The club seem to have learned from the past

[ted1965]

I read a few threads where people were still complaining about how things are at the club. I can’t quite understand that attitude, being a Stoke supporter isn’t always an easy experience it certainly has had more downs than ups over the last 30 years that when a season like this comes along you have to put aside the doubts and the owner and manager and just enjoy the moment.

I have been very critical of both and believe me if they show sings of moving backwards to where we were a while ago I shall be more than happy to air my grievances with both again. Though at this moment in time whether you are a card carrying member of their fan club or simply enjoying the ride it’s safe to say neither have put a foot wrong in the last 4 months. Coates has rubber stamped spending on players of the calibre of Cort, Shawcross, Pugh and Griffin.

Cort after a slow start has shown himself to be a very useful defender at this level and while the fee looks a little high at first glance, if you look at what you have to pay for a good centre half today it’s not really over the top, when you throw in the fact he has weighed in with more goals since his arrival than three of our other so called forwards it’s a bargain in my view.

The manager, yes still things about him that will never endear him to me though to be honest I don’t care, he is doing a great job at the moment and that is what really matters, you can get away with certain character flaws if you’re producing the results on the field. Football isn’t like some television talent show it’s not a popularity contest it’s about achieving results and getting the best out of what you have to work with, at this moment in time he is doing both far better than I ever imagined and I am enjoying every damn minute.

It’s certainly been refreshing to hear a far more upbeat and positive tone to him, that is reflected on the field also. If you hear your manager talking you up and being positive it has to give you confidence. The players believe they are genuine promotion contenders and you can see they believe and trust in each other, they work hard and this season you feel they will somehow find a way to get a result. That is very important when you’re fighting at either end of a table, if you can grind out a draw or snatch a win when you’re not playing well it shows character within a side and allows a manager time to breathe and not be looking over his shoulder every time you lose.

The public relations at the club has gone from diabolical to excellent, in the summer they could have made a multi million investment into a public relations disaster there seemed to be not a week go by but the club found new ways to shoot itself in the foot and leave it’s supporters wondering where the hell we were going. That seems to have changed, it’s all upbeat and the vibes from the club is totally positive, that filters down through to the supporters, you have a feeling of progress and considering how things have been in the past it lifts us all to hear good news, a club who actually look like professionals and not as if the club is being run like by the clowns from a circus. I know results and a good league position help but considering we had a fairly successful season by Stokes recent history last season, somehow the club managed to turn that optimism into total gloom by the time this season began. So there’s been some kind of fundamental change within the structure of the club, there’s a different attitude at last they seem to realize that supporters are important and life goes much easier if you are in tune with them rather than treating them like retards who should be ignored. There are still issues where people will be unhappy, that’s normal you can’t get everything right overnight but actually showing a willingness to listen and learn is all we as supporters can ask, combined with good results gives a feel good factor not felt for a long time.

That’s why I have put aside my own personal opinions of both Pulis and Coates, it’s time to enjoy the moment as we never know how long it will last, not saying I will forget but both are doing a good job and showing a change in attitude and for that we should all be grateful.

I know nothing is decided till May, that’s when the true picture will be seen but with two or three quality additions to what we have now I am pretty sure we will be smiling even wider come the end of the season, if not then at least we have had something to remember and that happens rarely of late for Stoke fans.

It’s an exciting time to be a Stoke supporter, history has shown us it may not last to long so lets enjoy it while it lasts, if you look for problems all the time they will surely come your way. It’s great to see a smile on faces, people talking the club up from top to bottom and when everyone is pulling in the same direction the results are usually positive.

[jew]

wow that must of taken ted ages to type and no one replied

[Adster]

ted, you are slowly becoming a Legend IMO. you must take months to think of all the things to say, u even get most people agreeing with all that you say.

interesting points on ere as always ted.


;D

[panini2001]

slowly becoming the key words...

[NYCP]

Well said Sir.

"The public relations at the club has gone from diabolical to excellent"

Who was the bloke on here that went on a complete mission to degrade the club because some employees had been laid off within the PR department?

This lasted for a good few months and the basic premise was that 'Edna and Harold have worked there for 30years, they are both Stoke through and through and TS is a complete wanker for sacking them'

....hmmmm....the improvements that have been mentioned by numerous people seem to indicate that perhaps TS was correct

[stokeny]

I agree ted happy days.

[fishty]

Excellent post. Agree 100%!

[salifdiao]

The guy in question who used to post utter bollox on here was Brian Pottermuss i remember Gary Hackett arguing with him about it for days