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Post by cousindupree on Apr 14, 2019 10:07:52 GMT
Fully agree. IMHO the appointment of Cartwright was a political charade by Scholes to oust Pulis. If you check out the factual statements from the club about Cartwright’s profile and experience at the time of his recruitment you’ll discover it was nothing but hogwash. I think it was more to do with the club recognising it couldn’t just keep giving Tone money hand over fist to waste on players who were making his team worse or not getting into it. Look at his last 3-4 windows and ask how many of those players were regulars in his team? Coates himself had said something had to change and if the club was going to look at long term planning then we had to drag ourselves into the 21st Century and think beyond ‘the front of the house’. The days where an autocratic manager controls every aspect of a club are over. Look around. Of course, in true Stoke City fashion, rather than scouring Europe for a proper visionary to implement this seismic structural change, we went and got John’s fat mate from the lawyers up the road. That's exactly what happened Rob. I don't say that I am ITK now but I have been friends with an ex director of the club for some time and we often used to meet for a few beers at the White Lion in Barthomley. This was also the venue for an after match beer for the directors. Way before Carto was appointed he was part of a cabal of JC Carto and Andrew Edwards (funeral director from Alsager). The directors of the club were indeed getting pissed off with Pulis's recruitment and they at least recognised that a 'director of football'type individual was needed to improve the recruitment process. As often happens at SCFC the board took the easy and lazy option of recruiting someone already close to the club. It was blatant nepotism and hugely short sighted. Carto has a use in his knowledge and experience of dealing with Agents but his contacts were always and still are very very limited. The lack of an experienced DOF was somewhat masked under Mark Hughes who had some decent european contacts but now with an inexperienced Jones we, more than ever, need some serious weight at DOF level. It isn't going to happen although another shambles of a transfer window in the summer might 'rock the cabal' into changes. (good track by the Clash
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Post by cousindupree on Apr 13, 2019 13:52:49 GMT
For once it's a bit predictable from NO I expected Williams at RB and surely he couldn't leave Bojan out. But his insistence on picking Clucas and McClean every game is getting a bit Waring.
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Post by cousindupree on Apr 13, 2019 8:06:30 GMT
0-0 2-0
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Post by cousindupree on Apr 11, 2019 18:18:06 GMT
It was a poor decision made by a pretty inept ref, The big worry for me however is that I was hoping Clucas would have been at left back. Now there is every chance that NJ will pick his favourite in a No 10 role again! Not sure which of Jones's tactical masterstrokes has been the most bat shit... Clucas as a No 10 Afobe on the right wing McClean up top as a front 2 Shawcross up front
Answers on a postcard...or no doubt now it's answers to #batshitmoments
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Post by cousindupree on Apr 10, 2019 14:26:11 GMT
He will sign in the summer for a newly promoted Leeds. Leeds will be awash with money and he will be playing in the premier league for, whats likely to be, the team he grew up supporting.
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Post by cousindupree on Apr 9, 2019 21:42:09 GMT
Jones still very much in a honeymoon period. But he genuinely seems to be seeing things in Clucas that nobody else is. I listened to another interview pre-match when it was all "top player" and "top guy", "top this" and "top that". Still waiting for anything to justify it, and the selection in that role today was a head-scratcher to put it mildly And Afobe on the wing was just batshit, bananas, crazy. He's offering so little in any position that I'm close to writing him off for next season. To be fair, so is Vokes but there's possible mitigation with fitness so best to hold fire there. Still very much in his camp, but concerned that he's throwing away what is essentially half a season with no pressure and going needlessly conservative in his selections. I'll give him 2 for blooding Collins. It was indeed a conservative selection especially compared to the previous game, And if he learnt anything from Blackburn it should have been if you devoid the team of creativity you are going to hand the initiative to the opposition which is what happened at Blackburn. His selection today did that from the off. The season is over it's a meaningless game why not try and emulate the first half at Blackburn and see if Bojan and /or Verlinden can put the opposition under pressure?
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Post by cousindupree on Apr 9, 2019 21:31:04 GMT
1 For putting a team sheet in. That was as bad a day at the office a manager can have. His starting xi wreaked of negativity and parking the bus. It handed the initiative to Swansea from the kick off. I never ever want to see Clucas as a no 10 ( we know you love him Nath but he will never be a no 10). Nor do I want to see Afobe playing out right ever again. Jones's game management was as if he was asleep. It was predictable that James v Edwards would be a major tactic for them and Jones did nothing to stop Edwards getting rinsed. His 2nd yellow was absolutely inevitable. This performance doesn't make him a bad manager but it's a reminder that he has a lot to learn and needs to do it quickly
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Post by cousindupree on Apr 9, 2019 20:05:56 GMT
No surprise another yellow for Edwards he's been rinsed all night. He really needed some support from wide right
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Post by cousindupree on Apr 9, 2019 19:38:50 GMT
The goal has at least kept us in the game. If he doesn't make changes and very quickly there is still only one team winning this.
