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Post by OldStokie on Dec 5, 2007 23:34:07 GMT
I reckon [despite Pulis  ] we are bloody lucky to be hogging the position we're in now given the under strength squad we have. We should take full advantage of it and not blow it like we did last season. Let's hope we can continue this good run and keep well in contention until the transfer window opens. Then, bring in Salif and A.N.Other, an attacking midfielder, and an automatic spot is there to be had. What I've seen of the opposition, we should fear no one. If we can just overcome Watford on sunday, I might start to believe we might become the team to fear. Perversely, our strength is that we have the ability to either play the long ball or a passing game and the latter will improve if we can bring in a couple of players of the calibre of Salif. It's there to be had guys. I just hope Pulis doesn't go into his shell if we suffer a reverse, which is his MO. He needs now to be brave and persevere with his current attitude. OS. |
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Post by panini2001 on Dec 5, 2007 23:51:57 GMT
Its a tricky one. A couple of weeks ago I would have said no chance but the team seem to have found some unity which has helped us thru a few tough games. We all know the squad isnt strong enough but a couple of good signings in Jan who knows.
I'm excited for the first time this season.
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Post by spiderpuss on Dec 5, 2007 23:54:03 GMT
Last year we had a post Chrimble slump and it killed us. We must avoid that this year by getting in a few choice players and sadly concentrating on the league. The FA cup may be a nice outing but it could be one hell of distraction too.
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Post by Dallas Cowboy on Dec 6, 2007 0:01:32 GMT
Steady on OS, have you been at the egg nog already? Seriously, if we give Watford a 3-0 drubbing on Sunday, I think you may be right that we will become the team to fear. However, we are talking about Stoke City. From my distant viewpoint, I think we need another player of Fuller's calibre. It seems when he is playing we do well. When he is not playing, we seem very ordinary. If he were to be injured for any length of time, we could be well and truly scuppered. But by and large, I am in full agreement with what you say. It is also vital that we secure the services of Shawcross until the end of the season. It might even be worth shelling out a couple of million to secure his talents for the long-term future. Dallas. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2007 0:13:40 GMT
It going to be tough match on Sunday, even if we had Shawcross, Wilkinson and Eustace available but its going to be even tougher now. As Radio Stoke said earlier we have put Pulis and Buxton on stand by ???. We may yet regret not getting the midfield sorted before Jan. Still hope I am so very wrong and we get to Jan sniffing around the auto spot. Then maybe we can start to really believe.
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Post by panini2001 on Dec 6, 2007 0:18:59 GMT
I do I do I do believe in fairies.............
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Dec 6, 2007 7:30:16 GMT
OS - we don't need to wait until the January window to sign Salif. He has been out of contract since he left us so we could sign him today if he would put pen to paper. The sooner we sign him (if we are going to sign him) the better, as it is going to take weeks to get him match fit.
Dallas, the past few matches have disproved the theory that we depend on Fuller as much as we thought we did. We are not a one man team at all. He isn't playing badly but he isn't playing particularly well and he hasn't scored for 9 games. He hasn't even been particularly involved in any of our goals during those 9 games. That isn't to say that I don't rate him as highly as I always have done - just that in recent weeks players like Lawrence, Cresswell and both centre backs have been the force behind our scoring record.
OS is right, of course, we can't allow January to pass by without bringing in two or three QUALITY players. Do this and auto promotion is possible, fail to do it and we'll drift downwards.
Sunday's game is probably the toughest of the season so far. Shawcross, Eustace and Wilko are going to be very difficult to replace given the small squad and other injuries. If we get anything out of Sunday's game it will be a good sign for the future.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2007 7:47:22 GMT
we aren't far away from having an auto-promotion contending team, midfield is woeful and needs sorting asap
The Diao saga is pissing me off
We can all remember the shitty close-season and failure to sign certain calibre players, and last seasons Jan window and I fear nothing will change
A big thank you to Tony Pulis for getting us into this position, can't believe some of the results we've got this season
(I'm DBPotter BTW)
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Post by mcf on Dec 6, 2007 8:11:38 GMT
Well done to OS on some top quality Pulis-hating based drivel. When he does well, we and he is lucky. When we struggle, he's pap, doesn't have a clue, long ball wanker, inpet, shags pigs etc etc Superb, some real insight into the world of a top class hater.  |
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Post by ted1965 on Dec 6, 2007 8:19:27 GMT
I said the same a few times recently, honestly I believe this is an opportunity that can’t be wasted. The transfer window is now even more vital than the summer, if they can get it right this time then all that can be put to one side for now. Though anther fiasco full of excuses and we almost signed but they just didn’t drop for us will result in frustration and very little sympathy from all concerned.
