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Post by Trouserdog on Feb 27, 2017 7:09:13 GMT
It's simply being realistic and grateful for what we've got. I'll never understand the spoilt brats who demand year-on-year improvement like it's a God-given right, who confuse the real world with FIFA 17 and have either forgotten what it was like to attend games when we were shit or never even knew. Isn't the whole purpose of a football team to improve? It is realistic to improve. So using that logic we should demand to win the league in 8 years time. We should aim to improve- we shouldn't expect it.
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Post by Trouserdog on Feb 27, 2017 7:10:17 GMT
The former, I'm afraid. Many people have lost all sight of what's realistic. That's complete bollocks. Complete bollocks? Or just a different opinion to yours?
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Post by WhyDelilah on Feb 27, 2017 7:22:39 GMT
That's complete bollocks. Complete bollocks? Or just a different opinion to yours? Complete bollocks. All enjoyment has gone. What's the point if entertainment is null and void? If you told me we'd finish 10th again next season under Hughes, and we'd achieve it by grinding our dull and uninspiring victories against the shit teams in the league, and regularly getting spanked by anybody decent - I'd politely decline. This is where we differ. You're obviously of the school of thought that this is as good as it gets, we should be eternally grateful and any notion that we should want more (or just something different and hopefully more enjoyable) is the opinion of a spoilt brat. And that for me is complete bollocks. When did enjoyment become an irrelevant factor in all this? We're a complete mess. We lack all cohesion and any sense of direction. All the money (and there's been a lot of it) invested seems to be wasted. We look completely lost and disjointed. But, more importantly of all, it's not enjoyable anymore. How many highlights can you remember from this season? On the whole, it's been dull as dishwater. Even when we do manage a win, it tends to be tedious. I can understand why some fans want a change.
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Post by jeycov on Feb 27, 2017 7:58:07 GMT
It's simply being realistic and grateful for what we've got. I'll never understand the spoilt brats who demand year-on-year improvement like it's a God-given right, who confuse the real world with FIFA 17 and have either forgotten what it was like to attend games when we were shit or never even knew. Isn't the whole purpose of a football team to improve? It is realistic to improve. But if everyone improves at the same rate we'll still be 9th I'm not confident we will make the top 10 this season, an unbalanced team for too many games. However we cannot afford to get rid of too many - players will expect to start, only room for 11 ( Bojan being an example ) so we will need to retain some of those who will be squad players . Let's try and retain Bruno, add a Whelan replacement and ideally another Cb, FB and forward. It's not an ideal world however
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Post by baltipiesmuggler on Feb 27, 2017 8:06:32 GMT
There seems a great irony that most were happy enough for TP to go as the football had become tiresome and unenjoyable.
Why should it be any different now under Hughes?
It's not about where we expect to finish in the league. It's about the fact that it's been generally fucking painful to watch, even when we've won.
Sent from my SM-G928F using proboards
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2017 8:45:12 GMT
I do not think it is unrealistic to be aiming higher. Yes, Most of us appreciate that we cannot compete with the top 6, but look at what Southampton have achieved, despite selling some of their best players in the past few years. Shrewd buys and good management have allowed them to get into Europe and they put up a good display against United yesterday. We are just too inconsistent. 12 goals conceded against Spurs in 3 games is not good enough. Because of Coates' backing we are one of the wealthiest clubs in the Prem, but our recruitment policy leaves a lot to be desired.Look how we missed out on Gabbiadini. He looks a great investment.If I had my way Imbula would be sold, even if it means a loss. His atitude is all wrong!! We need to assess our needs for next season and then buy early in the transfer market to give players time to 'bed in'.Also, as we have little toplay for why does Hughes not give some of the youngsters a chsnce?
