ianrb1
Youth Player
' Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you have got till it's gone'
Posts: 443
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Post by ianrb1 on Apr 24, 2008 20:21:44 GMT
Trips to the barbers are not commonplace for me these days as I've not got much hair but the lads in the shop will be delighted by how things (may) turn out.
Ilford, I didn't 'follow' TP to Plymouth, I was on holiday in Looe and saw the opportunity to take in a game at Home Park.
As MCF says, the real skill by TP this season was to wait until the right players became available, he could have gone out in the Summer and splashed the cash on any number of players but they wouldn't have been right for the club. He bided his time and got his men.
We are tough, physical and direct but you need much more than that to be successful and Fuller and Lawrence have been the key players. I would also suggest that very few of our goals have come from 'hoofing' it, certainly far less than in the Macari era anyway.
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Post by kinnell on Apr 24, 2008 20:33:52 GMT
Oh no! HE'S in denial about the style of play now! The man's never satisfied! And not a word of acknowledgment for my little paean!
PS Saturday, for example, was a set-piece and a hoof and a knock-on: two typical Stoke goals. You HAVE been at Mr Teasy Weasy's haven't you! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Or was it 'work commitments'? ;D
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ianrb1
Youth Player
' Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you have got till it's gone'
Posts: 443
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Post by ianrb1 on Apr 24, 2008 21:06:19 GMT
The second goal was actually a very deft touch from Fuller to put Mama through.
I always said that people's opinion of the manager and whether he could deliver success was a judgment call, we have won nothing yet so let's leave the plaudits/brickbats until we know where we are headed.
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Post by kinnell on Apr 24, 2008 22:02:27 GMT
You see, Ian, the way we play is a long ball up to Sidibe (or, in this case, Fuller) who, deftly or not, then attempts to nudge it on to his strike partner. That's how Pulis's teams have always been set up. Strange you've never noticed.
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Post by BuzzB on Apr 24, 2008 22:33:39 GMT
its not a long ball its a "measured pass". well thats what MOTD commentators say when Chelski or whoever do it. ;D ;D
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andypleedsstokie
Academy Starlet
All aboard the Stoke City football special. Destination: New Direction
Posts: 144
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Post by andypleedsstokie on Apr 24, 2008 23:25:24 GMT
I'm sorry I don't buy this bided his time and brought the right player when he could bullocks. Earlier on in the season Pulis and Coates were moaning that players wouldn't come to Stoke for the money we were offering, he wanted to increase the squad etc as it lacked strength in depth we were trying hard but failing blah blah, then all of a sudden when he brings players in later on in the season he's claiming it as a masterstroke and his actual plan all along. Even Ian and his Dad were telling me during the home game against Charlton on TV that quality players wouldn't come to Stoke because of the wages we offered. So what changed? Either Coates increased the wage budget or that argument was false.
Certain players we did bring in were more luck than judgement - Pulis admitted that he didn't know Cresswell was available until rung up by his agent so he was definitely never part of the plan (and has played out of position all season as a result) and arguably our most influencial player Lawrence would not have come for such a bargain price if Sunderland hadn't taken a moral stance and wanted rid of him after the ahem incident in the hotel room.
Pulis has spent a lot of money this year and has filled the squad with players with arguably Premiership quality and in some cases experience. For the outlay Coates has made we shouldn't be spluttering along making such a hard job of being promoted from what has been a very average division this season and playing some dire stuff in the process. That said it's now in our hands (again) and arses should be kicked if we don't go up. However I'm not counting chickens yet because Stoke always have the ability to kick you in the knackers when your hopes are up. I'd at least expect them to make us sweat until the last game of the season!
By the way Ian according to my Owd Man your Owd Man expressed an opinion the other day that Stoke were no more than an average mid-table side and he didn't know how they were currently second! (I share that opinion!) Careful, he's not towing the party line! ;-) Have a word!
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Post by headsgoup on Apr 24, 2008 23:46:36 GMT
Ian was right and I've always more or less shared his views.
If the Pulis detractors aren't convinced now, then they never will.
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caliban
Lads'n'Dads
Wierdo's I have known!
Posts: 90
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Post by caliban on Apr 25, 2008 5:46:32 GMT
Andypleedsstokie, at last some common sense answers to Ianrb's resolution to TP loveins.
It seemed more luck than judgement to me too that Ian (and his barbers quartet) got things right, not that I'm critisising TP, he has got things right with Coates money, and respect is due, but this is more down to what you have said than anything Ian could or would say. Offering excuses for Pulis pre-match against teams we should roll over in case things went wrong is one example.
Ive always said that Ian has stood his ground on the TP issue and I respect him for that, but a lot of his arguements were extremist, delusional and narrow mindededly blinkered.
But on the whole some of his comments have been highly amusing to me and I must admit I love reading his posts.
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ianrb1
Youth Player
' Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you have got till it's gone'
Posts: 443
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Post by ianrb1 on Apr 25, 2008 6:55:24 GMT
I'm not aware of my old man saying that Andy, as you know he is a big admirer of TP but he would like to see more of a passing game.
