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Post by GeordieDave on Mar 9, 2008 17:29:42 GMT
Like everyone I'm hurting. But lets not forget its still in our OWN hands.
We did enough against PNE and Burnley to win both of those games and we've played a lot worse and won.
QPR was very poor. Lets hope it was an off-day, all teams have them and we, thankfully, havent had many since November with probably only Hull on Boxing Day standing out as really poor.
If we were playing Britstol City on Tuesday we'd jump ahead of them into top spot if we were to beat them due to our superior goal difference. We're not so this is hypothetical but you get my point....
Win at Watford and we'd move four points ahead of them and they'd only have a single game in hand. Again assuming we match their result on Tuesday.
We're in the mix and this is good. Every game is a cup final now and lets hope we're over our bad spell.
Our run in looks OK, four of the last six against teams in the bottom third of the table.
In my eyes w're battling for second spot, we have to assume WBA win their games in hand although there is no guarantee they will, especially if they progress in the Cup as Cup fever could undermine their league campaign (or equally enhance it, we just dont know) ...
We have nine games left and seven of them look VERY winnable, if we are to go up then we have to beat the likes of Norwich, Blackpool and Sheff Weds. If we are to go into the play-offs we need to make sure we have a degree of momentum.
Lets not forget its utterly brilliant to be in this position. The first six games of this campaign suggested a long, hard slog against relegation.
TP has to be bold, he has to make nasty decisions, especially regarding Pugh at LB, Cort at CB and Cresswell and Diao in MF. He needs to find his strongest XI and fast. By Tuesday.
Nugent for me, or an Earnshaw, are essential. To win games we need to score. Riggott and Nash will hopefully tighten us up. Lets not forget we've shipped six and scored two in the last four games. TP needs to address this ASAP. Hopefully we'll see a striker arrive next week.
Despite the doom and gloom on here I firmly believe if we beat Bristol and get a point minimum at Watford we'll go up, the other teams around us will bottle it like we've done. There is a lot of football to be played.
Nows the time to stand up and be counted. Starting with Mr Tony Pulis Esq.
Forever Stoke
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Post by swampySCFC on Mar 9, 2008 17:33:52 GMT
Quite Right Dave
As soon as things dont go right some people are all too quick to slag all and sundry off.
The vitriol issued to the players on here is disgraceful.
Perspective indeed. Some people need to remember loyalty and pride
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Post by FullerMagic on Mar 9, 2008 17:44:18 GMT
TP has to be bold, he has to make nasty decisions, especially regarding Pugh at LB, Cort at CB and Cresswell and Diao in MF. He needs to find his strongest XI and fast. By Tuesday. Nugent for me, or an Earnshaw, are essential. To win games we need to score. Riggott and Nash will hopefully tighten us up. Lets not forget we've shipped six and scored two in the last four games. TP needs to address this ASAP. Hopefully we'll see a striker arrive next week. Despite the doom and gloom on here I firmly believe if we beat Bristol and get a point minimum at Watford we'll go up, the other teams around us will bottle it like we've done. There is a lot of football to be played. Nows the time to stand up and be counted. Starting with Mr Tony Pulis Esq. Forever Stoke Quite right - but do we think he will actually take these particular nasty decisions. And are results of the magnitude we need possible if he doesn't freshen things up in these areas?
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Post by PolPotter on Mar 9, 2008 17:51:08 GMT
It's not in our hands, GeordieDave. WBA have games in hand and we haven't won our last 3 games, scoring only 2 in the last four. Even if we win every remaining game, we'll have to hope WBA lose along the way.
Fingers crossed though.
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Post by FullerMagic on Mar 9, 2008 17:52:19 GMT
If we won every game left, we'd finish (at least) 2nd though, wouldn't we?
So, to that degree, it is.
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Post by PolPotter on Mar 9, 2008 17:53:41 GMT
If we won every game left, we'd finish (at least) 2nd though, wouldn't we? So, to that degree, it is. Let's just hope we beat Watford.
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Post by Davef on Mar 9, 2008 17:54:09 GMT
Two teams win automatic promotion mate. If we win all our remaining games we go up automatically, it's that simple.
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Post by PolPotter on Mar 9, 2008 17:59:19 GMT
"it's that simple"
Fkin wished it was!
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Post by GeordieDave on Mar 9, 2008 17:59:39 GMT
It's not in our hands, GeordieDave. WBA have games in hand and we haven't won our last 3 games, scoring only 2 in the last four. Even if we win every remaining game, we'll have to hope WBA lose along the way. Fingers crossed though. Pol, as mentioned in the post I'm assuming WBA do win the games in hand and go up as Champs. We're after second place fella, owt else is a bonus! We beat Bristol and draw with Watford and we've got a great chance. So its in our hands.
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Post by slangking on Mar 9, 2008 18:08:22 GMT
I don't suppose you saw Pugh make a potentially point saving tackle in the last minutes after we equalised?
