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Post by kevkj on Jun 25, 2013 19:48:49 GMT
With the FIFA Confederations Cup drawing to an end, the 2012/13 football season is finally all but over – and it’s been a long season. Whilst the business of football on the pitch takes a much needed break, the business of football off the pitch steps up a gear as the transfer window takes over.
As is somewhat typical now, many of the big teams have already began their transfer dealings – and there have been various rumours too; the biggest of which is Cesc Fabregas heading back to English shores.
Whilst some team managers will have to wait to sell players before being able to buy any, new Stoke boss Mark Hughes won’t have such a millstone around his budget following the release of various players last month.
Somewhat surprising though, was the decision last week by Hughes to offer Jermaine Pennant a new contract, following the announcement he was on the released list.
Mark Hughes’ appointment, and his ability to forgive players for mistakes, should be marked in every Stoke City fan’s diary.
The former England and Liverpool right-winger found himself dropped from the first team last season – and even got farmed out on loan to local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Championship.
There was no obvious reason as to why Pennant got dropped from the team, but rumours circulated on various fan message-boards say that it was down to an argument with former boss Tony Pulis. The club quelled the rumours with an unofficial statement that it was, instead, due to the player’s indiscretions and run-ins with the law.
Whatever the reason why, there’s no doubt that Pennant wouldn’t have been given a further chance by Pulis – evidenced by the fact the winger wasn’t even considered post-Christmas when the team desperately needed strong attacking wingers as opposed to strikers being shoe-horned into those positions.
It isn’t, of course, the first time that Pulis has found it beyond his power to forgive a player’s indiscretions.
Stoke fans will remember his dressing-room bust up with James Beattie, whilst it’s long been rumoured he had a variety of arguments with Dave Kitson, Tuncay and even former fan-favourite Liam Lawrence.
Mark Hughes’ appointment, and his ability to forgive players for mistakes, should be marked in every Stoke City fan’s diary.
After nearly a decade, it seems the Potters are now being managed by a man who chooses players on their ability, rather than their position on his Christmas card list.
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Post by mccfred on Jun 25, 2013 20:02:14 GMT
Well-written, regardless of your opinion on Pulis or Hughes
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Post by stokiejoe on Jun 25, 2013 20:08:08 GMT
Excellent post Kev
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Post by kevkj on Jun 25, 2013 20:10:41 GMT
Makes you think doesnt it.
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Post by shiftyfifty on Jun 25, 2013 20:29:51 GMT
Makes you think doesnt it. Am I missing something? There doesn't appear to be anything there that we didn't know already. |
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Post by TheWiseMaster on Jun 25, 2013 21:18:05 GMT
Looks like a propaganda exercise - Hughes must have someone on the inside writing that garbage  |
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hicc
Spectator
Hughes surveys Stokes midtable finishes & says: "You'll never be in this position again with me"
Posts: 49 
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Post by hicc on Jun 25, 2013 21:45:03 GMT
Plenty of friends in the media, perpetuating the myth that he isn't clueless!
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Post by boskampsflaps on Jun 26, 2013 0:27:36 GMT
Plenty of friends in the media, perpetuating the myth that he isn't clueless! I think there's plenty of other things that prove he's not clueless, Wales, Blackburn, Fulham and he didn't do to bad at Man City ( better than Mancini did in the same season) |
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Post by lastoftheldk on Jun 26, 2013 0:48:08 GMT
you got something out of wearing the gold and black tie
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Post by RipRoaringPotter on Jun 26, 2013 1:49:48 GMT
Was that written by someone on here?
It looks like they've got most of the information about arguements from rumours on here. I know the Metro is on a limited budget and has to knock things out pretty quick, but couldn't they just include a link to this board and have it done with?
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Post by Championship Potter on Jun 26, 2013 3:23:30 GMT
The article conveniently fails to mention his lacklustre loan spell at Wolves and the fact that you can count the number of good games he's had since 2011 on one hand.
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Post by sage on Jun 26, 2013 5:24:24 GMT
After nearly a decade, it seems the Potters are now being managed by a man who chooses players on their ability, rather than their position on his Christmas card list. This is the most salient point in the article. Hallelujah! |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2013 5:25:15 GMT
The article conveniently fails to mention his lacklustre loan spell at Wolves and the fact that you can count the number of good games he's had since 2011 on one hand. That can be said about the rest of the squad too |
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Post by werrington on Jun 26, 2013 5:36:58 GMT
The article conveniently fails to mention his lacklustre loan spell at Wolves and the fact that you can count the number of good games he's had since 2011 on one hand. He was dropped for the Everton game in December 2011 and has hardly featured since die to Pulis holding his grudge That probably answers your question also |
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Post by greyman on Jun 26, 2013 10:22:09 GMT
The article conveniently fails to mention his lacklustre loan spell at Wolves and the fact that you can count the number of good games he's had since 2011 on one hand. Which would be up to 5 games more than Matty Etherington |
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Post by TheWiseMaster on Jun 26, 2013 10:26:37 GMT
The article conveniently fails to mention his lacklustre loan spell at Wolves and the fact that you can count the number of good games he's had since 2011 on one hand. He was dropped for the Everton game in December 2011 and has hardly featured since die to Pulis holding his grudge That probably answers your question also I can't beieve that anyone is taken in by this tripe! Pennant is a good footballer and I sincereley hope that he gets his head down and gets back to his best (if he can) However, every man and his dog knows that Pennabt has had problems - particularly with alcohol. No manager would tolerate the way he behaved last season and that includes Mark Hughes. If history repeats itself then Pennant will get exactly the same response from Hughes that he did from Pulis  |
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Post by stokeramblers on Jun 26, 2013 10:27:58 GMT
Freemasons probably.
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Post by philb on Jun 26, 2013 10:30:29 GMT
He was dropped for the Everton game in December 2011 and has hardly featured since die to Pulis holding his grudge That probably answers your question also I can't beieve that anyone is taken in by this tripe! Pennant is a good footballer and I sincereley hope that he gets his head down and gets back to his best (if he can) However, every man and his dog knows that Pennabt has had problems - particularly with alcohol. No manager would tolerate the way he behaved last season and that includes Mark Hughes. If history repeats itself then Pennant will get exactly the same response from Hughes that he did from Pulis To be honest I think he'll be used as a squad player/back up. I'd be surprised if come August he was first choice winger ditto Etherington (hopefully) |
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Post by shiftyfifty on Jun 26, 2013 10:42:41 GMT
It seems the obvious thing to do really considering we're trying to tighten our purse strings, why not give him another chance with a new manager instead of spending 4 or 5 million on a new winger? Whether it works out or not is a different matter.
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