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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 29, 2014 11:12:33 GMT
Perfect.
Night cup game under lights, get off work early, neck a few quick pints , coming back from a goal down with 2 quick, cracking late goals to beat your local enemies, especially when they are one of the mighty fallen and you are the underdogs, tribal atmosphere, head down out of the ground to find the nearest pub that might be open to celebrate with your mates.
That is my idea of football heaven.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 28, 2014 10:29:32 GMT
This is a tricky one. Very much depends on MH's mindset on whether he really believes we can get anything out of this.
Back 5 picks itself. Whelan will surely start if fit in a compact midfield. I also assume Ireland won't be fit.
I don't think MH will make wholesale changes, so it's the odd tweak.
Bego
Bardsley Ryan Wilson Pieters
Whelan Sidwell
N'Zonzi
Wingie Diouf Arnie
I'm assuming Victor will be deemed to need more fitness, but he might surprise me and play Charlie instead of Sidwell to hit our runners on the break, with N'Zonzi dropping in alongside Whelan.
They are so patient and so good at working space when men get behind the ball, I can't see anything but a defeat by at least 2. No disgrace to get beat by that amount of talent though.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 27, 2014 9:12:24 GMT
Yep, we will, but we saw that last season MH's teams play a bit more open.
Maybe a more open game will suit this team better. It still looks to me as though at the moment we can't break down teams that sit deep at The Brit.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 27, 2014 9:06:19 GMT
As a kid I saw Greenhoff, Hudson, etc and have been lucky enough to see exciting players like Chamberlain, Beagrie, Stein and Hoekstra.
Ricardo Fuller was one of those who gets you off your seat. In his case, even when he was chasing a clearance out of defence. You never knew when something almost unbelievable was going to happen.
We loved it, and so did he, when he was the furthest forward maybe just into the opponents half, ball at his feet, facing the goal with space to run into. Didn't matter if there were a few defenders getting back, his control with that pace and power could take him past them so quickly.
I think he was massively underated. Given that he was supposed to be permanently injured, didn't like training and enjoyed the bright lights of erm, Hanley, he was one of the most naturally talented footballers I've ever seen.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 27, 2014 8:52:55 GMT
As Dave Johnno said the squad is too big. I'm sure the bean counters will be looking for ways to trim the wage bill this week.
Our wages to turnover ratio is too high.
I agree that Geoff offers cover for a number of positions, but if everybody's fit I don't see him as a starter this season. Obviously he may not want that. There is only going to be demand for certain players, and they may decide to sell what they can to look after the wage bill.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 27, 2014 8:40:13 GMT
I once heard Robbie Savage say that MH used to tell them that goals conceded came from consecutive errors compounding. Weak challenge from Bojan, weak palm from Bego, slower reaction from Marc Wilson.
Having said that I thought Jelavic was sharp - he reacted really quickly to stick it in.
I'm sure MH and his crew will get it right. He's got better players and a better squad this season, so it's just a matter of time before they work out the best way to utilise it.
If teams sit deep at the Brit, I think we only need one holding. This might allow the other midfielder, (probably N'Zonzi) to push up and support a bit more, and Arnie and Wingie/Moses to play with a bit more width. We've seen before that sometimes it's a small adjustment that makes a big difference to performance - then confidence and better form follows.
I still believe we're going to have a fantastic season, despite the slow start.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 27, 2014 8:24:03 GMT
Biggest in what way ? they would both struggle in our 1st division.
History, support and tradition I'm not talking about the here and now on the pitch ..... They would be a huge attraction to the worlds best players if they got into the premiership I agree with Werrington. Glasgow is a massive football city with two huge clubs. As big as Manchester, Liverpool and London. Sheffield isn't too shabby. Maybe only Milan has a similar status in Europe. For one city to have 2 teams that could each pull 50,000+ supporters is fairly rare. Even in Madrid, Athletico is like a little brother in the shadow of its massive neighbour.
It's the old "big club" argument. It is down to history, tradition and support - even when their team is going through hard times.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 22, 2014 10:10:09 GMT
On my Talk Sport Predictor have us down for a 2-1 win. I think we might do OK on the road this season.
After 40 years of mostly disappointment though, my advice would be NEVER to put actual, real money on Stoke City to win away.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 22, 2014 9:54:34 GMT
Another great signing. Offers everything we need and looks like the long term replacement for Wingie. But, the last time I thought we'd got such a perfect fit was Wilson Palacios, so best ignore my judgement.