TP has spent a lot of money, certainly by Stoke standards, but he has earned the right to do so. Taking his first spell and last season together in terms of transfers in/out, he was massively in the black so he has deserved a crack at spending some money.
The division is much of a muchness in terms of quality but we are far from being the only spenders and some teams are packed with ex-Premiership players. For me, West Brazil should be the team who ought to be already promoted by a country mile. Our squad has evolved as the season has gone on and I think that is why we have struggled for consistency at times.
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Post by slangking on Apr 25, 2008 6:56:37 GMT
That was funny ;D After all NO-ONE has been more wrong about Pulis than him below, EVEN now, even when we are second with our best chance in 23 long years to get back to the top he STILL won't give Pulis any credit. This says more about him than it does about Pulis, we look like a mid table side? We probably do, so what is the difference but the manager? Apparently he has spent a lot of money???? Fact remains Sheffield Utd spent almost as much on one player. At the start of the season most people said that the three teams coming back up would probably be recent Premiership parachute payment clubs, W.Brom and maybe Watford are still on for it, if we break this strangle-hold it will be an extraordinary achievement, to try to denigrate it is pathetic, I would expect it from rival fans, for our own 'fans' (loosely described) to indulge in it is little short of disgusting and traitorous. Swallow your pride, you were wrong. I'm sorry I don't buy this bided his time and brought the right player when he could bullocks. Earlier on in the season Pulis and Coates were moaning that players wouldn't come to Stoke for the money we were offering, he wanted to increase the squad etc as it lacked strength in depth we were trying hard but failing blah blah, then all of a sudden when he brings players in later on in the season he's claiming it as a masterstroke and his actual plan all along. Even Ian and his Dad were telling me during the home game against Charlton on TV that quality players wouldn't come to Stoke because of the wages we offered. So what changed? Either Coates increased the wage budget or that argument was false. Certain players we did bring in were more luck than judgement - Pulis admitted that he didn't know Cresswell was available until rung up by his agent so he was definitely never part of the plan (and has played out of position all season as a result) and arguably our most influencial player Lawrence would not have come for such a bargain price if Sunderland hadn't taken a moral stance and wanted rid of him after the ahem incident in the hotel room. Pulis has spent a lot of money this year and has filled the squad with players with arguably Premiership quality and in some cases experience. For the outlay Coates has made we shouldn't be spluttering along making such a hard job of being promoted from what has been a very average division this season and playing some dire stuff in the process. That said it's now in our hands (again) and arses should be kicked if we don't go up. However I'm not counting chickens yet because Stoke always have the ability to kick you in the knackers when your hopes are up. I'd at least expect them to make us sweat until the last game of the season! By the way Ian according to my Owd Man your Owd Man expressed an opinion the other day that Stoke were no more than an average mid-table side and he didn't know how they were currently second! (I share that opinion!) Careful, he's not towing the party line! ;-) Have a word!
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ianrb1
Youth Player
' Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you have got till it's gone'
Posts: 443
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Post by ianrb1 on Apr 25, 2008 7:13:19 GMT
I think Andy has rubbished TP to so many people, friends family and work colleagues, he won't mind admitting he will be a bit embarassed if we do make it !
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andypleedsstokie
Academy Starlet
All aboard the Stoke City football special. Destination: New Direction
Posts: 144
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Post by andypleedsstokie on Apr 25, 2008 10:33:17 GMT
I said from the outset when Pulis was appointed first time round I didn't think he was the man to lead us to the promised land but said I'd be happy if he proved me wrong. It's in writing on the "90 Miles from Home" website.
Whatever the outcome of this season we'll no doubt finish in our highest position for years. Pulis' "style" and functional football have played a large part in that, we are hard to beat. Credit for that. But let's not fall into the trap of lauding this man as some messiah who has achieved great things because there are other factors to consider and he doesn't operate in a vacuum. He's had one of the most average divisions I've seen to compete in where anyone can beat anyone, and no side has really stood out. For example Scunthorpe who went down gave us two good games and were unlucky not to take more points from us. He's also had the largest wad of cash available to spend of a Stoke manager in history, and still not made best use of the talents in the side and played some awful stuff that has been rightly criticised by the media. He makes me not want to go! I said I'd warm to him if he took us up and provided me entertaining football, but I doubted he could do that. I was right on that count and that along with the other reasons stated above is why I still dislike him whatever he "achieves" in the next week. On the occasion that friends and colleagues have watched Stoke on Sky they have understood completely my frustrations and dislike of the football. My colleague described Pulis as "like a caged animal" in one of the interviews.
Ian I agree with you that WBA should have been running away with this league, but we had several chances to do so too and failed due to poor form and a lack of adventure.
Apparently that's what your Dad told mine the other night when he saw him! Court marshall offence surely?!
Well if anyone wants to congratulate Ian in person look out for a youth in a new Cleveland Browns cap against Leicester courtesy of my recent trip to Florida. If you'll excuse me now I must leave for Belgium! ;-)
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Post by sheikhmomo on Apr 25, 2008 10:37:01 GMT
'More by luck than judgement' Thats Wankstainese for well done TP.
