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Post by sovietonion on Dec 19, 2007 13:04:15 GMT
We're winning. We're playing much better football. Our hero Fuller has signed up till 2011. There's a big air of positivity around the club, much more than there has been for a while and this time it's tangible and feels much more real than last season even though:
Our early season form although not bad did feel fragile and the home beatings we had did appear to have been on the cards for a while. We knew we fluked a lot but you can only beat what's in front of you. Southampton took us to the cleaners and should have beaten us more heavily. Cardiff were repelled by Steve Simonsen and we stole it and hopefully pulled the first rug out from under their lamb busting arses.
We are still a scrag of a team, virtually unrecognisable from the one that really kicked some ass last season.
We are playing youngsters, players out of position, players with injuries, players unwanted elsewhere for being reserves, not hard enough, injury failures etc etc.
Mama is going to have to be induced to score.
So when was the corner turned for you?
For me it was the last minute winner v Norwich. We blew QPR away for 20 minutes with some great movement and determination and then sat off and we all heard the booing. But with Norwich even though we started crap, we pressed and pressed equalised and battered them and for all of Roeder's post lobotomised bollocks, we pissed on them and deserved a win.
The players are really clicking. Cort is looking superb as an attacking CH from set pieces. Lawro is on fire with his Hendrie deliveries and Russell work rate making the contribution of two players. The guy has got a great will to win, fair play to him.
Shawcross needs no recap- he's just been superb. May be the lack of fear from youth but he has massive self belief but seemingly without the arrogance that usually accompanies such talent. Pugh is looking better and better and is perhaps the most versatile player at the club right now although Zak has shown he can do a job at FB as well as CH. Cresswell has worked his bollocks off all season and seems to be thriving. Even Parkin has lost weight but still looks like he belongs in a cattle smock herding Friesians.
There's something there which is making the players work for one another like demons and it's good- very good. I've been far from a TP fan but the man has certainly squeezed every ounce out of those lads and they are playing like the mean it. Blackpool was the case in point. Even at 1 down, I was confident that from the way we were playing we'd win and it's a long time since I felt that about a Stoke team full stop, never mind a Pulis team!
So for me, last minute v Norwich was when it turned. They day you could take your tinted specs off and it was still Rosy.
Sov
PS I reserve the right to think tha Delap is still bollocks though. ;D
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Post by fuggers on Dec 19, 2007 13:05:49 GMT
When Boskamp fucked off!  |
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Post by Vestan Pance on Dec 19, 2007 13:09:15 GMT
I think you could be right.
I think it coincided with a realisation from the manager that this division wasn't up to much, and that if we had a go, a real go then we would have every chance.
I went to Blackpool and (naughtily) sat in the home end, and they were blown away by our performance and said to me (after i considered it safe to reveal myself) we were the best side they had seen this season. We always seemed to have an extra gear if required.
We need Diao in alongside two QUALITY midfielders & Lawrence. Move Cressie up front with Ricci and use Sidibe as an impact player for the last 20 minutes I think Coates is gearing himself up for a spend and i'm really starting to consider the impossible, that Stoke City may end up in Premier League next season.
Delap is hopeless however. This is a fact.
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Post by fuggers on Dec 19, 2007 13:10:33 GMT
Rory Super Delap is ace.
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Post by Vestan Pance on Dec 19, 2007 13:13:49 GMT
Here's a picture of Delap in action  |
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Post by fuggers on Dec 19, 2007 13:15:13 GMT
How dare you! How very dare you!
He's the new SuperDave.
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Post by stevetheboater on Dec 19, 2007 13:18:28 GMT
I actually think the corner was turned about half an hour earlier in the Norwich game. We noticeably changed our tactics and have stuck with it ever since.
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Post by Pedropotter on Dec 19, 2007 13:22:25 GMT
When we swapped messageboards!
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Post by thepremierbanksy on Dec 19, 2007 13:29:00 GMT
When HG had those 10000 red cards printed up. Oh no, that was last season.
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Post by mermaidsal on Dec 19, 2007 13:29:38 GMT
The Norwich game was definitely where it turned.
But why does Rory look so much happier with a post up his arse?
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Post by Vestan Pance on Dec 19, 2007 13:31:50 GMT
Aren't we all?
;D
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Post by mermaidsal on Dec 19, 2007 13:33:50 GMT
You might be right there.... ;D
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Joey Starr
Academy Starlet
Vis Unita Fortior
Posts: 222
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Post by Joey Starr on Dec 19, 2007 13:43:40 GMT
I'd go back to the West Brom game. We just weren't going to be beaten that night. I know we were disastrous against Wednesday after - that was the lowest point for me - but the spirit of our current form and attitude first showed itself at The Hawthorns. Shawcross' belief was a big factor but so too was the heroic attitude of Zakuani, who we should not forget. Many are saying that WBA are the top team. If our form and fortune are as good as usual on Saturday, then it could be another very significant moment for our confidence and status when the Jan window opens. It feels like our time.  Up the Potters! |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2007 13:57:59 GMT
I believe it was when everyone (well ... almost everyone) got these new fangled avatar thingies. You know what they say, a picture is as good as a thousand words (or a sacking).
It's like decorating at home. It's still the same old dump as it was before you got the brushes out, but now the missus thinks it really does look like the place she saw on the telly six-months ago (shame she's now seen something else, mind!) and somehow - despite the fact that the damp is still rising, the wood-worm still chewing and house is still leaning to one side - it just feels "better".
;0)
ah
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Post by Vestan Pance on Dec 19, 2007 14:00:03 GMT
As well as that Andy, it seems the chief protagonists on either side of the divide (HudsonGod & Ian) have not found their way over here, which means less ridiculously loaded arguments and less ill-feeling.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2007 14:09:27 GMT
There certainly is less ill feeling on this new optimistic message board  I've never been wheeled on here and I give out karma left right and centre ;D |
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Post by mikeyb99 on Dec 19, 2007 14:26:08 GMT
'Turned a corner'?
We've not achieved anything yet! Judge when and whether a corner has been turned come the end of the season.
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Post by Top Stopper on Dec 19, 2007 15:11:38 GMT
'Turned a corner'? We've not achieved anything yet! Judge when and whether a corner has been turned come the end of the season. Boo Hiss!!! I'd smite you if I had any left! |
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