Was it Moses who destroyed Danny Pugh that night I thought Warnock's Palace had derailed our promotion push, or was it (and whisper it), one Tom Soares? Scott Sinclair also played that night didn't he? If Palace could have kept that team together I think Colin would have got them promoted.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 22, 2014 9:39:25 GMT
Hughes seems to be indicating he doesn't see Moses as a starter in this one after hardly any pre-season minutes at Chelsea. So looks like the door's well and truly open for Odemwingie to come back into the XI. And I think that'd definitely be the right call. I'd go with the same XI with him coming in on the right - and Bojan on the bench. Higginbotham calls for OdemwingieMe too, FM.
Perfect away set up. Compact, pace on the break and options on the bench.
Ireland a better option in a genuine midfield role than Bojan in the hole away from home.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 20, 2014 13:22:45 GMT
Mick you are a strange individual. I have visions of you on a soap box at Hyde Park Corner with a sandwich board over your head, droning on while people walk past trying to ignore you. I'm not the first who feels like they are banging their head against the wall trying to reason with you, and I'm sure I won't be the last.
Let's hope you are right, and that the world is as sweet as you paint it, and Chelsea didn't buy off Lens and Barca didn't deliberately abuse the rules and appeal system. Rich clubs don't pay lawyers and PR firms to influence opinion.
I give up. You win. I haven't time in my life and I really don't know why get involved. Something about your holier than thou, know it all style makes me bite. It's futile.
You must be right. I am a nutjob. Just like you are the voice of reason.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 20, 2014 12:43:53 GMT
You need to wake up and smell the coffee. Money rules.
"Chelsea gave Lens a settlement for not stringing the case out" ? Is this a thank you, an out of court settlement, an additional private payment to make it worth while to shut up or a straight bung?
You seem to be the kind of person who believes everything you read in the papers. This "news" comes from highly paid PR companies. Do you really believe Chelsea didn't seek any legal advice in this case, and that the "thank you payment" didn't just buy off Lens?
I'm determined not to get drawn in, but thankfully you couldn't have proved my point any better. The system is totally geared to the rich clubs, and while people like you are happy to accept it, it will never change.
In a league of 20 teams, we will never, ever get into the top 4 never mind win it, because too many people are happy for the rich to get richer and the other clubs to be excluded.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 20, 2014 12:13:19 GMT
Without wishing to get involved in an argument where your long posts just wear me down, Mick, you have missed the point.
I didn't say FIFA was corrupt on this issue, I said Barca had knowingly used the appeal process to suit their own purposes. They have rendered the ban useless, and made hay while the sun is shining. Why is this case so complex? Did these families move to within 100km of Barca for non-footballing reasons or not? Maybe it's only complex because Barca's PR and legal machine tell the world its complex.
I used the work permit issue to demonstrate that there appears to be an advantage for rich clubs, even if it is only that they have the budget to buy more established international players.
Lens have a contractual dispute with Chelsea. The odds are stacked in the favour of the rich clubs, even if its just in the legal resource they have at their disposal.
Two simple questions. In general, do you think the structure of modern football favours the rich clubs and is designed to maintain the status quo? Secondly, in this case, do you think that Barca have used the appeal process to suit their own immediate ends?
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 20, 2014 11:35:42 GMT
Not sure if there is a conspiracy theory, but the rules are just daft and toothless. You also suspect that money influences decisions, and the rich clubs get away with more than poor clubs. The whole murky issue of work permits springs to mind.
I agree with the OP and Banksy. Barca have used the appeal process simply to bend the rules.
I've nicked the following from the BBC website. FIFA rules state that international players under the age of 18 "...can move to a club in a different country if their parents move there for non-footballing reasons, if they are from another nation within the European Union or European Economic Area and aged between 16 and 18, or if they live within 100km of the club."
3 clear guidelines. If Barca have been banned you would think there must be fairly clear evidence of a breach of one of these guidelines. As Banksy points out, why has the appeal taken so long? The Legia Warsaw appeal was heard in a matter of days. And why if the ban is upheld can Barca still make transfer dealings in this window?
The rules and subsequent ban appear to be meaningless to Barcalona.
Similarly, if Suarez is a FIFA registered player, why can't their ban stand? I also think it is strange that he can be transferred and registered for another club when he is banned "from all footballing activity".
Rules for the rich I'm afraid - does anybody actually believe that Chelsea, Manchester City or PSG will not be able to wriggle out of any meaningful FFP sanctions?
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 20, 2014 11:05:58 GMT
I think as always, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
Tactics and systems are important mainly because you need all 11 players doing their jobs and working as a team.
Lou's right though, games are won and lost on individual moments of skill, mistakes or luck, and taking advantage of those situations.
