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Post by dwr17477 on Nov 22, 2014 22:29:25 GMT
All the euphoria before the season started has now gone. The first two posters are spot on. If we carry on playing like this, we're in trouble! That was a shambles! This. We won't keep pulling away wins out of the bag to compensate, either so, for me, as I have felt for a while, we are in trouble. You just don't have this kind of home form and keep out of the relegation fight...that's not knicker wetting, it's a fact and it's time Hughes woke up to it. We needed a central defender in the Summer but didn't bother and it's showing. We don't score from set pieces anymore and it's showing. We expect to roll over supposed relegation fodder by just turning up but we ain't that committed anymore and it's showing. This is the least enjoyable season back in the top flight so far for me...no consistency and not a lot of heart.
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Post by dwr17477 on Nov 22, 2014 22:12:53 GMT
Absolutely spot on mate. This is what is getting me. I just want a fucking routine 2-0 win, curry, beers and motd. Thought today would be the day and was looking forward to it Stoke is probably the most inconsistent team in the league! A roller-coaster-ride every round! Am I the only one who would prefer to beat the inferior teams instead of the big guns!? No, you're not. It gives us a nice cushion from the bottom. The way things are going at the moment, we could easily get sucked into a dog fight. I'd trade the wins a Man City and Tottenham with the loses to Villa and Burnley just to keep the distance. Not won a 3.00pm Sarurday home match since Fulham in May...not a great stat especially given the opposition.
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Post by dwr17477 on Nov 15, 2014 23:49:23 GMT
Fair enough. How about the worst loan to become permanent? I'm only messing but since you asked my lazy but controversial answer is Danny Pugh or Leon Cort. I never could abide either of them defensively and I don't care how good servants or what goals they scored! Paul Gallagher from his first loan deserves a good mention for one of the best. Martin Fulop for one of the worst. Shola Ameobi too, 500k for that! I knew I'd forget some corkers on either list and pretty much straight away you pluck one for each list!
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Post by dwr17477 on Nov 15, 2014 23:44:56 GMT
Greenhoff/Hudson
Shawcross
I don't admire any other teams players.
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Post by dwr17477 on Nov 15, 2014 23:36:43 GMT
I couldn't give a shiny shit, he's the best! Fair enough. How about the worst loan to become permanent?
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Post by dwr17477 on Nov 15, 2014 23:26:44 GMT
Alan Smart ha, didn't he nut someone whilst playing for us? Forgot about him...he went on to sign for Oldham only days after getting sent off for Stoke against them.
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Post by dwr17477 on Nov 15, 2014 23:25:06 GMT
Shawcross is disqualified from either list - only those who never signed on permanently for Stoke are eligible.
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Post by dwr17477 on Nov 15, 2014 23:15:38 GMT
Boredom waiting for the proper football to return and in the hope of signing Moses permanently has brought to mind the various loan deals we have done over the years. I am sure there are many who will have made varying impressions on other posters but the two short lists below consist of those who have left indelible marks in my mind. To qualify, all have returned to their parent club and have never been a permanent signing for Stoke City in their career.
Best:
Hendrie Crossley Biley Grobbelaar Assaidi
I have omitted Victor for the time being hoping that he is disqualified from the list due to making a full time switch.
Worst:
Segers Ebanks Pressman Southall Whitehurst Whitley
Nearly 50% of those named are keepers, the significance of which I am not sure.
Feel free to add, argue for or against.
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Post by dwr17477 on Nov 1, 2014 8:09:03 GMT
Two posts that are sensible and highlight my exact concerns - especially about 10 points being taken off us and the Manchester City win. We are in danger. I am just hoping we step up now rather than later and keep enough light between us and those slipping off the pace.
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Post by dwr17477 on Oct 29, 2014 23:24:48 GMT
Ok. Is the fact that these posters 'worried' were the same ones 'worried' last year? Also add in the fact it's the ones that are 'worried' are also the same ones who fawn over a certain EX manager. Coincidence. Drip. I worry with every passing loss. Same with Pulis. We have a troublesome set of fixtures coming up and no consistency. No wonder I am worried.
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Post by dwr17477 on Oct 29, 2014 23:16:53 GMT
Someone needs to do something very soon. A loss on Saturday and Hughes is under pressure. There are some with their heads in the sand - no agenda against Hughes and agenda for Pulis but it is a results business and we ain't getting them. Go back and look at TPs last 42 games. Ferfuxache. Here's the thing...I haven't once mentioned that I want TP back. I was keen for us to move on but I am not sure Hughes is getting it right at the moment and time is running out especially with the games coming up.
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Post by dwr17477 on Oct 29, 2014 23:00:03 GMT
Gonna bring this up rather than start a new thread. My opinions on this haven't changed: we've got Sidwell who's hardly played on big wages, stories of Bojan flipping out over his lack of game time. The team looks disjointed. Does Hughes know his best XI? We've regressed so much since last season it's untrue. Yep...and anyone who isn't needs to wake up, Christmas is coming and we'll be bottom three.
