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Post by ted1965 on Jan 9, 2008 13:00:13 GMT
It seems at last there’s a light at the end of the tunnel that is being a Stoke supporter, now history and experience have taught most fans that usually means there’s a large express train heading our way which will plough through our dreams and ambitions and leave us wondering how we messed it up this time.
Though for once I don’t have that overwhelming feeling of when will the train wreck happen, there’s just something in the air that makes it feel different. The club is actually progressing and that is all most supporters really ask for. That you feel there’s something positive happening and that there’s a brighter tomorrow ahead. There’s a huge wave of optimism and feel good factor about the place and I for one am going to enjoy every minute of it, football being what it is, you never know what next week or next month will bring.
I am more than willing to admit I have been wrong up to now about whether the manager could sustain a promotion push, he’s surprised me and I salute him for it. I am more than happy to commend both he and Peter Coates for learning lessons and acting on them. Though of course we haven’t actually achieved anything yet, no prizes are given out in January but it’s the change in atmosphere that makes me believe things are changing for the better at Stoke. I am not a card carrying member of either’s fan club but I am happy to congratulate both and sincerely hope this is the new approach and that they will keep moving forward even with a few setbacks which are bound to come. If they do I for one wont be getting on their backs as I may have before, it’s all about how you present yourself, if you come across as doing your best no supporters will complain it’s when you start making excuses for mistakes that people get nervous and criticise.
When we were relegated all those years ago I never for one minute thought I would be sat here in 2008 having not seen Stoke play a top flight game, thought it might take us 4 or 5 seasons to rebuild from that meltdown season but never imagined it would take over 20. It really frustrates me when I read comments like Stoke have never played in the Premiership, it’s almost like football history has been rewritten and only began when the rich decided to get richer and form the land of milk and honey that is the Premiership. It seems if you have not played in it, then you may as well not have had a history at all.
We all know football has changed since we were playing regularly and challenging for the title, yes that seems like a million years ago, of course we shall be unlikely to challenge for it again in my lifetime, as finances have made it almost impossible to compete with the big clubs. Though the signing of Ryan Shawcross while not the best signing we’ve ever made is for me a very significant change in policy, a young player who is well regarded at Manchester United and while not ready for their side certainly is an exciting prospect and he’s coming to Stoke. I am sure he could take his pick of clubs but he wants to commit himself to Stoke and that is a wonderful thing to behold.
Looking back over those barren years, it is so difficult to see the woods from the trees, the disaster of the Ball era even as short as it was set us back a few seasons would have been far worse but for the arrival of Lou, that seemed to herald a new sawn a fresh hope but as with all things Stoke Lou left, Stein was sold on the cheap and on we stumbled hope extinguished and once more looking like staying in the wastelands for decades. Then hope is restored, Lou is back and we reach the only play off since we were relegated, of course the sale of one of our best players preceded the end of the season, we ran out of steam and no back up, hence we failed against Leicester, they took the final and we all know where they went and we all know what happened to us, back to the wastelands of lower league football and it seemed a Blackpool or Huddersfield existence, remembering the good days to sustain us in the dark realization that we may not see them again.
Those days seem a million miles away now, here we sit 4th with just over halfway to go in this season, not sure about a golden era but I really feel this could be a golden season, yes a lot can happen but it seems at last the club is learning. It’s giving supporters a more feel good message, progressing forward and I believe that is all most wanted. It was that hopeless feeling of stagnation that the summer brought that made people wonder just where we were heading, now through riding out luck, strong team bonding, a never give up mentality and it seems a more positive approach from Pulis things have changed around and I for one hope they remain this way because whatever the season brings a more positive outlook for Stoke is a bonus for all.
Well done to all concerned for giving us a more optimistic outlook and long may it remain, it’s good to be a Stoke supporter right now, good to hear positive noises from the club, about the club and from those who support the club. Stoke city may well finally be waking from it’s 20 plus year slumber and this time lets keep it awake and not send it beck into the coma.
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Post by Onneravineet on Jan 9, 2008 13:03:12 GMT
Ted, I've got to be honest I'm sure this is a great and lovely post. But I'm not going to read it right now as I only get half hour dinner and I read slow. So I'll comment another time.
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Post by garyhackett on Jan 9, 2008 13:10:00 GMT
I wont be convinced about us learning lessons until the end of jan when i see we have signed a left winger with pace, a striker to complement Fuller and a creative midfielder.
Then i will join in with everyone Jizzing over Coates and Pulis.
Right now the squad is nowhere near strong enough and remember we havent won any of the last four games and the last league game we played against Hull was an absolute pile of shit.
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Post by banburypotter on Jan 9, 2008 13:13:05 GMT
nice one ted, sums it up for me does that.
its scary to be on the brink of something that we have never had and at the back of your mind some little git is telling you its all going to go wrong, but i have never felt so upbeat and positive as i do at this moment in time.
PR coming out of the club has improved beyond recognition and the biggest thing for me is that we have a united squad. The manager has the dressing room and he backs the chairman and vice versa, how many clubs can say that?
its good to be a stokie and lets get to the end of that tunnel without the light being snuffed out, starting with ending ipswich's undefeated home run ;D
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Post by stayingupfor GermanStokie on Jan 9, 2008 13:13:36 GMT
That golden light you are talking about.... Are you sure it is not the train lights coming towards us?????  |
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Jan 9, 2008 13:13:39 GMT
GaryH, Fuller doesn't need compliments - he knows he is good.