It is still a relatively simple game - try to stop the opposition scoring and take your chances when they arise.
It is quite funny how the average punter has become some king of thinking football guru. I always have a wry smile to myself when some bloke rings a radio station and accuses his team's manager of being "tactically inept".
Also like his defence of Pulis, or any manager for that matter. If the manager's job and future depends on results, he should have the greatest influence on the playing staff. If some Director of Football selects players for a "coach", then it doesn't seem fair to sack the coach if the team struggles.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 19, 2014 16:53:17 GMT
Our crowd is more complacent now. One of the best atmospheres at The Britannia in recent years came with a small crowd and Stoke trailing 2-0. If you were among the 11 or 12,000 who watched that game versus bottom of the table Scunthorpe in around January 2008, you'll remember that despite losing and playing fairly poorly, the team were absolutely roared back onto the pitch for the second half. The effect on both teams was amazing and at opposite end of the psychological spectrum. Lawrence, Fuller, Cresswell and the rest of the team tore into Scunthorpe who visibly withered. 20 minutes into the second half we were 3-2 up and had had a goal disallowed. The home crowd makes a huge difference - we shouldn't underestimate it. Cool story, but there were nearly 21,000 in the ground that night. In that case I stand corrected on the crowd. I remember it was part of a two match special - Crystal Palace, another 3-2 victory in different circumstances?
Despite your patronising comment, the point is that the team's performance shouldn't matter.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 19, 2014 16:09:07 GMT
Our crowd is more complacent now.
One of the best atmospheres at The Britannia in recent years came with a small crowd and Stoke trailing 2-0.
If you were among the 11 or 12,000 who watched that game versus bottom of the table Scunthorpe in around January 2008, you'll remember that despite losing and playing fairly poorly, the team were absolutely roared back onto the pitch for the second half. The effect on both teams was amazing and at opposite end of the psychological spectrum.
Lawrence, Fuller, Cresswell and the rest of the team tore into Scunthorpe who visibly withered. 20 minutes into the second half we were 3-2 up and had had a goal disallowed.
The home crowd makes a huge difference - we shouldn't underestimate it.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 19, 2014 7:33:34 GMT
Before Saturday, I would have started with Bojan on the bench. Maybe MH wanted to keep his momentum going and build his confidence, but the Bojan/Diouf interchanging roles idea was perhaps a little ambitious with hindsight. Might work, but needs more time on the training pitch.
The other advantage of bringing on Bojan is options. He can come on for Ireland or Diouf, or even again on the right of the 3,although I don't think that will happen again yet. The difficulty now is it feels like he's being dropped. Hughes will have to manage that carefully with his "rotation" and "horses for courses" philosophy.
That would be my only change at this stage - Wingie in and Moses and Bojan on the bench. Let players earn their places.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 18, 2014 7:47:17 GMT
Brutally honest and accurate. That was a 0-0 waiting for a mistake to happen.
Same old problems at home - we struggle to break down a team that sits deep. Perversely we might do better away from home this season.
So disappointing after all the hope and excitement.
Still, it's a difficult job to find a balance amongst so many talented players in the squad. MH will be learning more about them all the time.
After last season where my faith was severely tested early in the New Year, I'm absolutely confident he'll find the balance and we'll have a great season.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 15, 2014 14:36:33 GMT
He may have thought he understood the club's policy on transfers, and maybe that has changed. We don't know.
You are happy to call the behaviour of Tony Pulis "disgraceful" based on the timing of his departure without knowing any of the facts of the dispute, without any criticism of the Crystal Palace chairman and given that if Pulis found himself in the bottom 3 at Christmas with the players he was told he would have to make do with, he would probably be fired by the man who dealt him that hand.
That doesn't meet with my understanding of rational opinion or debate. At best, it's a case of leaping to totally unfounded conclusions to try to justify your spurious argument, and at worst, it sounds like another stick constructed of fairly flaky guesswork with which to try and beat him.
That's without you giving your opinion on how Tony Pulis can become a "better modern day manager". Presumably you are overlooking his talent for keeping teams in the Prem and earning a further £150 Million (a minimum of 1 year's revenue + a parachute payment). No doubt Tony Pulis will be on here sending you a PM for a bit of advice before his next job.
Quite amusing really.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 15, 2014 13:17:43 GMT
They're not my opinions, Mick, because I'm not party to private conversations and I don't know what has happened. All I've done is suggest a likely or even possible alternative scenario.
