****Official Plymouth V Stoke Matchday thread**

[JoeinOz]

Well each time we look at the subs the lack of depth is clear. We need to get players in. Its a simple principle but we need players that improve the squad.

[OldStokie]

Parksy, I feel like you do. Our record in the close season and in the transfer windows leaves room for doubt. I'm hoping both Coates and Pulis have learned their lessons. If not, they'll certainly know about it. I agree with Boz as to what we need.

OS.

[JoeinOz]

Well IMHO Coates has made money available. The onus is on Rudge or Tone or whoever it is to attract the players we need.

[Parksy]

Well we'll soon see what happens, I hope he doesn't go after just the one player again and spends all Jan trying to get him. After all this time I'm sure he should know who he wants/needs

[JoeinOz]

The targets have to be realistic ones. Time is precious.

[bozthestokie]

Great point Parksy.

We have known our weaknesses since the last window and its plain for all to see, if they have anything about them, they will have 5 or 6 players lined up, 2 or 3 key players who are first choice and back up if that proves unsuccesful.

Tony and Rudge cannot fumble around the transfer market again this time, costing us points with everygame. We should have three in during the first week of january, that simple.

[OldStokie]

Spot on, Boz. There can be no excuses now. If 'they' don't take advantage of this position that the current group of players have built for them, they should hang their heads in shame.

OS.

[RedandWhite4ever]

Totally agree with the above posts.. We will soon see what the management team are made of..It has got to be quality signings and nothing less..

Come PC & TP lets get this SCFC show on the road to the premiership...

[Deleted]

Pulis sounded as positive as ever on the issue with nige.

It makes the performance against 'Castle on the telly even more important. And then we have to hope a "futures contract" will tempt one or two of the stars pulis has in his eyes.

ah

[OldStokie]

will tempt one or two of the stars pulis has in his eyes.

Very good Andy.

OS.

[Deleted]

Thanks OS. I'm warming up ...

... I know more Geordie fans than just about any other foriegn-team ... Might tempt fate with a bit of banter on the beeb-forums (... and yes, I know ... but it might be too hard to resist)

ah


Also - for them watching arsenal's kiddies; what's rod stewart's younger brother doing on dutch telly!!!?

[Deleted]

All great posts about the transfer window and seem to be on the same wavelength. Simply no excuses should be made about players coming in. There has been plenty of time to assess and approach players during the period leading up to Jan 1st.

Pulis has said all along get to Jan still in touch and we can strengthen. Well Strengthen now not at the end of Jan it's simple as that. Problem is we seem to have more problems than we realised with the squad.

Keeper area looks fragile centre of defense looks frail still (maybe Pulis can sort that out without players in) and the midfield is priority as we know.

The one place that I think we can get away with is the forward line though Mama is woefully short of what we need he only really offer one thing to the team and if that is not forthcoming in his game then we are almost 10 men from the start.

I would still like to see a striker to come in but with a new left player in place (Routledge) we can afford to move Cressy in the attacking line up (It's possible we could get Agyamang from Preston too)

[Peters Pipe]

Well Pulis has already said in interview that he is more interested in getting players that are available; to strengthen and deepen the squad, but is aware of key areas.
I guess that means he's attempting to not chase individual targets too much and lose out, but is happy to bring in 'quality' players.
Seems he's not too far off being happy with his first team, and just wants to strengthen. Let's just hope he doesn't bring in a cartload of centre-halfs...!!!!

[eddyclamp]

We do need another striker,can`t Fuller going the season without suspension or injury

[Peters Pipe]

Hows about Phillips-Diao-Eustace-Lawrence-Fuller-Cresswell?

Be nice to see that soon.....another striker though would be good.

[beagriestache]

I'm more worried about players leaving to be honest. With QPR officially now the richest club in the world and Coventry with funds to invest and several Prem chairmen getting twitchy sphincters, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see us revert to type and sell the likes of Fuller, Lawrence etc. Derby are after Shawcross from Man U too.

I won't be relaxing until 00:01 on 1 Feb 2008!

[BraveSirRobin]

Can Shawcross be sold to anyone While he is on loan here?

[beagriestache]

A loanee can be called back at any time so if the price was right for Man U I guess so?

[boothenendboy]

he wants to stay with us anyway.

[eeebygum]

We may have expectations from the Club on transfers, but it is time that we are also realistic, as much as anything because we also can have an impact on whether players come or not. There are some players out there, but they have a choice and there are other clubs with greater resources. Though there have been ups and downs, under the new Chairman and the manager Stoke have been making definite progress over the last couple of years and we still can't afford to blow large sums without the right return! That has to be where we come in in part because bigger attendances mean greater resources, and where some individuals have sort to undermine attendances, nows the time to show that the club is going places in lots of areas including a growing loyal support right behind their club. Perhaps that can help in attracting some of the players we want???

[mumf14]

I suppose a draw against Plymouth given the sending off of Hoult is a point gained not 2 points lost.
Now is the time to invest in two or three fresh faces ...the more the better.
If Fuller gets injured for example then we will ineviably struggle.I'm glad that Simmo will be back too,