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Post by markscfc72 on Dec 20, 2007 11:31:22 GMT
Stoke City's acting captain John Eustace says signing up Ricardo Fuller should leave players and fans in no doubt about the club's Premiership ambitions.
Fuller, pictured right, has signed a two-year extension to his present contract to keep him at the club until 2011.
Eustace rates Fuller as the best striker in the Coca-Cola Championship, and says the deal is another statement of the club's determination to get back to the top flight for the first time since 1985.
He said: "This is a massive boost for us. He is probably the best striker in the league, so keeping him is absolutely fantastic.
"Hopefully he can fire us up into the Premiership. He is our dangerman, and on his day he will destroy any defence. He has proved that over the years.
"This shows the club's ambition, just like the signing of Salif Diao did last week. I am also sure the manager will be signing more Premiership-quality players in January."
The Fuller deal is a shot in the arm for City as they prepare for Saturday's top-of-the-table clash with leaders West Brom at the Britannia Stadium.
City have moved up to fourth in the table after taking 14 points from a possible 18. That has moved them within four points of the Baggies.
Eustace said: "We go into the game with a lot of confidence. We are playing our best football of the season and have the opportunity to go second in the league.
"But we are not getting carried away. We are in a decent position, but we have to match our effort and work-rate for the rest of the season."
West Brom are expected to be backed by 2,500 fans, all hoping to see them improve their record of one win in 22 league games against City.
Eustace added: "That record won't make any difference to this game. West Brom are the best footballing side in the division and this will be a very difficult game.
"Our fans will be very important and could be the difference between us getting one point and three."
Stoke chairman Peter Coates hopes the Fuller deal will be followed by more signings in January.
He said: "Ricardo Fuller is one of our best players and one of the best players in the division. We are determined to keep our best players.
"We are serious about promotion. We have signed Salif Diao and are looking to strengthen. There are a number of players we are targeting so we will see how January works out."
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Post by bogus on Dec 20, 2007 11:36:20 GMT
<<West Brom are expected to be backed by 2,500 fans, all hoping to see them improve their record of one win in 22 league games against City.>>>
That really is an amazing record for two, well matched clubs, isn't it?
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Post by markscfc72 on Dec 20, 2007 11:46:48 GMT
"We are serious about promotion"
good quote from coates eh, january could be very good!
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Post by CillaBlacksPissFlaps on Dec 20, 2007 11:53:36 GMT
Avery promising quote indeed and it looks like we mean business AT LAST!!!
Triffic!!!
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