You however have said that TP's behaviour is "disgraceful". You base this character assassination on pure guesswork. I'm not sure that is a particularly reasoned debate or discussion and that's what I don't understand.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 15, 2014 13:00:02 GMT
Depends what he was told when he took the job, if they've gone back on what they said when he signed I can't see how it'll hurt him. even if they have gone back on what they said then he should have left weeks ago when he found that out. let's not forget that he's made 4 signings this summer already, the idea that he only found out last night that the transfer policy wasn't what he wanted is ludicrous. how could he sign 4 players already and NOT know full well what their policy was? i don't think anyone really has an issue if he's gone because he's not happy with their transfer policy, the issue is that he's left it until the very last minute before leaving them in the lurch. that's unforgivable really and completely unnecessary. i think it may well make a lot of clubs wary of him from here on in as he now looks like a bloke who spends the club's money freely then fucks off when it doesn't go his way. let's not forget the fact that nearly left Stoke in the January because he was unhappy at the fact he couldn't just spend millions as and when he pleased and then left a few months later because of that reason as well. at his last 2 clubs he's shown himself to be someone who at the very least, just isn't in touch with the way football clubs work and are run nowadays and has no handle on how to be self-sustaining which is the way that pretty much all clubs are wanting to go now. he seriously has to adapt to how football works nowadays and quickly otherwise a very good manager will be lost simply because of his own outdated views and stubborn unwillingness to adapt. Mick, as usual you have strong opinions on this, and, as usual, I'm not sure whether I agree or know how you can be sure of what you actually say.
For example, how do you know that TP "nearly left Stoke in January because he was unhappy at the fact he couldn't spend millions as and when he pleased..." He said at the time that the squad was "unbalanced", and it was clear he wanted a left back (wasn't Marc Wilson out with a broken leg?) and probably a new winger. He ended up with Brek Shea and Jack Butland. He never indicated that he wanted to "spend millions as and when etc". He then went onto to finish the season in 14th I think.
Similarly, why is it so disgraceful on Tony's part that he left 2 days before the season? Presumably , like all disputes, there are two sides to the argument. It sounds as though he was promised funds. It looks to me as though they have spent £900k on Campbell mainly. Then the Chairman appears to be appeasing the supporters in his pursuit of Zaha. Pulis doesn't want to spend the budget on him as he already has Puncheon and Bolasie, I'm guessing on less money.
So, a manager whose job relies on his record could be being told (a) the promised funds are not in fact there, (b) you can't have the players you want and (c) we want this returning player you don't want. This situation could have come to a head within the last couple of days.
As a manager that possible scenario would appear to be the definition of "untenable".
You seem happy to put forward your opinion as fact, but base your argument on assumptions that you guess at. Surely nobody but Chairman and Manager knows the real problems?
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 15, 2014 9:32:59 GMT
Excellent and well researched.
I've been rumbling on about this with Paul Spencer, but I'm not sure about the False 9 thing. I'm not sure we'll get enough bodies in dangerous areas.
I'm not sure how MH will use Bojan, but it will be a challenge because he's obviously got a fragile temperament, and we need him positive, confident and simply happy to get the best out of him.
If it was me, which thank the Lord it's not, I wouldn't start him, then hedge my bets knowing he will be first change for either Mame, Wingie or Ireland, depending on how its going. That would give Hughesy a lot of options, and we would have a potential game changer on the bench.
Just can't wait to see what happens.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 15, 2014 9:01:37 GMT
His stock will be sky high. He performed a miracle again and proved a lot of people wrong - again.
Tone's departure has cranked up the pressure on every manager in the pack. They'll be a few twitchy chairman who'll be ready to pull the trigger in November and call for the Tone Ranger to ride in and bag the Premier League swag next May. Pardew, Poyet, Pearson, Irvine, Allardyce must already be seeing the long shadow of his baseball cap over their shoulders.
I wish him well.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 14, 2014 9:21:41 GMT
We could do worse than send him on loan to Crewe with Ness. Do Crewe have a vacancy for a centre back? You'd think that'd be ideal for 6 months. Not having to move house would be a bonus for someone like him too after a big life change If we could get some relationship going like that, it could suit both teams. Very good read. I've just read all the new boys pieces and the season review. All good. As usual distracted from working.
Walsall would be a good move for Jonny Tex too - close by, plenty of football without the relegation struggle?
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 14, 2014 8:14:34 GMT
Jez and Sheikhy yep agree with both of your posts there, however what do you think we'll do with Bojan if we sign Yammy/some other right winger? It will surely become a choice of EITHER he or Diouf playing up top then wouldn't it? I agree with that too, Paul, which brings me back to the original point. We've almost got an embarrassment of riches with Wingie too, and that's without Assaidi/Redmond/Yarmalenko.
