The Defence, Pulis, Parkin and still hope.

[ted1965]

So the dust has settled and we’re all a little depressed, disappointed still fuming with D’Urso, the defence or lack of it and the world in general right now.

The first issue has to be the defence, it’s been leaking like a sieve for a while now and considering how tight we were this time last year it’s a worrying sign, though the upside of course we have scored a lot more goals. The defence needs a leader, think we have all seen that over the last few months. Shawcross is going to be a fine defender but he’s still a kid, that is why he needs someone with experience and know how alongside him. We need a tough guy, someone like Vince or Gerry who will bark out the orders make the defenders concentrate and keep the back four together at the moment we have none of those things and when we’re not playing well or creating and taking chances the mistakes at the back become more glaringly obvious and costly. The obvious facts are Ryan and Cort simply aren’t a good pairing, they both go for the same ball far to often and therefore the yawning holes are there to be exploited and at the moment that’s what is happening, so one of them has to make way for now.

It’s not the time to hold inquests or witch hunts against this player or that it’s time for the manager to put aside the money he has spent and act on what he sees in front of him. Griffin for example is not a right back, yes right footed but he is a good left back, has always been a quality left back at this level. it’s one of the quirks of football and as he seems determined to play Pugh there rather than Dickinson, then Griffin is much the better option. Bring Wilkinson in on the right and without tearing the house down I think the defence would be a lot more solid.

Then there’s the Parkin situation we are now 10 games from the end of another season and this man is still not fit enough to last more than 30 minutes of a game. What in gods name is he doing in training, he for me shows no respect for the manager, the club, his team mates, supporters but most of all himself. He is stealing a living from this club and we need to make him aware that it wont continue. It’s a shame because he has ability but what good is that if you have the turning circle of the Queen Mary and the stamina of 100 year old asthmatic with one lung. The club has made such good progress over the last 8 months he isn’t one of those areas where things have changed and they have to.

The manager has made progress, he has shown he can learn from past mistakes, though he still displays at times a stubbornness to change certain players, to change certain things even when he can obviously see it needs to change. It’s admirable being loyal to players you have signed and it’s why they obviously like him but sometimes you have to be ruthless, that’s what separates those who succeed and those who merely come close and fall at the last hurdle, come on Tony I have criticised you for just this many times before now show us all that you have that winning ruthless streak that we need now and that means certain favourites need to be dropped.

The whole feeling has changed, people have felt a deflation of expectations maybe that’s a good thing, now the limitations of the side have been exposed a little we can hopefully correct them and play to the strengths of the side, which is togetherness and will to win and a desire not to be beaten maybe that got lost in the euphoria of being top of the league. Now maybe someone else will feel that pressure and stumble as we did.

I still think we have a reasonable chance of going up, though more performances like the last few at the back and we will not be dreaming of games with Liverpool and Arsenal but yet another gruelling season in the Championship.

[okeydokeystokie2]

Definitely still hope Ted.

Now's the time to stay calm and not panic. And that's everyone: Chairman, TP and coaching staff, players AND supporters. I am totally pro-Pulis mainly because he gets the best from what he's got. Cast your mind back a few months when Higgy went to Sunderland... I'm an eternal optimist when it comes to Stoke, but I was worried then that we were going to go backwards this season.

Then look at us now: Shawcross a brilliant discovery, Cort another goal scoring centre half, Lawrence in the form of his life, Rory has surprised everybody, Salif back and the signings of Griff and Glenn Whelan. Add to that Gally and Riggott and we look stronger with better options to change things around.

We were chasing this time last year, and now we're right in there. There's going to be loads of twists and turns in the next 2 months, and EVERYBODY will drop points.

Don't panic, this team is solid and will work for each other. TP has moved on from last year, and gets the very best out of this group. Let's get down to the Burnley game, and pull together.

I think we'll win the league, and at worst get automatic promotion. This is a blip during a couple of tricky games. We'll get back on track and be OK.

Hang on tight because it's going to be scary but fantastic. Keep the faith and enjoy the last leg of the journey!