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Post by beagriestache on Mar 9, 2008 20:01:43 GMT
Perspective is the key word.
I'm confident that if we fail to go up, there will be dozens of people on this board slagging off Pulis, individual players, Peter Coates, etc etc.
This has been a great season, far better than any of us predicted and we should be grateful for it.
Most of my colleagues are Coventry fans ffs!!!
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Post by GeordieDave on Mar 9, 2008 20:07:23 GMT
I don't suppose you saw Pugh make a potentially point saving tackle in the last minutes after we equalised? Pugh isnt a LB mate, good tackle or not. We look vulnerable with him there and he doesnt think like a defender. We need players who will shut up shop and keep it tight for 90 minutes. My post isnt aimed at Pugh. If we're to win 7/9 and avoid defeat between now and May I'd argue we have a better chance of doing that with a "natural" defender. Its not like we dont have them on the bench or ressies. Pugh has a big role to play between now and May, but I believe it might be in his more natural position. Just a thought like, I'm not gaffer Pulis is and we sit second. So obviously there is a strong argument that TP knows best. That said I'm not alone in thinking we're weakened with him at full back.
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Post by SneydGreenStokie on Mar 9, 2008 20:37:38 GMT
It's not in our hands, GeordieDave. WBA have games in hand and we haven't won our last 3 games, scoring only 2 in the last four. Even if we win every remaining game, we'll have to hope WBA lose along the way. Fingers crossed though. Of course its in our hands. Bristol are 3 points above us but our goal difference is much better. If we beat them and match all of their results, we go above them. If we beat Watford, we go above them and enhance our goal difference and go 3 points clear of them. They have to play WBA and Bristol and so therefore, provided we match those two teams results and beat them along the way, we are home and dry, regardless of WBA. SGS
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Post by GeordieDave on Mar 10, 2008 14:09:05 GMT
Anyone else agree that WBA progressing in the Cup was the best possible result for Stoke? Being callous its an extra game (or two) and further distraction from the job in hand.
That said, with perhaps a tem minute spell in the first half, I thought they looked very fucking good yesterday. That was a massive banana skin, and they looked class.
I hope TP was watching what they had up top ...!
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Post by Titan Uranus on Mar 10, 2008 14:33:46 GMT
"I'm confident that if we fail to go up, there will be dozens of people on this board slagging off Pulis, individual players, Peter Coates, etc etc.
This has been a great season, far better than any of us predicted and we should be grateful for it...."
Exactly the type of sentiment that we do not need.
IT WILL ONLY BE A GREAT SEASON IF WE GET PROMOTED !!
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Post by jezzascfc on Mar 10, 2008 14:51:33 GMT
As I said in my Sentinel column last Friday (which probably nobody bloody read!), TP has some tough decisions to make if we are to get back on track for a top two finish - he made some at the weekend (dropping Simo and Ryan), but not enough (he kept faith with Salif and Mama, and didn't move Pugh into central midfield and bring in Gallagher).
A loan striker is a MUST this week to give the club a lift, as is a kick up the arse for the mercurial Fuller.
We can do this, but we need either lots of other results to go our way or we must take the bull by the horns and start playing like a team that truly believes it can win promotion.
If Pulis retreats into his defensive shell, like he unforgiveably did at QPR on the final day of last season, we will subside quietly to a 4th/5th finish on the back of a poor run and have no momentum going into the play-offs.
We need to find some form again and fast - it is Pulis' job to get the right players playing in the right positions in the right frame of mind.
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Post by GoBoks on Mar 10, 2008 15:23:50 GMT
Sorry ArchiesDad, I understand what you're saying about this will only be a great season if we are promoted, BUT, even if we fail (Please God, don't let that happen), does not mean that we should not appreciate the effort that Coates, Pulis and the players have made.
After the first 6 games of the season, who would have accepted failing in the playoffs as a final result for this season? - almost everyone! So how did we get into the position we are? The players played well above themselves, Coates made money available, Pulis spent it wisely and got good players who fit in well.
Yes, this is the best chance we have had in many many years and I will be just as hacked off as anyone if we fail, but I still appreciate the hard work and effort to give us this chance in the first place.
No matter what the outcome of this season, THANKYOU Peter Coates, the Stoke City Players, Tony Pulis and the management team for one of the most enjoyable seasons in many years.
GOAARRRRRN STOKE!!
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Post by Titan Uranus on Mar 10, 2008 15:28:20 GMT
sorry Boks
If we fail it will be one of the most miserable seasons for years...
for me anyway.... perhaps just on my own on this.
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Post by GoBoks on Mar 10, 2008 15:33:47 GMT
I understand where you're coming from, but for me, I would rather experience a season like this where we have genuine hope rather than the binary season where we were never in danger of relegation but never a serious hope for the playoffs either. Even last season, if we'd thumped QPR on the last day, we still would not have made the playoffs. I'd rather have us in with a genuine shout of achieving something.