As I said originally, I think Bojan will be used on the right of the 3, and it will be a fluid front line. There is a danger teams will quickly realise there is a possibility to overload Bardsley at RB.
I wouldn't be surprised to see him start with Wingie and bring Bojan on for Mame, Wingie or even Ireland depending on how its going. My slight worry would be that Bojan is "accommodated" on the right of the 3 and asked to track back. Not a happy Bojan.
I think his perfect role would be what Fabregas, Mata and sometimes Silva do respectively. A classic number 10 behind another striker or strikers. I'm not sure we're going to see that, but it might be something they can switch to and try. Doesn't look likely with Ireland on the pitch though.
Whatever happens, really looking forward to seeing how they balance these exciting players.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 13, 2014 11:05:52 GMT
It's a different role from Ireland. Ireland is a genuine attacking midfielder. He's got the lungs and legs to get forward from a defensive shape.
I reckon Bojan's a second, deeper striker -like I said, a proper number 10. He would play much higher up the pitch than Ireland, which would maybe have to leave us with a midfield 4.
I'm not sure how it will all work out, but have total faith in Mark Hughes.
Back to the Guardian article, just how shrewd was Peter Coates to recruit MH? We are so lucky to have such a wealthy benefactor AND such a good football man at the top of our club.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 13, 2014 10:30:31 GMT
I agree Paul, best I've read so far. Shows a perceptive understanding of Hughesy and our club.
Got a bit weird towards the end of the piece. Brek Shea? I also think Eider and Tuncay were completely different. EG wasn't just unfit - he was fat. The game just seemed to pass him by.
Also, the whole thing of "accommodating" Bojan is starting to concern me, as I know it does you. I'm fairly sure he will start from the bench against Villa. I think he can play right of the 3, but it will leave a lot for Bardsley to do. His best position will be behind a striker - does this see us reverting to a narrow 4-4-1-1, with Bojan replacing Stephen Ireland?
Managing this balance looks like Hughesy's biggest challenge.
I think his best position is playing as a false number 9 and I firmly believe we should play him as one. For me we're going to need our wide men to track back and cover their full backs in the Premiership. If Ireland gets injured, then I don't think there's any harm in trying him there but I wouldn't do it in the first instance. For me it's going to have to be either DIouf or Bojan but not both, that is unless Diouf plays on the right. I slightly disagree there, because I'm not absolutely convinced by the whole false 9 thing. When Spain destroyed Italy (?) in the Euro final, it really clicked, but they had so many good attacking one touch players. I'm not sure yet whether Bojan is physically strong and tough enough to play that role in the Premier League.
I think (for what it's worth!) that Bojan's best position is a classic number 10, floating about behind the front man, using the space from the striker's runs to attack from a little deeper. He can play the striker and wide men in, and we've already seen that he is lethal around the box. I thought his first goal in Germany, where he was moving right then fired it so fast left of the keeper was amazing. The speed of the shot and the power he gets from virtually no backlift, while he's running with the ball is a rare talent.
Maybe, if he plays Arnie and Bojan wide with Mame up front, they are good enough to form a really fluid partnership and swap positions.
Just can't wait to see how it pans out.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 13, 2014 10:17:13 GMT
We've seen nearly every season in the Prem how much form, confidence and momentum matter. It turned us around from February last season.
From 7th down, the rest become a bit of a pack. If we can play well and win we can start the season with some confidence. There will never be a better time to go to Manchester City as early this season. With their new defence, we might be able to surprise them on the break.
We really need to win against Villa. Set the tone for the season, play with flair, let our players try things and express themselves and stay confident.
With confidence, momentum and a bit of luck, the sky's the limit this season.
Good luck to Mark Hughes, his coaches and the players. Let's hope for a fantastic season.
Come on Stoke - we'll be with you every step along the way.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 13, 2014 10:07:08 GMT
That's a very well researched and well written article.
Surprised by the level and accuracy of detail actually.
I agree Paul, best I've read so far. Shows a perceptive understanding of Hughesy and our club.
Got a bit weird towards the end of the piece. Brek Shea? I also think Eider and Tuncay were completely different. EG wasn't just unfit - he was fat. The game just seemed to pass him by.
Also, the whole thing of "accommodating" Bojan is starting to concern me, as I know it does you. I'm fairly sure he will start from the bench against Villa. I think he can play right of the 3, but it will leave a lot for Bardsley to do. His best position will be behind a striker - does this see us reverting to a narrow 4-4-1-1, with Bojan replacing Stephen Ireland?
Managing this balance looks like Hughesy's biggest challenge.
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