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Post by SamB_SCFC on Feb 27, 2017 8:50:15 GMT
It's about being realistic. Obviously it's possible to break out of mid table and into the top 6 or even beyond, Leicester proved that last season. Get the right manager, make some shrewd signings and have a few stars align and it's possible. However for a club like us it's very, very rare for that to happen. Off the top of my head there was Leicester last season, Ipswich finished 5th in the early 2000s. Maybe Bolton got top 6 in their heyday under Allardyce when they had Anelka etc. Other than that though I can't think of many others who have made it and where teams have broken through it's usually been a one season wonder before they've fell back to their usual level in mid table or lower. I'm not saying we can never reach higher than mid table or we shouldn't aim for it, in the end of the day it's that hope and ambition to improve which keeps you coming back. You need a dream and an aim as a football fan and saying we can never get higher than mid table is depressing as you say. However I don't think that's what most fans are saying at all, it's about putting things into perspective and distinguishing between what is a true crisis and what is just a little bit disappointing. If you have unrealistic expectations you'll always be disappointed it's about getting the balance right between ambition and seeking to improve and what is realistically achievable for a club our size. I don't think it's unrealistic at all to improve from mid-table. People make out like it's impossible. It's not unrealistic at all but we have to be careful with what we class as failure and be realistic with our demands. A big relegation struggle right now would class as a failure in my eyes but mid table again I'd class as par. That said though there are clearly big problems with the balance and age of our squad, big questions over Hughes's tactics and whether he knows himself what he wants to achieve and also some big questions over his recent transfer record. Coates needs to ask him these questions at the end of the season and also question whether he has the desire to undertake the big rebuilding job that is needed to phase out some of the old guard and incorporate some more pace into the team. If his answers aren't good enough then he needs to move Hughes on.
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Post by pulismaskreplica on Feb 27, 2017 9:14:17 GMT
I'm happy with mid table whether it be 9, 10, 11 or 12. I'm not happy with drab performances or a continued lack of intensity, pace and goals. If this makes me less of a supporter then so be it. I can't just turn up week after week to watch dross - it puts me in a bad mood and ruins my weekends
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2017 9:57:55 GMT
I'm happy with mid table whether it be 9, 10, 11 or 12. I'm not happy with drab performances or a continued lack of intensity, pace and goals. If this makes me less of a supporter then so be it. I can't just turn up week after week to watch dross - it puts me in a bad mood and ruins my weekends If this one thing I've learned about watching so called drab performances, it's that they're still infinitely better than listening to them on the radio or watching them on a dodgy stream.....
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Post by riccyfuller93 on Feb 27, 2017 18:21:17 GMT
Isn't the whole purpose of a football team to improve? It is realistic to improve. So using that logic we should demand to win the league in 8 years time. We should aim to improve- we shouldn't expect it. Nobody has demanded to win the league.
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Post by bayernoatcake on Feb 27, 2017 18:22:47 GMT
I don't understand posters like you who seem to have this idea that we can ONLY be a mid table team with a cup run here and there. Like that's the line, it's impossible to progress. What a fucking horrible mentality to have. It's simply being realistic and grateful for what we've got. I'll never understand the spoilt brats who demand year-on-year improvement like it's a God-given right, who confuse the real world with FIFA 17 and have either forgotten what it was like to attend games when we were shit or never even knew. That has fuck all to do with now though. The only thing it does is holds us back!
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Post by Trouserdog on Feb 27, 2017 18:30:39 GMT
Complete bollocks? Or just a different opinion to yours? Complete bollocks. All enjoyment has gone. What's the point if entertainment is null and void? If you told me we'd finish 10th again next season under Hughes, and we'd achieve it by grinding our dull and uninspiring victories against the shit teams in the league, and regularly getting spanked by anybody decent - I'd politely decline. This is where we differ. You're obviously of the school of thought that this is as good as it gets, we should be eternally grateful and any notion that we should want more (or just something different and hopefully more enjoyable) is the opinion of a spoilt brat. And that for me is complete bollocks. When did enjoyment become an irrelevant factor in all this? We're a complete mess. We lack all cohesion and any sense of direction. All the money (and there's been a lot of it) invested seems to be wasted. We look completely lost and disjointed. But, more importantly of all, it's not enjoyable anymore. How many highlights can you remember from this season? On the whole, it's been dull as dishwater. Even when we do manage a win, it tends to be tedious. I can understand why some fans want a change. It's not been a great season, no- I'll be glad when it's all over. I'd like more entertainment, I'd like us to stop getting spanked by 4 goals, I'd like us to have a more tangible gameplan. However, I can't help but step outside the whirlpool of misery that so many people on here seem to get sucked into at the slightest problem and look at how the situation appears on the outside. If another club sacked their manager after 4 top half finishes we'd piss ourselves laughing at them and say they deserved to go down. That's exactly what we'd deserve too if Peter Coates listened to the brattish wailing on here. He won't though...thank goodness.