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Post by cousindupree on Apr 9, 2019 19:34:57 GMT
Holy shit!
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Post by cousindupree on Apr 9, 2019 16:36:45 GMT
1-0 2-1
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Post by cousindupree on Apr 7, 2019 16:42:31 GMT
They've done a great job at Wolves, but still can't see where it is going in the long run, they have spent a huge amount of money but are still trailing the top six by a long way. I'd just like to know what the long term strategy is. I am guessing it's a few cup finals and a European campaign. in fact just like us a few years back. That they are close to eclipsing our best season at the first attempt is pretty much amazing. Credit to those who run the club.
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Post by cousindupree on Apr 7, 2019 14:23:20 GMT
He clearly has many attributes that suggest he can be a successful manager at Championship level and maybe even higher. His record at Luton does him real credit. But coaching is only part of the job. Recruitment is crucial the higher the level of football you reach. Jones main knowledge is very much at Div 1 and Div 2 level not any higher and certainly not in Europe. He will need huge support from the recruitment team to get the right signings. Sadly the recruitment team has long been unfit for purpose. This may well hamstring his and our progress. So lets see what quality of players he can bring in. That's the big test
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Post by cousindupree on Apr 6, 2019 17:36:02 GMT
We were under the cosh in the second half. I get that Bojan isn't the most physical but he is able to pick an imaginative pass to get us on the front foot. We had zero creativity after he went off and the continual side and backward passing of our midfield lost us any momentum. A midfield of Clucas Maclean Allen and Etebo is not something I would want to see too often. As for McClean his main attribute is supposidly crossing and he is shit at that....jeez I hope we get rid in the summer.
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Post by cousindupree on Apr 6, 2019 13:41:59 GMT
.... Pukki on a free or Afobe for 12m? Norwich have been very smart with their recruitment primarily from Europe with the manager presumably using his contacts. It will be different for us with NJ's knowledge and contacts very much aligned to EFL 1 and 2 and a recruitment team unfit for purpose. Will be an interesting summer.
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Post by cousindupree on Apr 6, 2019 13:15:40 GMT
Glad to see he hasn't gone too negative and kept last weeks side. It's on paper the easiest of the 3 away games and no doubt he will make changes for the next two. Baffles that McClean starts, he was pretty hopeless last week and surely it's time to see Verlinden in his place. It's a sobering thought that a side recently in Div 1 owned by Indian chicken pluckers and managed by Tony feckin Mowbray have won more and scored more than us this season. SCFC board hang your head in shame
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Post by cousindupree on Apr 6, 2019 11:29:31 GMT
1-1 2-2
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Post by cousindupree on Apr 6, 2019 8:55:55 GMT
I am amused at those posters who thought Rowett spoke well and bought into his seeingly forthright and open comments. But if anyone listened carefully many of his interviews were laced with sneeky little pops at players and fans. He thought too much of himself as a manager and should have been smart enough to leave those thoughts to himself. It made him look a complete arsehole and it cost him his job. He's definitely an ok manager but jeez who in their right mind who has wedded themselves to 4-3-3 believes Ince Afobe and McClean are the dream team in a front three. wtf! Once again with Jones people are liking the way he talks. But the jury is very much still out for me. He has made us hard to beat but so did Lambert and Rowett. But his teams shots on goal record is pretty abysmal and quite possibly one of the worst in this poor league. Jones really needs to show he can win games and not just draw them as he edges ever closer to Lambert and Kamara stats. As for the 'it's not his team' excuse, many managers come into a new club with no transfer window and have an immediate impact. Bruce and Smith being just two in this league.
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Post by cousindupree on Apr 4, 2019 15:08:43 GMT
Vokes and Clucas both available. Afobe wasn't great last match so expect Vokes to play. As for Clucas, he's the manager's favourite so wouldn't surprise me to see him start. I will be mightily pissed off if he messes around with the midfield trio of Allen Etebo and Bojan who did so well last week. NJ's selection will tell us a little about whether he does what many manager's do and that's change a well performing side to accommodate a favourite.
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Post by cousindupree on Apr 3, 2019 15:39:15 GMT
Wow that does look amazing and it's the best in the UK no doubt about it. My local stadium the Mercedes Benz where Atlanta United play is truly fantastic and the fan facilities are top notch making it a special visit every time. The new WHL looks on a par. I usually get there an hour before the game and hit the sports bar after the match. In addition to to the tickets I probably spend around $35-40 on food and drink before and after the game. At the Bet 365 I rarely even buy a Bovril!