The players have done amazingly well but I think we all know that we have such a thin squad that without certain key players we are a pretty ordinary side. The football has improved in the last few games, at least now we’re showing intent to attack and create chances, that has to be continued and there must be no falling back into the pragmatic directionless football that the manager reverts to when he loses confidence after a defeat, we all know defeats will happen it’s the manner of a defeat that counts. If you feel they have given all in trying to win a game it’s a little easier to accept than coming away feeling like it was inevitable if the opposition scored that we wouldn’t get back into the game because of the tactics.
Coates will now be put to the test as well, he has talked about the money available since it couldn’t be spent anymore, now we shall see whether it’s available in anything like the amounts he has been suggesting. The time for him to show his supposed love for the club is now here, this is an opportunity that may not come along again in a hurry, we have had a lot of good fortune considering how thin the squad is. Now if we can add some real quality to that middle of the park we can actually avoid the play offs and go straight up. I never thought I would be saying that under Pulis.
The manager needs to take advantage of this position and continue to be more positive, if he fails to make the play offs this time it has to time for change in the summer.
I really believe we can make that step up, this is our time if they don't make a mess of it in January.
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Post by Do it for dobing on Dec 6, 2007 9:26:31 GMT
Surely Peter Coates and Pulis have to take this opportunity.There was an opportunity in the 90s when Coates would not back Lou and we sold Peschi and then we ran out of steam god knows what that cost the club.Last season we fizzled out!due to lack of signings, lets hope Coates decides this is the time for Stoke to return to the top league ,where it was before he became involved!!
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Post by realstokebloke on Dec 6, 2007 9:50:43 GMT
Ted: "I said the same a few times recently, honestly I believe this is an opportunity that can’t be wasted. " Agree - but equally i thought that last year - we only really needed to bag ano decent goal scorer in the Jan window & we would have been flying. (Giving the loan players 8 weeks Christmas holidays B4 getting them back didn't help either of course !). So, let's hope that PC & TP do learn from last year. And everyone is right; with the team we have, we are doing extremely well indeed to be where we are. Sunday is the acid test though. So is this a "still slightly worried" smiley ? >  Combined with a "cautiously optimistic one" of course > |
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Post by winger on Dec 6, 2007 9:58:13 GMT
Thing about some of these haters MCF, we could win the Champion's League and Pulis would still be up for Twat of the Year Award. It boggles the mind.
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Post by Milkie on Dec 6, 2007 10:08:06 GMT
Love him or hate him what happens through January will shape the outcome of the season. Rest on our laurels and we will peter out to nothing with a falling support and some seriously bitter fans around, his position could become untenable.
Strengthen in those areas that we all acknowledge ( management and chairmen included) that we need a Little bit of quality and the band waggon could roll, fans return and a hint of unity may rest around the Brit.
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Post by mumf14 on Dec 6, 2007 11:56:47 GMT
I honestly believe that we can do this season if Coatesy gets his cheque book and pen out....!
Lets hope so ...!
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Post by OldStokie on Dec 6, 2007 13:01:02 GMT
Merk...top quality drivel though. You must admit that it draws the best out of you. My avatar says it all.  winger, you two faced bastard!!! You!!!  OS. |
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Post by eriksson74 on Dec 6, 2007 13:27:00 GMT
It makes you wonder where we would have been if Pulis had got his finger out in the summer, and had a full pre season bedding in the new players.
We can not afford another wasted opportunity in the Jan window, although I suspect that this transfer window will be the same as all the others, full of false hope and promises
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Post by TheWiseMaster on Dec 6, 2007 13:36:19 GMT
Mick For a change you are right! Pulis has managed, in his inimitable style, to get this ragbag squad playing above themselves. One day all will recognise that that is his strength. Pulis is a winner! We have a scratch defence, no centre midfield and strikers who can't score - so it's some sort of minor miracle  As you say - if we can stay in/near to the top six by Christmas then with the addition of two or three players then I can really see us going up this season Shock horror1 ;D |
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Post by Bagwash on Dec 7, 2007 1:00:48 GMT
I am not TP's greatest fan by a long chalk (cack football) but the position we are in and if he is honest about new signings in the transfer window then I believe that we have as good a chance as anyone.Ggggooaarrnnn Stoke
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Post by mcf on Dec 7, 2007 7:20:48 GMT
Ragbag squad? It's a good squad with many good players...just need more of them. I wouldn't change it for the world OS.  |
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Post by OldStokie on Dec 7, 2007 7:41:34 GMT
Morning, Merk, us early birds catch the worm, eh!
