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Post by swampySCFC on Nov 5, 2008 22:32:43 GMT
After Arsene Wengers ill judged comments about the game at the Brit it got me to thinking about the seedier side of football in what is supposedly the best league in the World.
Don’t get me wrong, it IS the place to be but you are sometimes left wondering whether or not the so called star players that play for the elite remember (or were even aware of) the values we used to share in the days of the “Working Man’s Ballet”
I believe that the criticism that our glorious club has received from a number of quarters already is nothing less than shameful, most definitely so when it comes from a senior Manager in the game just days after his team have been soundly and fairly beaten against all expectations.
The class of 2007/8 exceeded our expectations by going all the way using a blend of power, flair and solidity, marshalled superbly by Super Tone and within the rules at all times. But after the celebrations subsided, and we all went off to the beach, nobody was under any illusion that we needed to add to our squad and cut and paste in certain departments.
True to form Peter honoured his ongoing commitments to us all by splashing the cash and Tone started to add that little bit of extra quality we would need.
There were rumblings about our chances, even amongst our own people, but any misgivings were paltry compared to the offerings served up by some of our National media, and one prominent bookie offering to settle bets on our relegation even before a ball was kicked in anger.
Hull too were considered to be cannon fodder and of the 3 promoted teams it was the Baggies who were considered to have the best chance of exceeding the efforts of Derby County. After all they “play football” as we all know.
It was clear to me that our new team was going to need some time to bed in and have a good look at the Prem and I felt this very much at the Reebok back in August when we seemed almost stage struck. Nothing wrong with that we probably were.
Championed by an early win against Villa (the only team to beat them till early November) and that great point at Liverpool we have settled down a little and recent back to back wins have seen us usurp Derby's season long performance already and move up to mid table. You can almost see the smirk slowly disappearing off Mr Powers smug face.
Our solid victory against Arsenal, themselves established as one of the top 4 for many seasons, was without doubt a fine performance and should have resulted in wall to wall credit from those outside our great City. Whilst most pundits welcomed our result warmly, (even an irritated Wenger's first reaction was to agree the best team won) , days later we have been on the receiving end of his churlish comments that in turn started a refreshed debate about our Premiership status and the way we play.
Talk Sport under the guise of buffoons Wright and Durham immediately took Wengers side (no surprises there then ) and invited people to ring in to condemn the “bully boys” that are Stoke.
Anyone in support of us, mind, was bullied, shouted down and simply cut off whilst those agin were given a platform to aire there views and massage the egos of two overated spivs.
What a liberty these people take in the name of so called entertainment.
Durham encouraged his audience (many of whom seem unable to think for themselves) to discuss issues like:
· No place for Stoke in the Prem
· Stoke use bully boy tactics
· Stoke are one dimensional
· Stoke deliberately seek to injure oponents
· Stoke only score from throws
· Stoke don’t entertain
I agree with none of those statements. Football at the Brit has been as exciting to watch and as full of entertainment than anywhere and we have shown our commitment in numbers by allowing Stoke to sell out the stadium for each game. That’s a great compliment to us, largely down to earth working class people, with the right perspective on life and in a lot of cases little spare cash.
How it must disappoint our detractors that we are enjoying our football so much that we are officially recognised as the loudest support in the league. To the contrary and only managing a lacklustre 9th in that table, how Arsenal must wish Sky would publish a moaners league.
You cant help smile when you look at how our illustrious selfish cousins have reached their stability in this fancy league that does everything for tele and nout for supporters.
Arsenals so called star team has been assembled with the assistance of net borrowings of c£310 million, paltry compared to Chelsea at c£578 mill, United £660 mill. And at Liverpool, I think they just don’t know.
At a more modest level Middlesbrough owe £85m, West Ham £142mill, Newcastle £69m Man City £100m.
Compare this with Stoke. I don’t think we borrow do we but we endeavour to compete honestly and proudly.
I’d take ten of Rory Delap against one of Adebayor and what a testimony it is to the values of our boss that he honoured his commitment to sign Rory after his injury when he could have walked the other way.
Much of the comment aimed at us by other supporters is critical, particularly from the Arsenal contingent in recent days. I wonder how many of them ever watch a game unless its on television. After all, the big 4 are in their own league for local support. Just 53% of Gooners are local to North London. Our support is in good shape though-only second behind Hull with 85% local lads and lasses.- No wonder the Brit is rocking.
When you look at the facts I believe that we have got football right and they have got it wrong. We have the best fans, the best Chairman and a Manager who consistently moves the club forward whilst retaining a common sense of decency that the likes of Wenger can only dream of.
