|
Post by gibby1409 on Jan 4, 2017 17:05:13 GMT
I don't remember Denis Smith cupping his hands to his ears. He just got on with the game. If the Oatcake had been in existence when Smithy played,and someone said the things about him that they said about Ryan, he'd have twatted them 😉
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Jan 4, 2017 16:41:44 GMT
And Smudge's article was hardly "slamming him" was it? Compared to the actual gravity of the incident, dave, it was completely over the top. Completely agree Sheikh! It's a bit disappointing cos it's blown it all out of proportion in our local rag.
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Jan 4, 2017 15:09:50 GMT
And it really was the briefest of motions obviously borne out of frustration. You'd think he'd have that often overused phrase 'plenty in the bank', if it did offend your sensitive heart.
It ultimately becomes a two way street though doesn't it Sheikhy?
If it's okay for Ryan to respond to the supporters negatively, then in effect he's condoning the supporters right to react negatively to the players ... I don't like that.
I've never, ever booed a Stoke City player, I've never, ever been negative about a Stoke City player in a football ground, I just don't think you should do it, although of course some (indeed sometimes a lot of) people do, I don't like the fans been negative towards the players and I certainly don't like it the other way round, that can ultimately lead to poisonous atmospheres.
What if we now lose our next three home matches and Ryan drop some clangers?
I don't think that's being remotely 'over sensitive'.
You make a lot of sense Paul. But what comes first? Is it Ryan reacting to abuse or the fans reacting to Ryan? For me it's very clear, Ryan is upset and giving a bit back. Whether that's wise or not can be debated till through cows come home. My point all along with this thread, is that there are supporters who give the dogs own abuse to the players, but get very sensitive when it comes back at them. So I agree it's deffo a two way street, and I'm finding it difficult to criticise the skipper for retaliating. Plus I honestly believe Smudge has gone way over the top in his article
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Jan 4, 2017 14:00:46 GMT
Don't you think it makes us look over sensitive and a bit precious though? It can be dodgy ground I agree with that, and maybe he should know better, but at least he cares. There's the old adage that we pay our money and are free to criticise/praise as we see fit, which is fine. But to get all precious when we get a bit back doesn't look good imo. Who is getting precious? Are you going to accuse Ryan of being "precious" for reacting in a petulant and naive way in the first place? Smudge has given an opinion and it's one I happen to agree with. I'm not questioning your choice to agree or disagree with Smudge, but surely you can already see the tone in this thread to pick up on how sensitive we are to any form of critiscism from the players? I think I'd already mentioned that it maybe wasn't the wisest thing for Ryan to do, but imo, Smudge is making the Stoke supporter's look "precious" in his article, and I think he's gone way over the top.
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Jan 4, 2017 13:45:33 GMT
Smudge is spot on in my opinion. I was going to post the same but feared a backlash. He was out of order in my opinion. You can argue he's free to his opinion too. And he is. But if he's going to start publicly dishing it out to us moving forward, he will lose a lot of support and respect. Don't you think it makes us look over sensitive and a bit precious though? It can be dodgy ground I agree with that, and maybe he should know better, but at least he cares. There's the old adage that we pay our money and are free to criticise/praise as we see fit, which is fine. But to get all precious when we get a bit back doesn't look good imo.
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Jan 4, 2017 13:13:57 GMT
Well over the top with that article.
There is an argument Ryan shouldn't react, but the article makes us out as a right load of luvvies who don't like any critiscism back!
Let's just fu***ng get on with it! 😉
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Jan 4, 2017 12:15:57 GMT
Dave. You make some great points in your post, most of which I agree with, especially your comments on our previous performances v Arsenal Southampton Liverpool and Chelsea. The thing I find baffling is the shit storm on here saying how toss we've been?? We do seem to have a few people who follow the club who relish us losing. I know opinions will be what they'll be, but ffs sounding like we're absolutely toss and almost willing us to lose is baffling to me. The point I'm trying to make is that I think we've played ok and top players made crucial mistakes that cost us. Your post kinda alludes to that too. Yes, last night wasn't the best but these are games we have to win and win ugly if need be. We can finish anywhere between 7th and 17th, that's the level we're at, and we need to understand that. The top 6 have now consolidated and seem miles away from the rest of us. And despite the odd slip up from them, that's the order of things, never mind how much we grumble about next levels, we're operating as high as we can unless some Sheikh fancies it down in SOT! I still think we'll finish top 10 and despite the moaners, I like how Hughesy tries to win every game. Are we as solid as when TP was here? No, cos then we had 10 defenders and a keeper 😉 I understand exactly where we are at. It's why Mark Hughes approach has always appealed to me and why I've supported him so staunchly. That didn't feel like a Mark Hughes team to me. It felt like going back in time. The manager was scared of losing the game so reverted to a comfort blanket team that he knew (and I knew) would win the game without too many problems and without really exerting our abilities onto the game itself. We won courtesy of a shin bobbler that the keeper practically threw into the net and one off the strikers knee. Big three points though. There was no point being naive in that game, so I understand why we went safer. I agree we're not playing to our potential though, but I have every confidence we will do, and that MH is the perfect match for a team at our level