The Watford game is a massive one. Win that and it can change the whole feel of the club, both here and away from it. Players who didn't want to come here may want to join a side that is vying for a spot in The Prem. Who can blame them when we had the reputation for playing 'Wimbledon Style' but the last two games shows that is not all we have to our armoury. We're now learning to play a mixture of both long ball and neat passing games too.
It's all down to Pulis now because there can be no doubt that he has a substantial transfer budget available. Those two or three players I spoke about will be key to our season. Let's see if he can attract them eh.
BTW, I hope he really isn't looking at Hendrie! That would be a retrograde step IMHO.
OS.
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Post by mcf on Dec 7, 2007 7:55:00 GMT
Morning OS So pretty much what I've being saying all along then....? I'd have Hendrie back like a flash - I'd play him in the middle of the park mind. |
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Post by presthaven on Dec 7, 2007 8:00:45 GMT
Wimbledon of old had a certain respect. Stoke deserve the same.Who cares what people may say, there is more than a good chance of us being promoted.
Remember the Waddington wall ;D
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Post by Pugsley on Dec 7, 2007 8:27:21 GMT
Well done to OS on some top quality Pulis-hating based drivel. When he does well, we and he is lucky. When we struggle, he's pap, doesn't have a clue, long ball wanker, inpet, shags pigs etc etc Superb, some real insight into the world of a top class hater. It's the same kind of drivel you and the Pulis rimmers came out with about Boskamp. Superb, real insight into the world of a top class rimmer. |
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Post by mcf on Dec 7, 2007 8:46:35 GMT
Personally Pugs, I was more bothered about the decision to get rid of Pulis and the appointment of a new manager rather than the manager himself.
He was given more money, delivered fewer home wins, fewer points and a lower league table finish. Quite predictable given that he would need time to adjust and build a team. I would have been happy to keep him if the Icelandics had been prepared to back him.
How very silly of me.
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Post by Titan Uranus on Dec 7, 2007 8:53:27 GMT
We can do it ....
provided we sign at least two quality players in January.
The question is though, will Coates do it ?
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Post by Mr Claypole on Dec 7, 2007 9:22:05 GMT
OS, this "under strength squad" has us in 5th, you miserable old bugger!! Chin up owd. We're gonna do it!! |
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Post by Godo on Dec 7, 2007 12:23:15 GMT
Last season my heart said we'd do it but there are always nagging doubts with Mr Pulis in charge relating to his transfer policy and tactics.
We are very well placed and we have money in the bank to strengthen - so why not?
The issues would seem to be:
Can we attract the type of central midfielders who can do something to change a game or open up well organised opposition?
Does Pulis actually want to make us play through central midfield?Would he want to lose Delap's long throws which have been effective in recent games (despite his somewhat limited contribution otherwise)
Has Pulis got the balls to go for it when the chips are down? History clearly suggests not.
Will Fuller and Shawcross stay in January?
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Post by OldStokie on Dec 7, 2007 12:23:33 GMT
Mr_Claypole, our experience of Pulis during the whole of his tenure here leaves me in much doubt as to whether he can deliver the goods. He aint done it yet....in fact his whole tenure adds up to mediocrity and bottling it at crucial times. Let's see if he's changed eh. If he has and can grab the bull by the horns, this league can be ours. If not, we'll end the season fuming that he has [again] ballsed it up. Given our position now and the funds available to him, if he doesn't deliver the goods this season we might as well give up on him and show him my avatar. OS. |
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Post by mcf on Dec 18, 2007 7:57:55 GMT
Is this the act of my cowardice Wolstanton?
Supposedly deleted but amazingly still there?
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] we are bloody lucky to be hogging the position we're in now given the under strength squad we have. We should take full advantage of it and not blow it like we did last season. Let's hope we can continue this good run and keep well in contention until the transfer window opens. Then, bring in Salif and A.N.Other, an attacking midfielder, and an automatic spot is there to be had. What I've seen of the opposition, we should fear no one. If we can just overcome Watford on sunday, I might start to believe we might become the team to fear. 
