep Asmir and that Mame Diouf takes a step forward, and we really have a go next season. We really could be the surprise package if it all clicks.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Apr 17, 2015 8:42:38 GMT
Tough game, and looks like a low scoring draw to me.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Apr 17, 2015 8:40:48 GMT
Not every player is blessed with the ability of Bojan or Arnie.
Wilko always gave his best, and in my opinion made the very best of his ability. He has rarely let us down, and if he has, it was certainly not for lack of effort. He has given blood, sweat and tears for Stoke City Football Club, and represented us at the top level during a golden period in our history.
There's a direct line from Marsh, Smith, Bloor and Pejic to Wilko - local lads who've given their all for Stoke City.
If only he hadn't stumbled over the ball when he burst into the box 4 years ago today... it would have made a brilliant day perfect.
I doubt we'll see him on the pitch, but he deserves support and recognition from us supporters at every opportunity from now until the end of the season.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Apr 16, 2015 12:24:52 GMT
So could Palace...
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Apr 16, 2015 12:09:56 GMT
I can't see how MH will let things peter out. If he can improve on last season's points total and position, he will want too. For personal pride and because it's good on his CV.
I'm sure they target small groups of matches, so there will already be a plan for the remaining 6. Saints, Spurs and Liverpool at home suits us, because at least they will come out and play. Sunderland will be the usual dog of a game.
I also think he will be looking to win at Burnley, and might as well go for it at Swansea. If we can beat Swansea away there is a real chance we could overhaul them for 8th. With a settled back 4, and Arnie back in form, can we put together an unbeaten run to the end of the season?
Ever the optimist...
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Mar 13, 2015 17:51:41 GMT
Wow the anti Pulis mob are circling the wagons again. Apologies JStoke - or should that be JPrettyFootie - because it seems as though your stance is that you can only bring yourself to support our football club when the football is played to your acceptable aesthetic standards, the sun is shining and the birds are singing. Otherwise you would rather watch somebody else. Go forth up the Camp Nou? And Werrington, we all know that our journey from survival in the Championship to mid table in The Prem via the FA Cup final and Europe was torture for you. Sorry lads, but I quite enjoyed it. My stance is unequivocal. I am a lifelong Stoke City supporter who never thought I would see my team in the Premier League. I enjoyed the miraculous almost unbelievable journey under Tony Pulis, and I am now almost in awe of the amazing job Mark Hughes is doing taking our famous old club to new heights. The last 12 years or so have been the best since I started supporting Stoke City as a 7 year old in 1973. It's been a great time to be a Stokie, so why look for the negatives? Why have you strayed so far from the original point? I haven't strayed from the original point. It seems to me that some of you missed the point about Plymouth fans singing about not being boring. Whatever Holloway did the following season, whatever the chairmen and owners messed up, Stoke City beat them 3-2 and Tony Pulis, the manager that they were laughing at us about, led us up the Championship to promotion and consolidation in the Premier League. That is the point. It can be frustrating that there are a number of our supporters that play down that achievement. The fact that Plymouth are now scrabbling about in the middle reaches of League 2 might be seen as somewhat ironic and mildly amusing. They might not be boring anymore, but boy are they shit.
In the course of the debate, I mentioned that BM's views are somewhat entrenched. Not unreasonable. You pointed out that "we all know my stance". I'm not sure you do. It's much simpler than you think. It's not about personalities, I support Stoke City FC. I can also see that despite having a different approach, the previous manager and current manager have both been fantastic for our club.
You in contrast, have said that the football played during this historic period of returning to the top flight of English football put you off supporting Stoke City.
That I'm afraid, I cannot understand, and it is why I question the appropriateness of your user name.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Mar 13, 2015 16:02:17 GMT
Wow the anti Pulis mob are circling the wagons again.
Apologies JStoke - or should that be JPrettyFootie - because it seems as though your stance is that you can only bring yourself to support our football club when the football is played to your acceptable aesthetic standards, the sun is shining and the birds are singing. Otherwise you would rather watch somebody else. Go forth up the Camp Nou?
And Werrington, we all know that our journey from survival in the Championship to mid table in The Prem via the FA Cup final and Europe was torture for you.
Sorry lads, but I quite enjoyed it.
My stance is unequivocal. I am a lifelong Stoke City supporter who never thought I would see my team in the Premier League. I enjoyed the miraculous almost unbelievable journey under Tony Pulis, and I am now almost in awe of the amazing job Mark Hughes is doing taking our famous old club to new heights.