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Post by adiebunn on Feb 28, 2017 12:00:13 GMT
I posted this on another thread but perhaps it should have gone on here :- Must admit after supporting Stoke for well over 40 years, being a 1972 Wembley veteran and a season ticket holder for the past 30 plus years I am seriously thinking there might be better things to spend my money on. I am just getting bored with not just Stoke but football in general. The excessive even obscene amounts of money paid to players and the jazzing up of the game really annoys me. I heard that the Man City players walked down a catwalk being individually introduced to the crowd at the beginning of their European match the other night...WTF !!!!! I know this might sound strange after all the years trying to get promotion but after nine years in the most hallowed league in the world (allegedly), looking back I think I strangely preferred it in the lower leagues when it was exciting as we were trying to win matches in order to win leagues and get promotion. That phrase 'trying to win matches' is the key as all we seem to be doing now is trying not to lose and getting enough points to make us safe for another season of mediocrity and boredom and hoping we might have a decent cup run. I nearly packed it in at the end of the Pulis era but persevered and thought that Hughes would be ok for us. I agree that three top ten finishes possibly justifies his contract but what started out as a refreshing change of style has now somehow petered out to the same sort of dross that Pulis was giving us, relying on a 64 year old midfield combo and a 36 year old striker. Oh well, here's looking forward to an enthralling one nil home win on Saturday with the bus firmly parked in our half for the last 30 mins.
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Feb 28, 2017 12:08:36 GMT
Anybody else giving serious thought about not renewing due to being bored shitless?? I got a season ticket for the first time in 6 years this season but wished I hadn't bothered. Been massively underwhelmed and disappointed by our performances at home. If you are not enjoying going to games and you can't see any prospect of things improving then don't renew your season ticket. What difference does it make if I, or anyone else, feels the same way as you or not?
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Post by mrred on Feb 28, 2017 12:23:49 GMT
I took a years break in the hope that absence makes the heart grow fonder. But picking and choosing games has suited me to the ground. Call it fair-weather, I couldn't give the single dustiest fuck.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2017 12:24:53 GMT
I took a years break in the hope that absence makes the heart grow fonder. But picking and choosing games has suited me to the ground. Call it fair-weather, I couldn't give the single dustiest fuck. Good cause neither could anyone else....
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Post by mrred on Feb 28, 2017 12:56:23 GMT
I took a years break in the hope that absence makes the heart grow fonder. But picking and choosing games has suited me to the ground. Call it fair-weather, I couldn't give the single dustiest fuck. Good cause neither could anyone else.... Given the OP is asking for comments to presumably validate his decision, I'd say he / she might.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2017 12:57:27 GMT
I'm probably not renewing due to.... 1-for a season or two I've been sick of the congestion on m6 and A500 especially midweek night games. (Getting worse each year) 2- atmosphere is so dire at home I'm bored shitless most games. (Much prefer away days...north of staffs of course) 3- premiership football is beginning to sicken me (money wise) 4- the cost to me compared to entertainment I get these days of austerity do not justify spending on season tickets including fuel costs for a 200 mile round trip and £150 parking permit And finally 5- peter Coates himself. Not for his support of the Labour Party, as I've always known that but, I saw an arrogance in him recently that I've never seen before. May sound silly of me but, I've lost respect for the guy. I said probably not renewing at the beginning because, the only thing holding me to a new season ticket is the fact that it's the only regular meet up with my son (lilfraise) these days who's at uni in Sheffield This is the closest I have ever come to falling out of love with Stoke city Crazy considering where we are now compared to when I first supported.