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Post by dwr17477 on Oct 29, 2014 22:55:49 GMT
Someone needs to do something very soon. A loss on Saturday and Hughes is under pressure. There are some with their heads in the sand - no agenda against Hughes and agenda for Pulis but it is a results business and we ain't getting them. Well at least these heads in the sand people can't say you didn't warn them. You have been worrying about relegation since September!! Absolutely...in fact losing against Villa was enough for me...I am that type of supporter but it is genuinely getting worrying, especially with the way some clubs have spent over the Summer and we haven't strengthened at the back. 38 clean sheets is just about enough for safety...and that's all I am interested in...safety.
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Post by dwr17477 on Oct 29, 2014 22:46:02 GMT
It makes my day when we come a gallant second...I love it...well done lads! Now for The Championship...yay.
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Post by dwr17477 on Oct 29, 2014 22:41:17 GMT
We are struggling, right now with more shit to come. It may not get any better. Well if it doesn't I know a great manager out of work at the moment...... Someone needs to do something very soon. A loss on Saturday and Hughes is under pressure. There are some with their heads in the sand - no agenda against Hughes and agenda for Pulis but it is a results business and we ain't getting them.
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Post by dwr17477 on Oct 29, 2014 22:35:30 GMT
What like last year? Our problem lies at boardroom level - we got away with not spending money last year, this time we might not be so lucky. God knows what's going on. 100% true! Look at Southampton, West Ham and Hull. All spent big money on quality players and are currently reaping the benefits of it we spend jack shit and if we're not careful could really struggle. We are struggling, right now with more shit to come. It may not get any better.
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Post by dwr17477 on Oct 29, 2014 22:25:21 GMT
It's not the bookings that are punishing us so much as the defending. We needed a quality centreback bringing in in the Summer but it didn't happen...we are paying for it now. There's no steel in that defence at the moment and there is no way sides can come back from going behind all the time. I am not interested in 'good games' where we lose by the odd goal in five. The only good games Stoke are involved in are those that we win(or get a decent draw)...1 - 0, bus well and truely parked and 3 points, please.
I am losing faith with Hughes...it's hardly reactionary, it's been all season...we're November on Saturday and still no rhythm or consistency and time is starting to run out. That we are all going along the lines of how tough it's going to be against West Ham on Saturday shows how far 1.) we regressed and 2.) how far Sam's side has come on after quality signings. We can't keep talking about sides being tough to beat...they all are but there's levels and we( and I mean all of us) look at teams we expect to beat at home...so far we've fucked up against two of them and now another one is looming that may well take all three points and then what...'it's the ref's fault, the injuries, any excuse but actually Hughes has got it wrong...'? Before you know it, we are fighting a battle amongst the relegation teams with nothing to fight with. It has to change very, very soon.
No doubt this post will get pulled apart but regardless of it being our second strongest start to our more recent seasons in the top flight and that Hughes is stronger in the second half of a season we've only played one of the so called elite sides yet we've struggled like hell against lower sides - the ones we need to cash in on and, yes, Soton are a lower side/comparable side who I would consider important to get something off yet nothing on Saturday and, for me, a demoralising loss tonight ahead of what could be a definitive game against West Ham.
Come on Hughes, come on Stoke, FFS sort it!
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Post by dwr17477 on Oct 19, 2014 6:12:41 GMT
Frode Kippe.
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Post by dwr17477 on Oct 18, 2014 22:33:49 GMT
A defeat away at Southampton would not put is in 'major shit' Calm Anyway how many times have you seen sides score a hatfull than draw a blank in their next game? That all depends on whether we beat Swansea. If we don't get a result tomorrow then 8 points from 8 games is relegation form whether it's the first 8, middle 8 or last 8 games of the season. Nil point against Swansea then I'll be worried about about coming up against Soton next. Very worried. Apart from Chelsea they are THE form team in the Prem. Last 6 games: W5 D1 L0. Interesting question though lordb; who in the premiership has won 8-0 and then gone on to lose their next game? I'm sure some stato's amongst us will shed some light. And that's the point...nothing against Swansea sees us with form that translates to that of a side going one way. The 'blip' against Manchester City isn't that unusual. Other sides destined to be relegated will pull off one surprise victory over the course of a season e.g. Wolves away at Liverpool '83-'84, us v Arsenal, Sheff Wed and the shit, '84-'85 and others throughout the years.
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Post by dwr17477 on Oct 18, 2014 22:15:13 GMT
Dwr sense emerging at last ignore the abuse your bang on I hope I am proved wrong...prefer to look back on this come the season's end looking stupid than being proved right...I am not the most confident at the best of times.
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Post by dwr17477 on Oct 18, 2014 22:09:38 GMT
A defeat away at Southampton would not put is in 'major shit' Calm Anyway how many times have you seen sides score a hatfull than draw a blank in their next game? In itself, no but with the results we've had so far this season, well yes, I think it does. If we were to lose tomorrow then the pressure is going to be cranked up on Hughes. I hope everything clicks and we can put a run of results together to build some confidence.