The last 12 years or so have been the best since I started supporting Stoke City as a 7 year old in 1973. It's been a great time to be a Stokie, so why look for the negatives?
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Mar 13, 2015 15:11:51 GMT
Yeah, that was a pisser.
Bet they're so glad they dumped TP onto us 10 years ago now they're battling for League 2 play off place and we've been in The Premier League for the last 7 years.
Argyle falling down the leagues has absolutely NOTHING to do with Pulis leaving them and coming to us. Holloway took over and finished higher in the championship table than Pulis did. Their fall down the leagues was down to total and utter mismanagement by the board causing them to go into administration and almost out of existence. BM Regular readers of this board will be well aware of your antipathy towards our previous manager, BM. It seems as though your brain is wired not only to never say anything even remotely positive about Tony Pulis, but also to round on anybody else who might hint at it. Don't worry though, you have a couple of budding acolytes who apparently "like" it too.
The same part of the brain also seems to have had an irony and shadenfreude by-pass.
This is yet again illustrated by your reply. You prefer to admonish me about the plight of Plymouth Argyle rather than remark on the other team in my statement, Stoke City, the one we support, who having got our "boring" manager back, then went on a journey to promotion and 5 seasons in the Premier League.
I have a great memory of an entertaining game between Tony Pulis's Stoke City and Plymouth Argyle at the Brit when Ricardo Fuller picked up the ball running toward the Plymouth goal and managed to lob their keeper from distance and an acute angle. We won the game 3-2. Was it of sufficient entertainment value for you, or was it better just reading the score in the paper?
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Mar 13, 2015 10:09:14 GMT
I remember when Plymouth came to town and sung this hilarious In this case it would be just a big a dig at Brazil Goarrrrrn lads Yeah, that was a pisser.
Bet they're so glad they dumped TP onto us 10 years ago now they're battling for League 2 play off place and we've been in The Premier League for the last 7 years.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Mar 10, 2015 10:10:02 GMT
Looking at The Baggies remaining games, this is one of 3 he will have targeted for a win.
After us they have the bonus game of Man City away, then the pivotal QPR and Leicester home games in the first week of April. Two 1-0 wins there will see them safe. 4 of their last 5 games are against Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, with the other being Newcastle away.
He will view this as a Do Not Lose. Can't see anything but a tight game.
This one isn't a bonus game, it's a binary game.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Mar 6, 2015 15:41:55 GMT
I can see both sides of the argument put forward by Chief and PP, and in a way you are both right.
MH clearly had a new style in mind from the off and there has been an injection of pace into our attacking play. He needed a pacey, goal scoring striker and originally fancied MBD for this role. The shenanigans between club and agent deterred SCFC originally, but he was prepared to pay a fee.
Meantime, Wingie becomes available in the Deal of the Century swap with a disillusioned Kenwyne. Look at the blueprint: pacy striker with an impressive goals to games ratio in The Prem. A gamble based on those attributes. Mame is exactly the same, only based on his stats in the Bundsliga.
Wingie paid off spectacularly and immediately. But he was already up to speed with the Prem and probably "came home" as opposed to "moved Country".
I don't think MH ever saw MBD as a Bony type of player. He's not going to be a back to goal striker. He will thrive on a higher defensive line with the ball played in front of him or coming in from wide. I quite like the way he comes deep to tackle back too, then still has the pace to get into the box to support the breaking players.
PP is right. He's got talents that suit this league, particularly away from home. Rob is right - there are more flaws in his game than we might have hoped. The worrying thing is confidence. Benteke and Lukaku look like poor relations of the strikers of a couple of seasons ago and much of that must be confidence.
If MH and the team can build his confidence, it might just have an effect on his anticipation and his willingness to gamble on knock downs etc. In a way, we don't need him to have a great touch - we want him to be arriving in the penalty area at the speed of an express train and to have one touch into the net from a ball played in hard and fast, a bit like an Andy Cole type of striker.
I'm still hopeful that the best is yet to come from Mame Diouf.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Mar 6, 2015 9:57:43 GMT
I would say be very cautious with 'big summer spending' - what we already have has done brilliantly and we have a lot to come back from injury. We really don't want to threaten or reduce the group spirit we have. Additions should be quality not quantity but this brings the problem of certain players getting paid a lot more than others. 100% this. With the current and fully fit and squad who would we replace? The only position were short on is on the wing, we need to sign Moses or someone of similar quality and another winger maybe? Its a tough one. I agree with this too. We all said at the start of the season that the squad was so strong. I can't remember a season so disrupted by injuries, but everybody who has come in has done well. In the last few weeks, fringe players like Ireland, Charlie and Geoff have stepped up and performed. Marc Wilson has come in and done well. It's a credit to the coaching staff and the players.