I too am very proud of everybody’s efforts so far. I don’t ever want to be associated with a club that acts like Arsenal, a club that cant take defeat without lashing out and have little apparent respect for anyone else in the game. What an irony that the comments immediately precede the annual brawl that Wenger enjoys with Fergy's lads. (Anyone remember Keown?)
Meanwhile we shall continue to get behind the lads and enjoy our first season back. Its not all about winning-you have to lose sometimes and accept it when you do- but it’s a pity we have rejoined the top flight at a time when football is in danger of imploding in on itself because of greed and a selfish “win at all costs” attitude.
Mind you if it all stopped tomorrow I would bet that hypocrites like Wenger would be lost in the ether. It would surely be little Stoke that people look back at as the club that played the game in the right way and conducted itself with humility.
Loyalty and pride come with the territory
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Post by Cityfullergoals on Nov 5, 2008 22:42:26 GMT
What a fantastic post swampy
Ted no. 2 or what?
I agree with virtually everything you say there mate
LOYAL AND PROUD certainly come to mind
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Post by Beloved Monkfish on Nov 6, 2008 1:14:05 GMT
That's an excellent post, far better than anything Ted had ever written. I get the feeling Ted only writes his 'essays' to impress people and get loads of replys saying 'wow, what a post' and 'spot on ted, what a guy!'
Well done swampy top thread!
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Post by CalgaryPotter on Nov 6, 2008 6:29:55 GMT
The dignified responses put forward by Messrs Coates and Pulis this week to address the ramblings of the mad man have proven that we are also Premiership in nature. Said in a proud but humble fashion but with an element of 'you don't want to mess with us' attitude. One of the things I am noticing being away from it all is how much Stoke are in this together...... fans, manager and those upstairs. It's something I never expected, especially with TP in charge and I don't think I've seen it before even under Macari. We look professional as a club, the finances seem to be in order and our fans are behaving themselves so far. Long may it continue.......my only concern is that people may start to respect us and that will mean the loss of the 'siege mentality'  |
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Post by lancer on Nov 6, 2008 11:50:43 GMT
'We've got it right, they've got it wrong.'
Spot on, swampy!
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Post by bossthemidfield on Nov 6, 2008 11:58:59 GMT
Well said that man... I have a tear in my eye.  |
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Post by cousindupree on Nov 6, 2008 12:06:29 GMT
Well put Swampy...much better than Teds Yawn inspiring ramblings!
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Post by JetBlack on Nov 6, 2008 12:31:10 GMT
A great post, was nodding in agreement with ya, all the wat through it!.
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Post by Bick on Nov 6, 2008 12:34:01 GMT
Really nice post. I enjoy it when someone sums up the whole fanbase feelings so succinctly.
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Post by lew86 on Nov 6, 2008 12:38:36 GMT
Brilliant read.
I’d take ten of Rory Delap against one of Adebayor and what a testimony it is to the values of our boss that he stood by Rory when he could have walked the other way.
And the seige, brilliant! Lets keep it going!
Players like Adebayor are there for the money. They dont give two about what the club stands for, its history, its fans. Its all about the big cheque. It makes me proud that we have players, managers and people behind the scenes that do.
Calgary- Theres a great feeling of unification thats most teams yearn for.
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Post by broadwayroundabout on Nov 6, 2008 12:46:22 GMT
great post swampy, who helped you write that ?? |
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Post by Birchesheadpotter on Nov 6, 2008 13:00:51 GMT
Top, top post.
Agree 100% with everything said there Swampy.
It seems the big boys are starting to fear the fact that we dont fear them.
"Cur ante tubam tremor occupat artus?"
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Post by Not_Nick_H on Nov 6, 2008 13:05:43 GMT
Good post swampy. A great "state of the club" summation I'd say.
Re: Durham - I would "love it" </keegan mode>, if someone like TP or PC were to phone up as Jamie Carragher did and put them on the back foot. Let's see how keen they would be to take the p*ss then.
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Post by swampySCFC on Nov 6, 2008 13:15:42 GMT
great post swampy, who helped you write that ?? Dodgy Bri??????  ;D |
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Post by sheikh al dubai bin stokie on Nov 6, 2008 13:38:30 GMT
That's an excellent post, far better than anything Ted had ever written. I get the feeling Ted only writes his 'essays' to impress people and get loads of replys saying 'wow, what a post' and 'spot on ted, what a guy!' Well done swampy top thread! couldnt agree more about Ted and his posts... he is of the "if its worth saying, repeat yourself a million times" type of posters... and i also think people hardly read them.. this from swampy however, is his magnum opus |
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Post by swampySCFC on Nov 6, 2008 18:18:17 GMT
I had to look that one up Dubai Whats the weather like? |
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Post by Irish Stokie on Nov 6, 2008 18:38:06 GMT
Now thats one hell of a read!!! Fair play though you seem to have it fairly spot on!!!
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