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Post by TheWiseMaster on Feb 2, 2004 14:06:05 GMT
Great comments from Sarbs in the Sentinel
Apparantly Ade stays at Sarbs house when Stoke are at home and the previous Friday/Saturday morning Ade was ear bashing Sarbs on the need to score - he was threatening me as soon as I woke said Sarbs!
Sarbs went on to say that the three front guys are the best of pals and that Giftons ability to hold the ball up is a major plus for Stoke.
The strikers never moan to the manager about the other players because they can appreciate the other player's qualities
Genuine team spirit which will take us a long way.
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Post by SuperStokie on Feb 2, 2004 14:11:56 GMT
Anyone read Sarbs' Scrapbook in the programme. Pretty funny! It's nice to know the players get on isn't it. Better than the old rumours of fighting. Something does feel different with this squad and there is definatley a high level of team spirit. Jon
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Post by padders01 on Feb 2, 2004 14:14:07 GMT
Ive just read The Sentivale myself
What a great article about Sarbs, Ade and GNW
I have looked on the website and surprise surprise its not on there.
But its really good to read that they all get on so well! ;D
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Post by Pricey on Feb 2, 2004 14:14:48 GMT
He was wearing a Yankees hat in the interview on my favourite programme Soccer Sunday, so I don't like him! ;D
Spoke very well though I thought!
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Feb 2, 2004 14:15:20 GMT
It is on the website - on the link on the top left
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Post by padders01 on Feb 2, 2004 14:19:27 GMT
Post the link then!!
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Post by smeegsSCFC on Feb 2, 2004 14:20:15 GMT
This is evidence of the fantastic team bulilding TP has done at the club
did anyone ever hear the Thorne/Lightbourne feud rumour a few years back?
smeegs
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Post by padders01 on Feb 2, 2004 14:21:17 GMT
Or better still i will post the whole article ;D
ASABA LEARNS HOW BEST TO PREPARE FOR A GAME
12:00 - 02 February 2004 Carl Asaba has discovered the perfect pre-match preparation - spend the night with Ade Akinbiyi.
No, in the sporting sense, not the biblical, and it worked a treat in the run up to Asaba's two-goal return to Stoke's victorious line-up on Saturday. The pair are regular room-mates away from home, while last Friday was spent together in the Asaba household.
And Akinbiyi, the man being replaced by Asaba because of suspension, was all too keen to give his big mate an inspirational ear bashing before Saturday's success.
"It can be frustrating when he stays around at my house the night before a game and is screaming at me: 'you must score'. And he was threatening me as soon as I woke up.
"Me, Ade and Gifton (Noel-Williams) spend a lot of time together. There's no sniping behind each other's back by going up to the gaffer and saying: 'I should be playing instead of him'.
"We've all got full respect for each other and the gaffer wouldn't have it any other way.
"It's been terrible being out of the team, but it has been made easier by the fact we've been winning. Gifton has been fantastic and the key for the team at the moment because everything goes through him.
"And what can you say about Ade? He's been a revelation."
Again, in the sporting rather than biblical sense, but Saturday was Asaba's moment in the spotlight as he pulled one goal clear of his two strike partners by reaching seven for the season.
The omnipresent Darel Russell had already seen an early shot confound the goalkeeper's sorry efforts - and Walsall claim the first of two equalisers - by the time Asaba reacted quickest to claim his 100th League goal following the keeper's failure to hold a low drive from Kris Commons.
And Asaba effectively won the game in the 56th minute when he was again alive to the possibilities to re-direct Noel-Williams' shot past a wrong-footed goalkeeper.
"I let everyone else do the hard work," quipped Asaba, "and I just took the glory. Earlier in the season we would have crumbled after letting them back into the game, but not now. I've been in some good squads and this one is really beginning to believe in itself."
But Stoke's failure to capitalise on the thrusting efforts of Asaba, Commons, Neal et al susbequently left them clinging precariously to their lead - and thanking their lucky stars when an offside flag prevented Walsall claiming an 88th-minute equaliser.
"I felt sorry for our defenders," added Asaba, "because we had some great chances and the game should have been dead and buried. Our lads at the back were made to work hard for our victory."
None more so than Paul Williams who, like John Halls, was far from fully fit when rallying to the cause of a squad deprived of nearly 10 players through suspension, injury, illness and loan duty.
Williams had more excuse than most to dodge this one after missing the last three months through injury - and struggling to recapture his best form during the previous three.
But his stock will have risen among the faithful after putting his reputation on the line by returning to a side in desperate need at the heart of its defence.
And it was Williams - despite conspicuous cover on the bench - lasting the pace remarkably well to apply his head, boot and torso during various late skirmishes in and around Stoke's six-yard box.
Once again, you might argue, the Gods were smiling on Stoke when it mattered most, but this is a team, nay squad, deserving any slice of fortune falling its way right now.
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Post by SuperStokie on Feb 2, 2004 14:24:29 GMT
The Thorne/Lightbourne rumour. Enlighten me smeegs. (no pun intended Jon
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2004 15:10:11 GMT
<....sits back and waits to see which Oatcake rumour-monger will post the first "Asaba puts in transfer request after Akinbiyi breaks kitchen Toasty Sandwich Maker" ...>
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Post by RipRoaringPotter on Feb 2, 2004 22:34:44 GMT
If Ade threatening Sarbs is deemed as an indicator of great team spirit, I'd hate see a bad team spirit ;D
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Post by JoeinOz on Feb 3, 2004 2:16:57 GMT
Ted Sheringham and Andy Cole didn't speak to each other for yonks but continued to be succesful and win medals. It is possible to be a good football team and have some of the players not getting on but the spirit we have is great. Camaraderie does give you an edge at times.
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Post by Hooky on Feb 3, 2004 5:55:03 GMT
Mr. Pulis appears to have been very canny in bringing in not only quality signings, but one's that are able to bond and take team spirit to a level not seen at stoke in years, they are all pulling the same way.
I believe this was one of the strong points in his gillingham team also. looking back at things that were said (by myself included) about him loosing the dressing room, post cardiff/gillingham games, seems almost ridiculous now really doesn't it.
Its also quite gratifying to hear the players rate GNW as the key to the team, and his ability to hold up the ball, and need at least 2 players marking him, so that whilst hes only 2nd joint top scorer...people moan he doesn't get enough goals, but has as many as Ade..!!? he is actually not there as a goal getter, but as a thorn in the oppositions side, and a provider of chances for others, but hes also willing to take the ball on and have a crack if its THE only option.
Top marks to the 3 of em, but surley Ade can afford a nice little house of his own at Stoke prices !
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