I might have said we still needed a right back, but Bardsley looks to be really settling in now and playing his best football. A lot depends on Wingie's return. If he comes back strong he is another option on the right or through the middle. If we don't sign Victor we will need a left sided attacking player, although Arnie has played his best football there for us.
I don't see the need to panic. The only way we can push on again now is to keep a happy squad on similar wages and keep our key players, Bego, Ryan and N'Zonzi. The next step would be a natural goal scorer, like an Inggs. Very impressed with that lad. A bit like James Beattie - right place, right time and a confident finisher. A 15-20 goal a season striker would have us pushing the top 6. Trouble is finding one of those within our budget and wage structure is nearly Mission Impossible.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Mar 6, 2015 9:38:18 GMT
This will be a tough, tight game obviously with a bit of extra spice.
Tone will be aware of our threat on the break and will have his "back 8" well disciplined. More than ever, the first goal in this game is huge.
If they score first they will be very difficult to break down and will probably edge it 1-0. If we score first we could hurt them if they have to come out a bit.
I imagine that MH will want the players to control the game, something he mentions after nearly every match. Keep the ball, pull them around a bit and we must, must, must take one of the few chances that we get. Crouch to start? They will be so deep there'll be no room in behind. Charlie to start? With 2 midfielders deep, there might be he opportunity again to test Foster from distance.
Big test for our back 4 on set pieces. I hope Ryan is back. Also, Berahino is traditionally the type of Aguerro/Defoe striker that our central defenders struggle with.
Very hard game. They will be desperate for points with their run in at the end. Could be an attritional 0-0.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Mar 3, 2015 17:54:03 GMT
I think Everton will try to keep the ball, so I wouldn't be surprised to see Whelan sitting with Sidwell getting into their midfield and Fonzi pushing on.
Could be over complicating it though. Charlie looked dangerous on Satdee and I think MH will reward that with a start. He's got options in midfield.
Would be harsh to leave out Crouch when he keeps scoring.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Mar 2, 2015 10:37:29 GMT
This is the biggest problem for a club like Stoke City. If a team comes to kill the game, have we got enough quality to break them down?
On our wage structure and budget, it's hard to get those kind of players. Bojan is the obvious exception. Without him we huff and puff and struggle to blow the house down. Sometimes we leave our own back door open too, as we saw earlier in the season.
That's where the introduction of Charlie was a good call. For all his perceived faults, he makes things happen. I have often argued that he deserves more time at home in these kind of games. He gets the crowd going and creates chances.
With time to prepare, will Hughes reward him with a start and trust his defensive duties? Probably will, but I think Everton will try to play a bit more and wouldn't be surprised to see Charlie back on the bench, with Sidwell coming in and N'Zonzi pushing on. Our squad is strong though and either option looks good to me.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Feb 27, 2015 10:14:19 GMT
If I were him, I'd start with one and take it from there... Totally agree. He's unwittingly put himself and the players under more pressure from the off. As the games tick by, the "6 wins" will become harder and harder.
Tough game away at The Toon this weekend, then The Baggies at home. We know Tone will set up for a 0-0 and hope to nick something. Huge game against Sunderland away then Swansea at home. Don't see too many wins in March.
In April, they play, Manchester United, Tottenham and Manchester City all away.
They are in deep do-do.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Feb 26, 2015 15:41:17 GMT
A moving post and great tribute that I, like many others, can empathise with too.
I lost my Dad (a lifelong Stoke City supporter) 18 months ago, and even in his dementia Stoke City was always the thing that brought us together. It was what we shared in common throughout our lives from when I was a kid.
I was fortunate to watch Stoke City with him and my son, 3 generations together, and even though my lad is at Uni now it is still the thing we talk and text about the most.
Our football club can link our families through the generations, leaving a lot of shared memories that stay with us.
Condolences to you and your family.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Feb 26, 2015 15:18:57 GMT
Good news and well deserved. I imagine he's exceeded just about everybody's expectations.