He needs a striker to complEment his style of play. ;D
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Post by stayingupfor GermanStokie on Jan 9, 2008 13:14:16 GMT
Fuller doesn't need compliments - he knows he is good. lol  |
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Post by garyhackett on Jan 9, 2008 13:17:42 GMT
ok boys good call, i am getting mixed up with Demar Philips he was brought in to compiment Fuller wasnt he? well i cant think why else he was brought in as its not to play football.
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Post by lordb on Jan 9, 2008 13:20:15 GMT
this is Stoke City - what could possibly go wrong!
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Post by Widget123 on Jan 9, 2008 13:22:55 GMT
That golden light you are talking about.... Are you sure it is not the train lights coming towards us????? "Do you hear that, Mr. Germanstokie? That is the sound of inevitability." |
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Post by sheltonstokie on Jan 9, 2008 13:44:56 GMT
Absolutely spot on Ted & a great posting.
The "feel good" factor about Stoke is not restricted to our club & supporters.
I moved well away from Stoke (nothing to do with the football!) years a go. I now live in an area where I am the only supporter of the club (a part from my two young children). So I have had to endure being on the receiving end of endless p..s taking. However, in recent weeks, but specifically after Sunday, there has been a radical change of attitude.
The media are starting to give us credit but on a personal level two things have put me on a high. Firstly, I was bombarded with text messages, the common theme being how impressive we were in the second half and "you must be one of the favourites for promotion" Then to cap it off my 7 year old returned to school on Monday & when he returned home he said that some of his friends watched the game & "Dad they thought we were better than Michael Owen. Two mates will now support Stoke instead of Man United, Dad can you buy them Stoke shirts" Also at the start of each term their table's of 10 are allocated a name. After all the pupils voted one is now called Stoke City, the others are England, Man Utd, & Chelsea. Remember this is in an area nowhere near the Potteries (Chelsea, Liverpool & Man Utd/City are the favoured teams).
It illustrates what a tough time our children have had supporting Stoke (not just us) & what an impact positive media coverage will have on retaining their interest & for attracting future young supporters to our club.
We have two tough away games ahead of us, however, irrespective of these results we should make the most of the"feel good factor" - long may it continue (if only for our children's sakes!)
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Post by Pretty Little Boother on Jan 9, 2008 14:29:40 GMT
YES! We beat the Liverpool bastards! ;D
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Post by stayingupfor GermanStokie on Jan 9, 2008 15:39:50 GMT
That golden light you are talking about.... Are you sure it is not the train lights coming towards us????? "Do you hear that, Mr. Germanstokie? That is the sound of inevitability." Owwwwwww..... my ear drums are hurting!!!! |
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Post by ted1965 on Jan 9, 2008 15:43:23 GMT
I understand why people are still sceptical about getting carried away and I am certainly not doing that, just enjoying the moment as we all know how short they can be. I do have a feeling that things are a little different, the atmosphere and indications coming out of the club just sound more positive.
I do understand and have lived through enough false dawns to know time will tell whether this is just another one or the club truly have learned from the past mistakes but there is enough encouragement to be gleamed at the moment to give them a little slack and see where it takes us.
Though agree we need more quality in and the homework should have been done already, we shall see how much substance the new good PR at the club has come the end of January.
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Post by luke45 on Jan 9, 2008 16:13:13 GMT
another top post ted, have some karma  |
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Post by stayingupfor GermanStokie on Jan 9, 2008 16:23:32 GMT
I understand why people are still sceptical about getting carried away and I am certainly not doing that, just enjoying the moment as we all know how short they can be. I do have a feeling that things are a little different, the atmosphere and indications coming out of the club just sound more positive. I do understand and have lived through enough false dawns to know time will tell whether this is just another one or the club truly have learned from the past mistakes but there is enough encouragement to be gleamed at the moment to give them a little slack and see where it takes us. Though agree we need more quality in and the homework should have been done already, we shall see how much substance the new good PR at the club has come the end of January. Only having a joke Ted. I am chuffed as a Parkin pie at the moment, but this is way of cushioning any disappointment "if" it does go horribly wrong. |
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Post by ted1965 on Jan 9, 2008 16:33:29 GMT
I hear ya mate, been there enough times like I said enjoy the moment we know what can happen at Stoke.
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Post by stayingupfor GermanStokie on Jan 9, 2008 16:36:41 GMT
Give me some Karma then you tight owd git..... i'll enjoy it even more |
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Post by ted1965 on Jan 9, 2008 17:02:18 GMT
seeing as you asked so nicely mate lol, oh wait you called me owd ah why not have a bit of karma lol
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Post by leicspotter on Jan 9, 2008 17:19:31 GMT
I've decided just to enjoy the ride for now, won't get too carried away...but who knows eh!? |
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Post by CrazyPotter on Jan 9, 2008 17:20:46 GMT
Things are going really well at the moment, and its very encouraging Well put Ted!! |
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