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Post by Jug Bank Stokie on Feb 28, 2017 13:14:55 GMT
I'm probably not renewing due to.... 1-for a season or two I've been sick of the congestion on m6 and A500 especially midweek night games. (Getting worse each year) 2- atmosphere is so dire at home I'm bored shitless most games. (Much prefer away days...north of staffs of course) 3- premiership football is beginning to sicken me (money wise) 4- the cost to me compared to entertainment I get these days of austerity do not justify spending on season tickets including fuel costs for a 200 mile round trip and £150 parking permit And finally 5- peter Coates himself. Not for his support of the Labour Party, as I've always known that but, I saw an arrogance in him recently that I've never seen before. May sound silly of me but, I've lost respect for the guy. I said probably not renewing at the beginning because, the only thing holding me to a new season ticket is the fact that it's the only regular meet up with my son (lilfraise) these days who's at uni in Sheffield This is the closest I have ever come to falling out of love with Stoke city Crazy considering where we are now compared to when I first supported. As long as Coates is putting the money in, who gives a shit?!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2017 13:33:27 GMT
I'm probably not renewing due to.... 1-for a season or two I've been sick of the congestion on m6 and A500 especially midweek night games. (Getting worse each year) 2- atmosphere is so dire at home I'm bored shitless most games. (Much prefer away days...north of staffs of course) 3- premiership football is beginning to sicken me (money wise) 4- the cost to me compared to entertainment I get these days of austerity do not justify spending on season tickets including fuel costs for a 200 mile round trip and £150 parking permit And finally 5- peter Coates himself. Not for his support of the Labour Party, as I've always known that but, I saw an arrogance in him recently that I've never seen before. May sound silly of me but, I've lost respect for the guy. I said probably not renewing at the beginning because, the only thing holding me to a new season ticket is the fact that it's the only regular meet up with my son (lilfraise) these days who's at uni in Sheffield This is the closest I have ever come to falling out of love with Stoke city Crazy considering where we are now compared to when I first supported. As long as Coates is putting the money in, who gives a shit?! True I suppose but, I won't go into my sarcastic views of a millionaire business putting money into a football club for the love of it ... like I say ..."It may sound silly" but, that's the way I feel about the guy. I just find him pretty arrogant. Not saying I'm right. Just my opinion and I'm sure far more think the world of him. Altho the other points I made in the first post are far more important to my loss of interest in renewal
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2017 15:53:45 GMT
I'm going to renew, but another season like this could be the end! I want to see attacking play with a purpose, not the shite we've seen, especially at home, this season!
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Post by pulismaskreplica on Feb 28, 2017 16:11:32 GMT
Anybody else giving serious thought about not renewing due to being bored shitless?? I got a season ticket for the first time in 6 years this season but wished I hadn't bothered. Been massively underwhelmed and disappointed by our performances at home. If you are not enjoying going to games and you can't see any prospect of things improving then don't renew your season ticket. What difference does it make if I, or anyone else, feels the same way as you or not? It doesn't make any difference either way in fairness. I was just interested to know how people felt and if it was just me that felt this way is all. It's like a typical banal question about what's your favourite colour or if you were a fruit what type of fruit would you be
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Post by vintagestein on Feb 28, 2017 16:25:06 GMT
We are mid table in the toughest league in the world? We are a small club from one of the poorest areas of the country! I had a season ticket for every one of the shit years we spent outside of the top flight of English football. That was underwhelming. Yes you pay for entertainment and it is your right to choose. But trust me it don't get better than this at Stoke or any of about 80 other pro clubs. We hang in and hope we can do something in the cup every now and again. It might be underwhelming but that is life. I wanna shag a different new gorgeous model every week, but guess what it ain't going to happen and is an unrealistic expectation for a overweight balding middle aged bloke! Not saying fuck of the Vale but seriously, go to Crewe or Vale and watch a match and then appreciate what we take for granted. Keep the faith hope it clicks and we win something. Enjoy top flight football. If you actually enjoy football??? Then again you could go watch Man U, they win stuff.. Could not agree more. I have been a season ticket holder since 1999 and as long as I can afford, I will always have one. Other than winning one of the 2 pots on offer, mid table safety is as goods as it can get for a club our size. These are the glory days - the quicker some fans see this the better.
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Feb 28, 2017 16:25:44 GMT
If you are not enjoying going to games and you can't see any prospect of things improving then don't renew your season ticket. What difference does it make if I, or anyone else, feels the same way as you or not? It doesn't make any difference either way in fairness. I was just interested to know how people felt and if it was just me that felt this way is all. It's like a typical banal question about what's your favourite colour or if you were a fruit what type of fruit would you be Just be thankful that when you buy fruit you don't buy a year's supply at once at a cost over over £300!
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Post by sharonbeech21 on Feb 28, 2017 16:41:56 GMT
I have seen them in every league we have been in . Having watched stoke against man utd city chelsea etc in the i70s i never thought i would be watching them again in the premier league now. Supported stoke 45 years and its in the blood yes definitely renewing my season ticket
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Post by simple on Feb 28, 2017 17:18:38 GMT
This post shows how poorly we would be supported if we got relagated and why we have been poorly supported in the past.We most have the biggest bunch of moaning fans in the country.This seasons performances have not been great,but been a supporter is what it said support your team.In the 70s we still had fans moaning they must be the relatives of some of this boards posters.Lets put things in perspective bar W.B.A we are the top of teams with similar fan bases . This club has come a long way in 10years ,we were near going into receivership,now we are mid table in the hardest league in the world.Maybe when these lechecs leave we may get our heart back,I here about lack of atmosphere,as Alan Durban said if you want entertainment by a ticket for a circus. I hope you with the negative attitude don't renew,but if we get to a cup final then don't come with the sob story I supported Stoke for 40 years never missed a match then I got bored. Well go shopping on aSaturday.
