Top four? The season is not over, yet. I wouldn't cash that Champion's League check just yet. And as far as congratulations go, congratulations on not winning any silverware this year... Good move concentrating on Stoke! Such bitterness from the Villians supporters...
Stoke got a great 2-0 win at the Britainnia today against Bolton, and with the 3 points have vaulted to 15th in the tables. The next match is away at Everton on Saturday, which will be on FoxSoccer live at 10:00 a.m. As we have a match that night, Chantico's Army will not have a watch event, but I'll be watching none the less.
I am becoming more of a Stoke fan, with the club affiliation and all, but my prediction Everton 2 Stoke 0. Up you Toffees!!
I was listening to a BBC podcast last night at the gym, and heard some interesting analysis of the Beattie v. Kitson situation. You'll remember that Kitson was signed from Reading last summer for a club record 5.5 million quid. Apparently, Tony Pulis has realized that the investment has yielded minimal (read "any") return whereas the Beattie investment has resulted in almost a goal a game since he came in the January transfer window. I couldn't agree more with that analysis. Additionally, I have found it interesting that Ricardo Fuller is playing (albeit a sub) whereas I'm not seeing much of Griffin (who I frankly don't like). Ahhh, with EPL and SPL in the final throws of the season, USL1 and MLS starting, there's so much football and so little time (as I sit here and watch the Puerto Rico match on FoxSoccer).
I think Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie need to start together to help see them through so they will get regulated. (Not relegated.) We need to get the goal differential above -10 to have a good chance, IMO. I think Kitson should be sold to whomever will take him, maybe Notts County... Good result today against a decent team. I just wish we could end up with more than 4 points from away games. If we can, that will make it so we don't have to go to the Emirates looking to win in order to stay up...At least three points from West Brom and/or Hull would be good.
At Everton is a tough game; I'd be ecstatic with a draw. But look at the next four games -- Middlesbrough, West Brom, Newcastle, Blackburn -- four of the five teams behind us in the standings. That's the stretch that should decide it. I'm afraid goal differential is a losing proposition; we better hope it doesn't come down to that. If they do go +7 over the last 10 games, they'll be closer to 10th place than 18th.
Stoke City announced today that they were sending Dave Kitson, the former Reading striker signed in the summer of 2008 for a record $11 million (based on a pound to $ rate of 2:1 at the time), back to Reading on loan. Soccernet is reporting that expectations are that the loan would be permanent if Reading, who is currently sitting at 3rd in the Championship, make the jump to the Premiership at the end of the season. Personally, this is good news, especially since Stoke believe they may be able to get the entire fee back in the loan and potential trade deal. Kitson never impressed me, and once Beattie was signed in the January transfer, it was clear who the go to striker would be.
Good. Kitson never settled in at Stoke and he would be more effective at his old familiar grounds at Reading instead of Britainnia.
lads, with a 2-0 result against the Baggies our Big sister club has all but sinched it's Prem status, as has Blackburn with a 2-0 result over Spurs. Play up you Potters, well done. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQxSz0XHXyA"]YouTube - Up the Potters![/ame]
Very impressive away win. But I don't think we can say anything is in the bag just yet. There are still 7 games to play, and just 6 point separating Stoke from the relegation zone, there's still way too much movement possible. Yeah, that's a huge win. And Stoke's now the highest they've been in the table (13th). But they need to take care of business the next two weeks. Still, like watching for MLS stadiums to get built, I'm of the "I'll wait 'til it's guaranteed before I start talking."
OK. 6 games to play, and our boys in Engerland maintain their 6-point separation with a home tie against Newcastle. Not good, though, since it was at home, and it was Newcastle, the team sitting in that top spot in the relegation zone. A win would've been much better. I don't know enough to say how much of a setback that is. And in a side tidbit, after the amazing start that Hull City had, Stoke is now the top of the three teams that were promoted this season.
I believe Stoke need at least 4 more points in the last 6 games to stay safe. It's hard to say. Their remaining schedule is not the worst so 4 points is kind of a low ball figure. V. Blackburn @ Fulham V. West Ham United @ Hull V. Wigan @ Arsenal I just pray that they are safe before the last game at Arsenol. They need to get the 3 points next week against Rovers (Sorry Blackburn). I think some of the teams below them have a tougher remaining schedule. Although now that I look at it, it is really no cake walk.
We will crush them like grape! Seriously, while I want Stoke to stay up, Blackburn need those points more!
Blackburn better watch out, the Stoke fans have a missile. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.u...deo-review/article-895713-detail/article.html I haven't found any follow-up articles on the incident. I was able to watch the 2nd half and thought Stoke and Newcastle played fairly even with both having opportunities. Certainly it was disappointing to not win at home against a struggling squad. We'll hope for better luck in the next match, and hopefully nothing makes it to the pitch from the stands. Go Stoke!
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5lQXv6S_-Q"]YouTube - Stoke fans singing Delilah[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCXY2UjygSw&feature=related"]YouTube - Pottermouth - Keep Stoke Up[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQxSz0XHXyA"]YouTube - Up the Potters![/ame] Potters 2-0 Hull THAT"LL DO BIG SIS!!!!! UP THE POTTERIES UP THE STOKIES DELILAH EVERMORE WAY TA STUFF IT TO THE SUITS WHO SAID YOU'D GET THA BOOTS ON YOUR WAY BACK DOWN WELL DONE ALL, FROM GAFFER TO CROWD YOU'VE MADE US ALL QUITE PROUD TO COUNT OURSELVES AS PART OF YOUR LOT HOORAH THE POTTERS HOORAH THE POTTERS THE SHIPS WILL COME IN YET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Actually, the final was SCFC 2, Hull 1 on a 90' Hull goal. However, it takes the Potters to 42, which is enough to play in the EPL next season. With the additional points, they're clear of relegation, which sees WBA, Newcastle and 'Boro at the bottom with 31 each. Looks like another season of $5 Guinness and Breakfast tacos!!!!
Now maybe Phil will be able to catch his breath a little! Great job Stoke and much credit to Tony Pulis! Up you Potters! Let's hope Rory Delap has a successful shoulder surgery, because we will need his rockets again... Great to see the bookies have to eat their own pies... Potters! Potters! Potters!
And now you can stamp a Wigan "kill" stamp on the Stokie bomber. Wiggies 1-2 Potters Now the real Icing on the cake would be three points off of the gooners in the season final. WOOP WOOP. Oh, and Surprise surprise the devils won the league, BOORING. (honestly I probably wouldn't follow the EPL if it wasn't for the Potters.)