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Jan 4, 2017 11:58:02 GMT
if we are going to be a mid-table team, it has to be achieved with a bit more panache. Hughes has done a great job up to now and I've been one of his fiercest supporters but last night was bad. Really bad. There was one occasion, first half, where Walters found himself in a great position wide on the right. We had runners in the box (Crouch, Arnie and Allen) and Walters fluffed what appeared to be a simple cross. Hughes went absolutely nuts with frustration. What the hell was he expecting? He picked Walters. He surely knows his limitations. He should have expected what we saw. We've seen nothing different since he joined. I simply don't get it. There was absolutely no need to go all "Tony Pulis". We played well in defeat to Liverpool and Chelsea, played well for long parts of the game v Arsenal and Leicester and earned a great fighting point with 10 men v Southampton. If we'd had played as well as we did v Chelsea or Liverpool, we'd have won last night easily. It was desperately disappointing simply because of the huge dearth of any quality at all. We were bad. They were even worse. I've criticised Shaqiri heavily, more than most on here. However, he has 2 bad games and is out of the side. Bojan makes a mistake and is out of the team. Walters meanwhile, has bad game after bad game, yet he's still there, in the team, ambling his way embarrassingly through games. Has Hughes lost the plot as many on here have been saying? I would have said not. After last night, I'm not so sure. Dave. You make some great points in your post, most of which I agree with, especially your comments on our previous performances v Arsenal Southampton Liverpool and Chelsea. The thing I find baffling is the shit storm on here saying how toss we've been?? We do seem to have a few people who follow the club who relish us losing. I know opinions will be what they'll be, but ffs sounding like we're absolutely toss and almost willing us to lose is baffling to me. The point I'm trying to make is that I think we've played ok and top players made crucial mistakes that cost us. Your post kinda alludes to that too. Yes, last night wasn't the best but these are games we have to win and win ugly if need be. We can finish anywhere between 7th and 17th, that's the level we're at, and we need to understand that. The top 6 have now consolidated and seem miles away from the rest of us. And despite the odd slip up from them, that's the order of things, never mind how much we grumble about next levels, we're operating as high as we can unless some Sheikh fancies it down in SOT! I still think we'll finish top 10 and despite the moaners, I like how Hughesy tries to win every game. Are we as solid as when TP was here? No, cos then we had 10 defenders and a keeper 😉
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Jan 4, 2017 9:45:38 GMT
Top man and worthy of being classed a Stoke legend. In my view, only Smithy, Bloor and arguably Doddy have been better in my time of being a Stokie.
But do we seriously think that people like Shawcross actually give a flying f**k what's posted on here? In fact do we think that the players actually know what the Oatcake is?
We do like to build up our importance a bit don't we? Especially when we represent a very small % of the total Stokies
Message boards are good banter but that's all they are. But I think some people have the view that we are policy setters, but belive me that couldn't be further from the truth! In my opinion of course 😉
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Jan 2, 2017 17:57:43 GMT
How else do you stretch for a 50 / 50 then Pugs? He seemed to make his decision on Jones blousing around like a pratt than the actual challenge. You don't jump in off the ground from 6 foot away and it was never a 50/50. Like I say harsh, but he gives a notorious referee a decision to make. Don't you think Jones jumped in just as much Pugs?
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Jan 2, 2017 17:55:28 GMT
Best and most sensible post of 2017 so far!
Opinions will vary, and so they should, that's healthy on a message board. My only gripe is that are people who are happy to see us lose. I get as pissed off as anyone when things don't go as we'd like, but irrespective of any conceivable situation, I would never ever want my team to lose, and I can't understand why people would think this way, but unfortunately they do!
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Dec 30, 2016 9:34:39 GMT
Rotherham,remember walking past the scrap yard to the ground The scrap yard was actually better than the ground! 😊
Wrexham the year we got promoted was pretty dire too as I recall.
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Dec 29, 2016 12:48:42 GMT
Best player I've ever seen. But a shite pundit. Massive Chelsea fan, which is fine, but lives too much in the past. Love Huddy but when you read some of his anecdotes then it's always been someone else else's fault
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Dec 28, 2016 16:50:48 GMT
I think we've got some fantastic fans. But there are people who post on here, who actually relish us losing. Luckily the Oatcake only represents a very small % of our fans, and I believe the vast majority really back the team.
Last night for 30 mins we were really at it. We conceded four bad goals, all avoidable, and we let them out of site. Mistakes made by our top players let us down, they had a bad day, simple as that. I'm disappointed but I'd never slag the players off for making mistakes, we all do it, and they would be as pissed off about it as us.
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Dec 27, 2016 16:45:46 GMT
I think it's an obvious system tbh. We can't be fannying around with the ball in our half, cos they love pressing and getting possession. We'll play longer to crouchy and get Walters Diouf Allen and Imbula around him. Time will tell how effective it is, but I think I can see MH's thinking on this one. This line-up suits me for the first half and if we're still thereabouts after 60 mins excellent options available to carry the game to Liverpool The key is to still be in the game at 60 minutes Dead right! If we can keep it tight and play a bit longer to Crouchy, we have loads of options on the bench to change it and go at them for the last half hour.