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Post by pulismaskreplica on Feb 28, 2017 17:41:58 GMT
This post shows how poorly we would be supported if we got relagated and why we have been poorly supported in the past.We most have the biggest bunch of moaning fans in the country.This seasons performances have not been great,but been a supporter is what it said support your team.In the 70s we still had fans moaning they must be the relatives of some of this boards posters.Lets put things in perspective bar W.B.A we are the top of teams with similar fan bases . This club has come a long way in 10years ,we were near going into receivership,now we are mid table in the hardest league in the world.Maybe when these lechecs leave we may get our heart back,I here about lack of atmosphere,as Alan Durban said if you want entertainment by a ticket for a circus. I hope you with the negative attitude don't renew,but if we get to a cup final then don't come with the sob story I supported Stoke for 40 years never missed a match then I got bored. Well go shopping on aSaturday. It's realism though isn't it. There are a hardcore support of maybe 12k that will go every game no matter what is served up on the pitch because they love the club no matter what. Then you have other fans (myself included) that won't watch Stoke at all costs (boring football frustrates me) and want to see decent football or some kind of blueprint that factors in shit performances leading to better things in the future etc
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Post by simple on Feb 28, 2017 17:53:08 GMT
This post shows how poorly we would be supported if we got relagated and why we have been poorly supported in the past.We most have the biggest bunch of moaning fans in the country.This seasons performances have not been great,but been a supporter is what it said support your team.In the 70s we still had fans moaning they must be the relatives of some of this boards posters.Lets put things in perspective bar W.B.A we are the top of teams with similar fan bases . This club has come a long way in 10years ,we were near going into receivership,now we are mid table in the hardest league in the world.Maybe when these lechecs leave we may get our heart back,I here about lack of atmosphere,as Alan Durban said if you want entertainment by a ticket for a circus. I hope you with the negative attitude don't renew,but if we get to a cup final then don't come with the sob story I supported Stoke for 40 years never missed a match then I got bored. Well go shopping on aSaturday. It's realism though isn't it. There are a hardcore support of maybe 12k that will go every game no matter what is served up on the pitch because they love the club no matter what. Then you have other fans (myself included) that won't watch Stoke at all costs (boring football frustrates me) and want to see decent football or some kind of blueprint that factors in shit performances leading to better things in the future etc I admire you for been honest,you are right it's in your blood or not.The attitude towards the club is the same as some Pepole have of life,this area is always running its self down and feeling sorry for its self.Pepole need to get of there arses and push there skills,retrain find different skills.Its like match days those who moan most sit on there arses and expect others to try and support the team.I would also guess the age group complaining most are the ones who play the game on a computer.
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Post by skip on Feb 28, 2017 17:59:24 GMT
If it was convenient to do so I'd get a season ticket* in a heartbeat.
*card my arse.
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Post by pulismaskreplica on Feb 28, 2017 18:01:33 GMT
It's realism though isn't it. There are a hardcore support of maybe 12k that will go every game no matter what is served up on the pitch because they love the club no matter what. Then you have other fans (myself included) that won't watch Stoke at all costs (boring football frustrates me) and want to see decent football or some kind of blueprint that factors in shit performances leading to better things in the future etc I admire you for been honest,you are right it's in your blood or not.The attitude towards the club is the same as some Pepole have of life,this area is always running its self down and feeling sorry for its self.Pepole need to get of there arses and push there skills,retrain find different skills.Its like match days those who moan most sit on there arses and expect others to try and support the team.I would also guess the age group complaining most are the ones who play the game on a computer. The key for me personally is excitement. If Stoke excite me then I'll go every game home and away. That stands whether we are in the top division or league 2. Equally if Stoke bore me then I don't fancy it. I go matches to watch Stoke and aren't bothered who the opposition is. Man Utd or Macclesfield, Chelsea or Chesterfield - it doesn't make a difference. I want to see the boys in red and white having a go and playing at full tilt
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