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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2008 22:41:46 GMT
I try not to be hysterical but last year was frustrating enough. This year could perhaps be even more so - money has been spent and we have a robust team that has done well. BUT anybody can see we have limitations - be it in midfield or, upfront.
Whichever way you look at it - we still aren't strong enough - look at the bench - look at the mid fielders (bless em) and look behind the fact we are indeed free scoring this season -
We are VERY vulnerable up front - we have one man only with real proven goalscoring quality - but he's frail in temperament and body -so close and yet so far.
Maybe they are thinking of next season and the bargains to be had this summer.
But each season it gets harder - more and more money is available and spent by others
SO ,will stoke go that extra mile to sign the extra couple of players that would take us to the next level
in my opinion - its time to take the gamble ! go the extra mile - empty the wallet even more - we've got to
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Post by mermaidsal on Jan 30, 2008 22:51:27 GMT
I honestly believe 'falling short' this season means play-offs not auto. But yes we're vulnerable up front and far too dependent on Ricci - on the other hand his temperament (apart from a couple of moments) and fitness have been a revelation this season now he's that bit more settled.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2008 22:54:32 GMT
awww cmon -hes completely off his trolley -the maddest hero we've had for years
when do you last remember a stoke centre forward sitting on his arse having a temper tantrum like a great big baby ?
I love him to bits too - but hes far too unpredictable and easily wound up, still - for my liking
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Post by mumf14 on Jan 30, 2008 23:12:00 GMT
I think there's a chance of bringing someone in but it's debateable whether that player is enough to secure automatic promotion.Putting it bluntly, we will probably fall short compared to our oppositions squad strength.Some will find this a convenient excuse to blame the manager,when reality suggests that there isn't enough money in the kitty and Coatesy would probably prefer to gamble that we can get promotion through the back door.
If this proves to be the case,then we need to pray.....
As for Fuller being off his trolley then I can think of many players infinately worse ......
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Post by MarkWolstanton on Jan 30, 2008 23:38:08 GMT
when reality suggests that there isn't enough money in the kitty If this proves to be the case,then we need to pray..... Oh come off it now mumfy. You were playing that tune all through the late summer and autumn following the great summer of inactivity. It has been proven beyond any doubt that the money is and always was there. Everyone at the club was saying it was all the time you were casting doubt on the matter and they are still telling you they are prepared to push the boat out on forwards etc. Any and every manager lives or dies by his ability to recognise what is required and to bring the right players in to fix the issues. When you have the cash available, as we have, it will only come back to one person if we fail whether you are comfortable with that fact or not. |
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Post by stokeny on Jan 31, 2008 0:55:26 GMT
"We are VERY vulnerable up front - we have one man only with real proven goalscoring quality "
If you ignore the fact that we have 5 players in the team with six league goals or more. Which is better than any other team in the division.
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Post by samstoke on Jan 31, 2008 1:06:33 GMT
I honestly believe 'falling short' this season means play-offs not auto. But yes we're vulnerable up front and far too dependent on Ricci - on the other hand his temperament (apart from a couple of moments) and fitness have been a revelation this season now he's that bit more settled. I wouldn't say 'only' getting into the playoffs this season is a failure, I'd say it would be a successful season even if we ultimately fail to go up. I wouldn't consider we have had the sort of squad (or kind of money availiable) to make missing out on automatic promotion a failure. West Brom is an example of a team who should consider 'only' the playoffs a failure, also Charlton. Reaching the playoffs would represent solid progress on last season, but who knows maybe we will go one better? We certainly need to strengthen though because our current squad is capable of missing out on even the playoffs in my opinion, which I would consider a failure from this position. |
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Post by Pretty Little Boother on Jan 31, 2008 1:19:28 GMT
Yes it would be an utter failure to not go up this season, especially since we pissed last season up the wall as well.
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Post by ukcstokie on Jan 31, 2008 7:49:03 GMT
Maybe they are thinking of next season and the bargains to be had this summer. What? So they can exploit all those bargains as expertly as they did last summer? |
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Post by mcf on Jan 31, 2008 7:50:48 GMT
You could well be right MarkW about the money
It wasn't exactly a summer of inactivity though - a number of players were brought to the club.
I'd say that the timings of players coming into the club has been pretty good on the whole.
We all know why it tends to be left to the last minute.
What is more significant is how badly the Pulis Hating Wankstains assessed our chances from the summer to now.
One thing is for sure, it will be an interesting finish to the season.
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Post by ukcstokie on Jan 31, 2008 8:27:14 GMT
What is more significant is how badly the Pulis Hating Wankstains assessed our chances from the summer to now. Why is this significant? Just for point scoring? Or maybe it's significant how the PHW assessed our chances between Christmas last year and the end of the season eh? Just hope we don't piss it away again this season. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2008 8:51:09 GMT
This wouldn’t be the Oatcake board if there wasn’t doom and gloom posts after a defeat.
We are 4th FFS, 2nd best goal difference in the league; we’ve got a goalscorer up front, one in midfield and 2 at the back.
TP was slated last year for being too defensive, this year we are scoring more (albeit conceding more) but that’s part and parcel of being more attacking, you are more vulnerable to concede.
We lost 1-0 away at Charlton, let’s put it into perspective. The league wasn’t won or lost on Tuesday. It’s all about how we react now and that starts on Saturday.
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Post by stokemark on Jan 31, 2008 9:45:50 GMT
I think if we make the Play Offs that would be regarded as success - There are plenty of decent teams in this division, many who could lay greater claim than us that they are 'set up' for promotion.
I will be very happy indeed if we manage to secure our ticket to the 'lottery' !
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2008 9:53:12 GMT
With the exception of West Brazil (yes we always beat them but lets face it, they have a stronger squad than us) there is no team in this league we should fear. Play-offs would be a great achievement but let’s not give up hope on that 2nd spot just yet.
Yes, it’s a big ask, but we have an outside chance if we can put a run together now.
The league’s really close this year and that 2nd place is up for grabs between a bunch of teams, us being one of them.
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Post by BraveSirRobin on Jan 31, 2008 9:54:20 GMT
I just think we need another 3 or so players or we will fall short,even of the play-offs.
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Post by cousindupree on Jan 31, 2008 11:25:25 GMT
There is a real lack of quality in this league this season which has surprised me. Yes West Brom look good at times but can and will be beaten a few more times this season. Other than that the rest look very ordinary. But i have concerns that the squad is thin on quality and we are 2/3 players short on having a squad to go up automatically...so playoffs are the best we can hope for and then who knows.
Will the season turn out to be a success. I suppose if we manage more points than last season people will say we are making progress...but last season I think we really blew it with a poor january, slow to strengthen in the second half of the season and some negative play which saw us concede late goals. With the exception of late goals conceded the season has a real deja vu about it. If we fail I will be more disappointed than last season...it really is there for the taking and if not surely next season will not be of such poor quality?
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