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Post by mayf on Dec 28, 2007 16:17:54 GMT
According to the sentinel so it must be true !
I know he's been a bit dodgy with crosses lately but is Hoult up to the job,he's no spring chicken after all and hasn't played a 1st team game for a long time.
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Post by stokiesteve1966 on Dec 28, 2007 16:20:44 GMT
Steve Simonsen will spend a nervous night wondering whether he has lost his place in Stoke's line-up after 108 successive league games between the sticks.
Simonsen appears to be in the firing line after being criticised in all but name by manager Tony Pulis for two of Barnsley's three goals in the 3-3 draw at Oakwell on Boxing Day.
Pulis is refusing to comment on his goalkeeping dilemma, but is understood to be seriously considering Russell Hoult for what would be his first league appearance since joining Stoke last January.
Hoult, who played for Pulis at Portsmouth before rejoining his former manager at Stoke, has thus far been restricted to just one League Cup appearance at Rochdale in August when Simonsen was rested.
Simonsen entered the current campaign - his fourth at the Britannia - on a massive high after signing a long-term extension to his present contract.
But Pulis has pointed an accusing finger in his direction for three of the four goals Stoke have conceded in their last two outings to leave Simonsen on tenterhooks ahead of tomorrow's clash at Plymouth.
The rest of Stoke's line-up picks itself assuming several players overcome minor knocks sustained at Barnsley three days ago.
The Stoke party set off for Devon yesterday afternoon to begin preparations for a match that could see them move into the top two of the Championship by close of play tomorrow.
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Dec 28, 2007 16:33:08 GMT
So it doesn't actually say "Simo to be dropped". It comments that Simo COULD be dropped.
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Post by stokiesteve1966 on Dec 28, 2007 16:34:58 GMT
Correct, there should be a ? at the end of your title
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sandford
Youth Player
Where's me fukin tea!!
Posts: 458
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Post by sandford on Dec 28, 2007 16:37:33 GMT
No chance,Pulis sticks with his players.
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Post by y_oh_y_delilah on Dec 28, 2007 16:38:14 GMT
I'd be amazed if he were to be left out tomorrow - it just isn't Pulis's style and the bottom line is that despite his dodgy form at the moment, he remains head and shoulders, the best keeper at the club.
We'll see tomorrow anyway.
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Post by nathan on Dec 28, 2007 16:41:42 GMT
Basically, it is raising predictable question marks over the goalkeeper having arguably being at fault for 3 of the last 4 goals. Given that Hoult is the only alternative......I doubt there is any substance to this, though there's no doubt in my mind that TP will have directed a few words Simmo's way along the lines of 'buck your ideas up'. Perhaps TP will look into buying a new goalkeeper in Jan who provides a little more 'stiff competition' for Simmo......and basically, allows us to actually drop him and feel comfortable in the knowledge any future keeper is competent, should we feel the need to drop him?
Having said that, I don't believe it has reached that stage yet. He is a quality keeper, and I personally am backing him to produce those performances that have seen him become viewed by some as 'England's number 1'.
Lets not be too hasty.
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Post by broadwayroundabout on Dec 28, 2007 16:44:47 GMT
No way should he be dropped, i know he's looked a little lacking in confidence on a few occasions but have we all got short memories? without doubt he's probably the main reason we are where we are in the table before the scorefest started...some "England" class saves made this season.  |
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Post by citysoldierjack on Dec 28, 2007 17:20:38 GMT
no wouldn't drop simo dont think hoult would be up to it
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Rockape
Youth Player
We're Stoke City... We Only Score 5!
Posts: 395
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Post by Rockape on Dec 28, 2007 17:28:02 GMT
Lazy journalism? Slow news day... trawl MB for scuttle... hey presto they find two posts (one wheeled) about the only negative to fall out of Saturday... easy. I might apply!  |
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Post by pez75 on Dec 28, 2007 18:10:51 GMT
nowt wrong with a bit of healthy competition & Hoult is a good experienced keeper, so dont just assume Simmo is far better.
He is a good shotstopper & yes, he has kept us in matches in the past, but he has dropped a few bollocks along the way too. he was at fault for the WBA goal too dont forget.
That is why he plays in the Championship & not the Prem at the end of the day, and no player should feel that he is undroppable.
Saying that, I am sure that it is just TP's way of keeping him on his toes.
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Post by Big Al on Dec 28, 2007 18:23:15 GMT
i think everyone is underestimating Hoult he is a more than capable replacement
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Dec 28, 2007 18:26:33 GMT
I think the problem is that Hoult was abysmal in his only first team game at Rochdale in the cup. Many, including me, have not forgotten just how bad he was that evening. I'm sure he is normally better than he was then, but you can't blame us for worrying about his ability these days.
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Post by FullerMagic on Dec 28, 2007 18:35:12 GMT
He seemed to be on the verge of the England squad about 4 years ago, but wasn't there some talk amongst the Baggies fans that he's never been the same after a bad groin injury?
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Post by fuggers on Dec 28, 2007 18:36:25 GMT
Throwing Hoult in against Plymouth could prove disastrous.
Equally, it could be a masterstoke by TP.
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Post by Big Al on Dec 28, 2007 18:36:40 GMT
i agree with you about his performance at rochdale but he was a good keeper at westbrom hes got to be a little ring rusty if simmo got injured or suspended hes not a bad replacement
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Post by trend....... on Dec 28, 2007 20:04:31 GMT
i think everyone is underestimating Hoult he is a more than capable replacement hes on his last legs! |
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Post by Olgrligm on Dec 28, 2007 20:25:36 GMT
I remember him getting me loads of points in a fantasy team for the Premiership a few years ago.
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Post by GlynDerby on Dec 28, 2007 20:27:06 GMT
Hoult is poor, he's only here for cover incase simmo gets a red or injured and even then he'll look for a replacement rather than trust hoult.
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Post by Davef on Dec 28, 2007 21:56:35 GMT
Throwing Hoult in against Plymouth could prove disastrous. Equally, it could be a masterstoke by TP. Honestly, is there anyone out there who takes this bloke seriously? Russell Hoult is an experienced goalkeeper with nearly 400 games to his credit. He should be able to slot into our team for a few games as cover for our out-of-sorts regular keeper relatively comfortably. How the flying fuck would it be a TP masterstroke if he plays a few games and we win them all? |
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Post by njkk on Dec 28, 2007 22:41:57 GMT
I think it could be a good thing to rest simmo for a game, competition for places is good for the team, anyone know how many different keepers we fielded during the Macari promotion season?
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Post by Butters on Dec 28, 2007 22:55:02 GMT
753 i think
ttt
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Post by njkk on Dec 28, 2007 22:59:43 GMT
I think you're getting mixed up with the Durban/Kamara/etc season, neville southall just looked like there were 753 goalies betwixt the stix  |
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Post by FullerMagic on Dec 29, 2007 14:06:35 GMT
Hoult
Wilko-Cort-Shawcross-Pugh
Lawro-Eusty-Delap-Cresswell
Fuller-Sidibe
Simo-Parkin-Pulis-Dicko-Zak
Odd decision.
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Post by tazi on Dec 29, 2007 15:02:57 GMT
Not only quite rightly dropped in my opinion but if a manager cannot find himself able to make these decisions then in my opinion he will not become a decent one.
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