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Post by cousindupree on Apr 1, 2019 15:14:23 GMT
Fingers crossed for Rowett. Really hoping he gets a gig soon and still believes his dream front three in a 4-3-3 of Ince Afobe and McClean are the dogs bollox. He would get all three at knock down prices and in turn do us a huge favour.
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Post by cousindupree on Mar 30, 2019 13:46:32 GMT
0-0 1-1
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Post by cousindupree on Mar 30, 2019 13:18:58 GMT
Always enjoyed an away day at the cottage. One for the diary next season
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Post by cousindupree on Mar 30, 2019 12:55:46 GMT
Will be an interesting match up of managers. One manager much derided on here but has hit the ground running with 5 wins and 5 draws against a manager who is still looking for his trainers. But hey it's not his team.
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Post by cousindupree on Mar 26, 2019 19:06:47 GMT
The balance will be to have a first team squad that will see us being a “real and significant” challenger for automatic promotion. Having a nucleus who, if successful will see additions in the following summer/winter windows that will be able to retain a place in the Premiership. IMHO I think you can forget seeing the recruitment of so called superstars, you’ll see steady eddies who can do the job. Depends how you define those types of player really. I think we’ll see some exciting players come in, they just won’t be ‘names’ but up and comers. Up and comers? That's a huge gamble and if they don't perform could see us at this level for some years to come. Who exactly is going to find these 'up and comers' from div 1 2 and conference. Our recruitment team have no knowledge of this market and have never recruited below champ level. Add to that the recruitment team is not fit for purpose. It will be a h8ge ask to rely on Jones alone. The managers summer recruitment will define whether he succeeds or fails. Many on here are convinced he will sign the right players as he is a future star manager in the making. I reserve my judgement till October time.
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Post by cousindupree on Mar 19, 2019 10:30:24 GMT
Along with James Mclean, he`s the main reason why we have had such a poor season in my opinion ...... ideally both need to be shipped out somehow in the summer or another season of mediocrity beckons. Alternatively, he’s the reason we’re not in a bona fide relegation battle... Really? Not quite sure how you work that one out. I would say we are not in a relegation fight is mainly down to ultra defensive displays by Jones and Rowett and jack Butland. As for Ince McClean and Afobe. How on earth did Rowett come to the conclusion that these 3 were his chosen front 3 in a 4-3-3 system. It's a combination from hell. Afobe....wrong type of player for a 4-3-3 Ince.....Much too inconsistent and goes missing McClean..Just a head down run and cross player of which there are dozens in Lge 1 and 2 who would cost next to nothing. Sadly the manager seems to like Ince and McClean so they will be part of Jones's not so new revolution next season.
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Post by cousindupree on Mar 16, 2019 14:30:30 GMT
1-0 1-0
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Post by cousindupree on Mar 14, 2019 16:36:26 GMT
I'm saving my money and watching the 6 nations finale, come at me people. It will be hugely more exciting and entertaining than what will be on offer at the Bet 365. Saturday's game will be the first game I have missed (o.k as an exile it's stream) as I have decided to camp myself at Ri Ra Irish bar in downtown Atlanta. It's also St Paddy's weekend so it should be buzzing and I will be cheering for the irish against the taffs.
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Post by cousindupree on Mar 14, 2019 12:00:00 GMT
5 a lower bottom half team gets an away draw at a playoff chasing side on paper looks an OK result and clearly Jones's celebration at the end suggests his negative set up and negative subs got what he wanted....but offensively it's as bad as anything Rowett and Lambert produced.
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Post by cousindupree on Mar 14, 2019 11:55:32 GMT
If it's not his plan why bother setting up that way. If he wants to play football and play on front foot, pick some footballers who can actually play with a modicum of talent. Oh...and if he could stop celebrating a 0-0 draw like we've won the cup final, it would be most appreciated. It's small time and its embarrassing. Clap the support by way of appreciation then fuck off. Context, again. It’s to build a bit of confidence and a work ethic into a weak as piss bunch. At this stage I couldn’t give a fuck if he does the lambada at the end of games, it’s neither here nor there. Building a team spirit and hard to beat mentality in a group of players who many predict will be all to a man shipped out. we are told on here that this isn't Jones's team so we can expect at least 6/7 new faces in the starting lineup so new players team spirit and mentality will have to be built again. I really expected Jones to be trying different players and different systems...Ashley Williams in midfield and James McClean as part of a front two with Fletcher making a late cameo appearance is all bordering on the pathetic. what's the progress people are suggesting? Setting up defensively and grinding out draws is one of the basics most managers can achieve...Lambert did it and so did Rowett.
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