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Mar 10, 2008 15:38:41 GMT
There's loads to play for, and I can't see any of the contenders winning all their remaining games. It's just not that kind of league.
If someone does put together a run of 9 straight wins at this stage in the season, then they deserve the title and promotion.
Much more likely that points will be dropped all the time, and we're in for a down to the wire, last match nailbiter.
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Post by mermaidsal on Mar 10, 2008 15:44:57 GMT
Dave, I think that's a great analysis and I agree with you. So much now is down to sheer balls when it matters, TP's above all and in this case it's about being brave enough to change not pig-headed enough to fall back on the Pulis system, which would only deliver right now if Ricci was on fire, Mama hadn't been rumbled and if we'd got a watertight defence. I believe TP's got the balls myself but we've got to see things happen this week, otherwise auto may be out of reach.
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Post by thepremierbanksy on Mar 10, 2008 16:35:47 GMT
Is anyone else thinking/hoping that Tone's dreaded manager of the month award can explain our current loss of form?
I am desparate!
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Post by potters 22 on Mar 10, 2008 16:52:49 GMT
'If we fail it will be one of the most miserable seasons for years'?
Why will it? do you enjoy mid table finishes then? ???
It will have been a memorable/great season no matter what.
Win promotion and it'll be unbelievable!
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Post by beagriestache on Mar 10, 2008 17:29:27 GMT
Yep, you're on your own with that one Archiesdad.
In fact, you have neatly summarised the average moaning Stokie. In the face of a season beyond all rational Stoke fans expectations already (regardless of the final outcome), you manage to anticipate the negative!
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Post by Titan Uranus on Mar 10, 2008 18:26:51 GMT
beagrie
you have summarised the typical "it will do" Stokie.
always the same... next season
If some of you guys think failure to win promotion is a great season, then ever likely we have done fuck all for thirty odd years.
potters22
If we lose in the play-offs ..come back and tell me it's been a great season...
as Dallascowboy has said on another thread, remaining in this division for another season is not an option.
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Post by GoBoks on Mar 10, 2008 18:45:33 GMT
ArchiesDad,
Again, no one is saying we do not want promotion, (I for one will be disappointed if we are not champions), however, regardless of final outcome, tell me which season in the past 20 years has been better than this season?
As for your comment about achieving nothing ........ if one takes that viewpoint, Guess what ...... we're Stokies ....... apart from one league cup, two of this tier titles, two of lower tier titles and a few non-entity cups, we have achieved nothing for the past 145 years. I'd rather enjoy being in the hunt and having a season of hope than just another midtable drudge with nothing to hope for!
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Post by Titan Uranus on Mar 10, 2008 19:18:21 GMT
GoBoks
Big difference now matey
Sir Pete has raised the bar, he has upped the ante, he has put his precious wad on the block
You ask PC if he has had a "great season" if we lose in the play-offs.
We could get into a psycho-babble discussion about people's aspirations and what constitutes success, but .... for me a "great" season is winning something... nothing more nothing less.
I can think of a whole lot more adjectives to describe anything other than that.
Perhaps this is the reason why we have done nowt for so long...because people accept it as the norm here in Stoke-on-Trent.
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Post by thepremierbanksy on Mar 10, 2008 19:47:05 GMT
I have been saying this for a while, if we do not gain promotion this year, we have still achieved something; we have raised our own bar for next season, and we also have what we have not had for quite a few seasons on the bounce now - pretty much a whole team (that can compete) signed up long term that is there on the first day of pre-season training.
We are in a great position right now and we should do nothing less than try and take it with both hands while we are there, but at least it looks on paper as if there is every chance of us trying to grasp the same thing next year should we drop the ball this time around. Progress has been made this season, progress is not GREAT but is at least good.
to emphasise my point:
simmo cort, shawcross, griffin, pugh, wilkinson, dickinson lawrence, delap, diao, whelan fuller, cresswell, mama
will all be at the club next season unless we sell them, these players are the base which to add even better players to - all is not lost if we don't go up. Like Archiesdad I will be gutted if we don't, but this time next season we could* be a far superior side to now and be saying "glad we didn't go up last season, we would've done a derby".
*us being us there is every chance these same players will be in a relegation battle this time next year!
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Post by Titan Uranus on Mar 10, 2008 19:56:55 GMT
Understand what you are saying Banksy, but...
as you have pointed out, football has a horrible knack of kicking you in the gonads just when you are least expecting it.
nobody can predict what will happen next year, nobody.
For example, Sir Pete could shuffle off this mortal coil(God forbid) ... what happens then?
As regards your "glad we didn't go up last season" comment... sorry, don't agree with that at all.
Seize the moment.
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Post by Titan Uranus on Mar 10, 2008 20:04:37 GMT
1992/93
that's what you call a "great "season
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