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Post by Danstoke82 on Feb 22, 2008 13:32:24 GMT
22/02/2008 - Robbie Earle: Potters can edge tight battle for top-two spot
Stoke fans won't have been able to take their eyes off the league table since City hit top spot a week ago.
Tony Pulis will be hoping his side have timed their run at just the right time as they try to fire the club into the top flight for the first time in 23 years.
I reckon the Championship race will deliver an unbelievably tight finish, but a look at the runners and riders suggests Stoke might just make the Premier League without having to endure the play-offs.
THIS is the first time in years STOKE have been in this position.
They say the pressure is on when you are at the top, but I reckon they will enjoy the situation more than last season, when they were playing catch-up. They haven't had much attention from the national media until now. But the consensus has always they are a big, physical side who are tough to play against.
City might feel that stereotype doesn't tell the whole truth, but if I was them I would be happy to encourage it.
It gives them an aura and will have visiting teams happy to settle for a point.
STOKE'S toughest rivals could be WATFORD, who went through all this two years ago.
Aidy Boothroyd will be positive and will drive his players on. Add the fact he has them extremely well-organised and disciplined and you have formidable title-contenders.
They will miss Marlon King, who was sold to Wigan in January, but I reckon they still have enough to return to the Premier League at the first attempt.
BRISTOL CITY are the biggest surprise of the top six, having been promoted from League One last season.
Gary Johnson has done a fantastic job at Ashton Gate and I am loathe to write them off after they have climbed to within a point of top spot.
But although they are good side, I don't think they have quite enough to be in the top two by May. Instead, I reckon they will be comfortably in the play-offs.
STOKE fans should be cheering on WEST BROM in their FA Cup quarter-final at Bristol Rovers - because an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley could be the distraction which prevents the Baggies finishing in the top two.
Tony Mowbray's outfit are the best footballing team in the division and the best equipped to play in the Premier League.
They also have the best squad in the Championship, now they have snapped up Aston Villa striker Luke Moore.
But an FA Cup run will inevitably take some focus away from their league campaign.
Mowbray will be desperate to make sure that isn't the case but he would be hounded out of town if he doesn't give the cup his best shot.
It is almost impossible to choose two from Watford, Stoke and West Brom.
But I reckon the Baggies might just miss out on the last day and have to take their chances in the play-offs again.
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Post by Danstoke82 on Feb 22, 2008 13:33:00 GMT
Although the bit about West Brazil having the best squad?!...hmm needs to get himself down to the Brit!  |
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Post by neilb987 on Feb 22, 2008 14:04:31 GMT
Wasn't Robbie Earle on Stoke's books at Youth Team level before he went to The Fail? Still a Stokie at heart, maybe?
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Post by sheikhmomo on Feb 22, 2008 14:08:23 GMT
A good Goms Mill lad Robbie. probably a Stokie at heart.
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Post by dexter97 on Feb 22, 2008 14:12:46 GMT
Wasn't Robbie Earle on Stoke's books at Youth Team level before he went to The Fail? Still a Stokie at heart, maybe? He was a Stokie, but was very bitter when they "let him go", and ended up at Vale. |
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Post by TheDee51 on Feb 22, 2008 14:14:38 GMT
is that where he caught the gay disease from?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2008 14:14:56 GMT
Goms mill?
Coalville methinks.
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Post by sheikhmomo on Feb 22, 2008 15:06:57 GMT
Overlooking the Cemo in Goms Mill
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Post by Stick It On Cort's Head on Feb 22, 2008 15:21:01 GMT
Stating the obvious???
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Post by lordb on Feb 22, 2008 16:00:18 GMT
Didnt he have a bad injury (leg break?) & wasnt offered terms despite Tony Lacy pushing to keep him.
No idea if he was bitter about it
dont forget he was awful for Fail for some time (in div 4 to boot) before he started to improve.
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Post by kkkkken on Feb 23, 2008 0:43:14 GMT
I am sure he is a nice bloke , well thats what i have heard , but he really gets on my tits when he is co -commentating
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