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Post by dwr17477 on Oct 18, 2014 22:01:13 GMT
I noticed we had 61% of the possession against Sunderland away last week and lost 3-1, Southampton only had 53% of the possession against Sunderland at home and won 8-0 The form line through this doesn't look good...worrying times and the reason why tomorrow's fixture needs to end with a positive outcome.
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Post by dwr17477 on Oct 18, 2014 21:56:48 GMT
Sorry but not interested in the cup just want us to keep tight and, hopefully, pick something up from the league game. Would've preferred the cup result to have been the league result against Sunderland. If we don't get something shortly then we are in major shit, especially with the injuries and the run of fixtures till early January.
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Post by dwr17477 on Oct 7, 2014 20:46:01 GMT
My first ever Stoke game...and what a night it was. I went with my brother, he was 14 and I was only 8. We were in the Boothen End and it was so packed. The 5th round against Sunderland had even more(3rd highest crowd of the day, I seem to remember) but it didn't seem as packed as the round before - not sure why this would be - maybe my memory is playing tricks but I am sure I felt this way on the day.
I recall the smells, songs and dim lighting like it was only yesterday - it was never in doubt who'd I support but this certainly did no harm in strengthening my bond.
I wrote an essay for English later that week which went along the lines of Jimmy Greenhoff scoring the winner in the Final against the shit and it was read to the rest of the class...alas Jimmy did score in an FA Cup Final but it was for the shit the following year - I'll let him off on this one occasion, I guess.
For me, this is a great thread because it brings back so many happy memories - thanks.
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Post by dwr17477 on Oct 5, 2014 21:53:39 GMT
We needed a quality centre back to challenge those we already have - it was always a must to have good competition in this area. Thereafter, the midfield needed bolstering with more than Sidwell.
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Post by dwr17477 on Oct 5, 2014 21:42:50 GMT
You can put me on the "worried" list. We are trending at 1 point a game after a set of relatively benign fixtures. Put the paucity of those results together with a rapidly burgeoning injury list and it's not pretty. If you doubt me then dig out your fixture list and a stiff drink. The dozen or so games on the run up to Xmas make fairly terrifying reading. Just had a look at those fixtures and, yes, it's looking tough. As you say, to be averaging 1 point per game after our opening 7 against relatively mediocre opposition and alarm bells must surely ring in even the most optimistic Stokie. I can't see Burnley and QPR doing too much but anyone else, well they keep picking up points whilst we miss out.
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Post by dwr17477 on Oct 5, 2014 21:06:18 GMT
what worries me is the amount of points squandered against teams we should be picking up points from , with the exception of man c we havent played any really tough fixtures yet Exactly the point for me. I am not sure why there are so many comments to the effect of '...just a bad day at the office...' - we've had three already and two of those were at home against sides we should/needed to get something from - even two draws would have sufficed. It isn't being irrational to suggest that we are on the cusp of being entrenched in a long fight against relegation. We need to start getting a run of results ASAP.
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Post by dwr17477 on Oct 3, 2014 21:09:12 GMT
Watching anyone else but Stoke has been knocked out of me by gloryhunters. I am in a Stoke City cocoon, I guess. Back in the good old days of 70's and early 80's football, when things were more on a level playing field, I used to watch MOTD/TBM every time they were on. Also collected the stickers, etc but the increasing emergence of Liverpool and Manchester United 'fans' and more recently Chelsea and Manchester City 'fans' I've become more and more immersed in SCFC.
Of course I like football, used to play enough of it as I am sure most of us have in either kick about or for teams(or both) and I appreciate what sidliitlesballbag and iwebbyyy say about other games, etc but it feels like I am lending support to those none Stoke matches. I can't do that, not when I speak/work with people who 'support' Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, etc and will only watch 'top 5' teams dismissing any other club as a minnow or just making up the numbers. I mean, wtf??? This actually happens...a colleague asking how Stoke got on on Monday night - a guy who lives, eats and drinks (top 5) football...what a load of bollocks. Another colleague...'was the game televised...?'(he's supporting Arsenal this season!). Sorry but it fucks me off big time so I don't have any other interest other than Stoke...just finished watching the Blackpool victory over Cardiff, having said all that but I am sure you get what I am saying.
As for England, it's childish, I know, but that owl faced twat can piss right off...
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Post by dwr17477 on Oct 1, 2014 22:56:37 GMT
come on lads they are our staffordshire neighbours they have jez moxey as chief executive [stafford take note] they have a stand they cannot afford to complete[bit like the vale haha] they are losing at home 0-3 to the mighty huddersfield Wolves Ladies 0 - 7 Stoke Ladies
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Post by dwr17477 on Sept 22, 2014 20:27:31 GMT
Well worth listening to - another positive review and plenty of Stoke City mentions. Looking forward to Thursday night!
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