Fair play to Peter Coates too. Easy to say now, but it was a brave, ballsy and far sighted decision to appoint him at the time.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Feb 24, 2015 14:20:43 GMT
Think you have called it right here. If we sign any strikers then they need to be a big upgrade to justify displacing Crouch, Odemwingie, Walters and Diouf. I'd be shocked if the club were lining up a move for any strikers that weren't ridiculously good or at least young. I'm not comfortable with relying on hoping that a 34 year old striker/winger who relies on his pace as much as his guile will miraculously be the player he was a year before. And with Crouch the same age, a young striker is a necessity. And Jon Walters is no spring chicken….. Totally agree with all that Jimmy. Wingie is an unknown quantity again next season, Crouch and Walters aren't going to get any better or younger and on the wages we are reputed to be paying Mame Diouf I think we will have to hope that he improves in his second season in The Prem. Not an unreasonable hope though given his Bundesliga stats and the glimpses we've seen. If he gets 10 this season which is definitely possible it's a good start. He's got pace which is worth so much in today's game.
You're also right that the fees for the 3 (English) strikers I mentioned will not represent great value for a club like Stoke. Too much risk and a limited sell on value, to say nothing of potentially blowing a big hole in our wage structure. Who would give Everton their £28m back for Lukaku now?
We've seen this before. To paraphrase Aristotle, one season doth not a striker make. Villa were waving away bids of £25 mill for Benteke. With the benefit of hindsight...
Think Hughesy and his team, and even our scouting department have earned a bit of trust to find a back up with potential and possible re-sale value.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Feb 24, 2015 12:20:02 GMT
Decent player and a handful, but I'm not sure he scores enough goals.
That's why Wingie was appealing. His goals to games ratio in the Premier League is impressive. They took a chance on Diouf on the same basis in the Bundesliga, and I for one think we are still to see the best of him.
Rodriguez (if recovered), Austin, Ings. Goalscorers are gold in this league.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Feb 24, 2015 12:07:28 GMT
8th is possible and would be an incredible achievement.
We threw points away at home early in the season. Injuries to key players haven't helped but its testament to the squad and coaching staff that they have kept league form good.
I'm not sure there is much difference between us and Southampton. They have had a brilliant season this year, but once we cut outthe individual mistakes at the back I think we can be around the best of the rest. The top 6 have the biggest wage bills. After that, we look pretty good.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Feb 24, 2015 11:56:41 GMT
Hope Sparky gets them on the front foot for this one. Hull have been playing with 3 centre backs, Dawson, Bruce and McShane. Doesn't look a lot of pace there to me.
If our midfield can find Moses out left, he can pull those three all over the pitch which should leave some space in the middle. It will also peg back their wide players. If Walters drifts in from the right its another good header to aim at, and with Ireland breaking from deeper we might be able to overload them in the box. Crouch or Diouf? Think I would start with Diouf. He took his goal well and again hopefully his running and pace will cause their back 3 problems.
No doubt Bruce would take a 0-0 right now, so it won't be easy.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Feb 4, 2015 17:06:53 GMT
It'd be interesting to find a thread and see what we were saying at the time he signed for us. I remember saying I thought he was a cracking signing and the perfect partner for Nzonzi. Some need to bear in mind that all our signings are gambles. Some gambles come off, some don't. But why two managers and two sets of coaches can't get him in shape and fit to play regularly over four years is beyond me. I thought him Kitson were superb signings oops So did I.
Dave Kitson had just had a great season with Reading and was on the fringes of the national team. He came here because he wanted to play every week and be the main man, not be a squad player at another club. If I remember, his family really had problems settling oop Norf, which was a big factor for him.
Palacios had impressed for Spurs in the Champions League and was bought by Spurs for £12m. He is a mystery, because he has shown glimpses of what he can do. He started in Stoke City's stand out performance last season, Villa away. I can only guess that the various injury problems he has had have never allowed him to get fully fit.
Both of those two looked perfect for us, and I'm sure that are many more than me, Lord B and ************** who also thought so at the time, but would maybe rather not admit it because it became a convenient stick with which to beat our previous manager. You win some, you lose some, but it could be argued that non-footballing reasons played a big part in neither of them fulfilling their potential here.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Feb 2, 2015 10:20:55 GMT
It used to be that the keeper was given a clap then when he applauded back he got a tirade of abuse!!!! I always found that funny when stood on the Boothen - childish I know!!! I remember that too Pugs. The old timers were a bit wiser, but a few keepers acknowledged the applause running down to The Boothen and then were told in no uncertain terms where to go by a few thousand. Very amusing.
Also remember the old goal kick routine. Ooooooooooooohhhhhhhhh YOU'RE SHIT Aaaaahhhhhhh
Loved it. Should be part of the home crowd's job to unsettle a keeper.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Jan 30, 2015 16:24:03 GMT
Well played Super Jon.
Thankfully football's still a team game and every team can use a grafter like Jon.
Whoever we play he will give them a tough afternoon.
Somehow he kind of epitomises our battling spirit and another bargain Premier League player.
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