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Post by **** Pulling Himself Off on Apr 25, 2008 11:24:50 GMT
What about Tony Pulis being a cancer which is slowly destroying Stoke City then, kinnell.
Were you wrong about that too?
I wish I could be arsed to drag up some of the old threads from the rivals board you posted. Some of them were borderline psychotic.
You're a stubborn old fool, who wouldn't accept Pulis if he ended World Poverty - says more about you than him in my opinion.
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Post by tazi on Apr 25, 2008 12:47:19 GMT
In a Division where any team can beat each other i would not call that average, in fact in my opinion i would call that ultra competitive.
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Post by The Toxic Avenger on Apr 25, 2008 13:34:57 GMT
This goal-post moving "shouldn't have made such hard work of it" stuff is absolute bollocks. West Brom spent fuckloads and they're aren't there yet either. Bristol City, contrary to popular opinion, haven't done it on a shoestring either, Watford have spent over £5 million quid at least, Wolves, Coventry, Leicester have all splurged and all are below us. It's not like we're Chelsea, outspending everyone at a canter.
So what if Lawrence might not have come if Sunderland didn't want rid? The fact is they did, and we sold the club to him sufficiently to bring him in for what has turned out to be an absolute steal.
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Post by OldStokie on Apr 25, 2008 15:49:59 GMT
Does it matter? Ian will be right if we make it and we are all the better off for it. I'll buy you a beer if ever we meet. Well done. Short back and sides with a slice of humble pie, please. OS.
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Post by GillowHeathStokie on Apr 25, 2008 16:00:01 GMT
he aint got owt right YET!
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Post by lordb on Apr 25, 2008 16:19:10 GMT
Ian: your point that TP sides play less long ball than Macari sides did just doesnt hold water
@ times we had Stein partnerd with Shaw & in his second spell it was Studger with Sheron
hardly land of the giants was it?
what I would say is when TP's sides play @ their best it is very high tempo which IS very reminiscent of Lou's Stoke.
detractors might call it kick & rush!
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Post by kinnell on Apr 25, 2008 16:51:04 GMT
Quite right, m'lord. Ian don't know because Ian don't go. All this longball-denial really does take a leaf out of TP's Big Book of Spin. Make no mistake, it's hoofball: a long ball to a massive athletic bloke who then knocks on to a single speedy striker. I call that hoofball. Others can call it exactly what they like. And Andy is absolutely right: the meeja has us off to a tee. But why all the whining? We are what we are. But, rather than admit they don't like our style (because that would be criticising Saint Tony and admitting the hated meeja is right), the Rimmers choose to shut their eyes and pretend Sidibe doesn't exist, our constant hoofing from the back never happens and Whelan hasn't developed a crick in the neck. Laughable.
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Post by tazi on Apr 25, 2008 16:56:00 GMT
What certain posters fail to mention is that along with Stoke playing so called hoofball we can also mix it up too and at times have played decent stuff when required to keep it on the floor.
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Post by kinnell on Apr 25, 2008 17:02:01 GMT
Er......when?
You mean when Fuller gets hold of it I assume? Or when Hendrie tried to buck the system last season? Our centre mid is there for one thing and one thing only: to protect the back four. Hence hoofball. We're not daft you know!
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Post by Titan Uranus on Apr 25, 2008 17:03:31 GMT
bet your missus was pleased
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Post by tazi on Apr 25, 2008 17:17:08 GMT
Er......when? You mean when Fuller gets hold of it I assume? Or when Hendrie tried to buck the system last season? Our centre mid is there for one thing and one thing only: to protect the back four. Hence hoofball. We're not daft you know! Surely you're not blinkered that much to the point in assuming that Stoke have being hoofball all season.....surely not. Fuller does display his skills when on the ball, so really you are wrong to suggest that we are just a hoofball team. What about the runs and skills of a certain Liam Lawrence?, surely we dont just by-pass him do we?.
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Post by stayingupforbigbazza on Apr 25, 2008 17:33:24 GMT
Foo Kinnell /Hudsonknob
Still got all those red cards ???
Suppose you'd like us to get promoted and then get those cards out again after 10 games or so next season ???
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Post by Hiram on Apr 25, 2008 18:03:37 GMT
"In a Division where any team can beat each other i would not call that average, in fact in my opinion i would call that ultra competitive"
I totally agree with that tazi. I can't see how people can use the fact we're "not running away with the league" as a justification for criticism of SuperTone. ???
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Post by kinnell on Apr 25, 2008 18:25:32 GMT
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Post by kinnell on Apr 25, 2008 18:26:03 GMT
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Post by **** Pulling Himself Off on Apr 25, 2008 18:32:38 GMT
What about Tony Pulis being a cancer which is slowly destroying Stoke City then, kinnell.
Were you wrong about that too?
I wish I could be arsed to drag up some of the old threads from the rivals board you posted. Some of them were borderline psychotic.
You're a stubborn old fool, who wouldn't accept Pulis if he ended World Poverty - says more about you than him in my opinion.
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Post by stayingupforbigbazza on Apr 25, 2008 18:51:43 GMT
Kinder
"borderline psychotic"
Could apply to alot of the TP haters
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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