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Dec 27, 2016 16:21:06 GMT
I think it's an obvious system tbh. We can't be fannying around with the ball in our half, cos they love pressing and getting possession. We'll play longer to crouchy and get Walters Diouf Allen and Imbula around him. Time will tell how effective it is, but I think I can see MH's thinking on this one.
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Dec 27, 2016 12:13:18 GMT
Im going for a 1-0 win..like last time. Last time out at Anfield we lost 4-1 mate Last time out we won 1-0 in the cup 😉
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Dec 24, 2016 16:58:06 GMT
Same to you Sal 😊
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Dec 19, 2016 18:54:59 GMT
Huthy looked very wooden. Good attacking the headers but very pedestrian. Think he's just gone over the hill now, and teams are capitalising on the lack of protection from the midfield now Kante has gone, same comment about Morgan. Very important that Schmeichel is back for them!
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Dec 19, 2016 14:40:10 GMT
It was reckless and out of control. The ball first bollocks is exactly that..... bollocks imo. When I played, and it wasn't too higher a standard, but if I wanted to "do" anyone. then I'd go in hard and get a touch on the ball, but f**k em up on my follow through. You can tell Vardys been around non league! 😉
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Nov 12, 2016 14:03:45 GMT
1: Hudson. For two seasons the best player in the league. 2: Banks. Just such an iconic player and known worldwide. Best keeper I've ever seen by a country mile. 3: Greenhoff. Tremendous finisher, and inspirational player. The fact he's still idolised 40 years after he was sold says everything. 4: Smith. Hardest player I've ever seen, would run through a brick wall for Stoke. And other teams were scared of him. 5: Fuller. Made you stand up if he picked the ball up on half way, and ran at the opposition. One of the most exciting players I've seen.
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Nov 10, 2016 21:53:37 GMT
Banksy for me!
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Nov 6, 2016 21:56:00 GMT
If I remember rightly, Jimmy missed three good chances against the shit, not long before he went to them. This is not a criticism, as I loved the bloke. Can anyone confirm this? Ta in advance. Don't think so? They beat us 3-0 after JG had left, and it was towards the end of the season when we drew 3-3 in an epic game, where I think Alan Suddick made his debut?
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Nov 3, 2016 12:22:43 GMT
Unless it's at Swansea though!
Remember the replays of the Butland "challenge" last Year? 😉
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Oct 26, 2016 19:58:17 GMT
Mr's family is from the north east, and went the game on Saturday with father-in-law. (Glued to my phone I might add!!) Been a few times now, and love it up there, the people are friendly, the city is full of good places to eat and drink. Went in the Strawberry before we played there last year, and no hint of any mither, all good banter, and its great to have a ground in the middle of town! Football aside, its a great place to go for a weekend too! I am (Have to be) a bit biased though
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Oct 25, 2016 19:50:53 GMT
Condolences Phil lad
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Oct 21, 2016 21:46:40 GMT
Deffo Dennis Tueart's shirt. Cup match just after the Butler street roof blew off, it was a 4th round game, because I think we played Spuds in a replay on 4th round day, and then Man City in the mid week. Greenhoff scored the winner with bout 10 minutes to go! January 1976ish I think? You're absolutely correct it was definitely Dennis Tueart's but I'm 99% certain it wasn't the cup match but rather the league game played on a Saturday afternoon, whereas the cup game was a night match. I may be wrong, but I still think it was the night game on Feb 4th 1976. Tueart gave his shirt to pejic, there was a stand off then pej nutted him......... I think 😊
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Oct 19, 2016 20:49:54 GMT
Deffo Dennis Tueart's shirt. Cup match just after the Butler street roof blew off, it was a 4th round game, because I think we played Spuds in a replay on 4th round day, and then Man City in the mid week. Greenhoff scored the winner with bout 10 minutes to go! January 1976ish I think?
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Oct 3, 2016 20:22:49 GMT
The only thing that save Herrera from a red was Joe Allen. If Joe had screamed and writhed around, then Madley would have sent Herrera off.
Personally, I thought it was borderline, clumsy and careless rather than a full follow through trying to hurt someone, and I've seen far worse. That said, I think if a Stokie had done it, then it would have been a definite red.
The Pogba one is the puzzler for me. Minimum of a yellow and he couldn't have complained if it had been a red.
We have to move to a system where refs give interviews, and explain their decisions. If Madley had come out and explained why he did or didn't give certain decisions, then I could accept that, even if I might not agree with his view. Refs are professional now, and work in a multi million pound industry, so they should explain their decisions. It would take a lot of the emotion out of these kind of situations.
|
|
|
Post by gibby1409 on Oct 2, 2016 17:06:20 GMT
You know when someone keeps complaining, eventually you take no notice? Just do it cos its a simple solution adopted by most people 😉 I'm sure you get my drift 😊
|
|