ponsaelius

I'm with you but it really does depend - you could hoy a 16 year old from the reserves in at left back for the next 10 games and it could completely destroy his confidence if he wasn't 'ready'. I'm happy for the 2 mentioned to be introduced as subs for the next few games and we see where we go from there. There's really no need to be playing Lovenkrands at all at the minute anyway as it should be Ba/Best/Shola battling for 1 or 2 forward positions with the kids providing cover for the time being. Fair enough. I think Sammy should have been coming on instead of Smith at the weekend though.

Krul Simpson Taylor Colo Santon Tioté Cabaye Marveaux Jonas Best Ba Is what I want to see personally. Maybe swap Jonas and Marveaux around. Or play a 4-3-3/4-5-1 with Marveaux in that midfield role he played vs Scunny. Obertan is a better option from the bench IMO, his pace can scare teams for sure. Overall that team should be good enough to get a result so long as they're all fit, defence looks a good unit and we have enough to trouble them going forward.

I hate the attitude towards youth not being ready. There's absolute nothing to gain from playing Lovenkrands, so play Sammy and Vuckic. They've got undoubted potential IMO and are actually proving to be better on the pitch NOW than the alternatives.

In terms of allround goalkeeping Given has always been overrated. Fantastic shotstopper but for a large period of time when he was at his best he had a shambolic defence infront of him which exaggerated his quality. Which begs the further question were the frailties in defence not only exaggerating his ability, but was he a large part of the reason they looked such a shambles in the first place... ie in terms of his command of the defence, aerial ability, anticipation, being able to instill confidence, distribution etc. He was a great servant to the club and certainly above average in terms of the Premier League, but I think it speaks volumes that despite his reputation as one of the very best not once did a top club come in for him. I actually think Krul has the potential to far outstrip Given. Szczesny, too.

Alan Smith should be charged for crimes against humanity. My eyes literally weep blood when he's getting gametime. Cretin that he is.

This guy should be feeding a quality centre-forward this season, not the likes of Lovenkrands and Shola.

England are going a bit down that route aren't we ? Naming rights for stadia if you offer enough, how long before someone says i'll give you half a billion if you rename the club after say Adidas (as an example). Adidas United or whatever, thats my worry. Fan power is too strong here. An entire fanbase deserting a club = an unworkable business. I didn't mean us mate but what about a club about to go to the wall, sell their to soul to survive ? I think it's the same at any club in this country. The core of a the Salzburg fans deserted the team, the same would happen here only with a larger percentage IMO. Although, the more that proper hardcore supporters are priced out of the game might change that...

Would rather play Sameobi and Vuckic than Lovenkrands, so it's the same for any free transfer shite we could potentially bring in.

England are going a bit down that route aren't we ? Naming rights for stadia if you offer enough, how long before someone says i'll give you half a billion if you rename the club after say Adidas (as an example). Adidas United or whatever, thats my worry. Fan power is too strong here. An entire fanbase deserting a club = an unworkable business.

It was a fucking disgrace what happened to Austria Salzburg. The kind of thing that should never, ever happen in football. Thankfully fan power means they're rising above it.

Santon should wear his CL winners medal and stroke it infront of him.

It's mad how much his scoring record pisses on Carroll's in the same period.

That is not sure: If the defense functions, that security/confidence could spread to the rest of the team too.. I think we'll be fine this season, but there will be spells where we struggle for goals and there will almost certainly be spells where a thin defence costs us. Their tightfistedness has got us some bargains but it's cost us from having a complete team/squad. Double edged sword.

That is a very good piece from Edwards, fair play. So close to a good window, yet ultimately so far. Tightfistness/ineptitude that will needlessly cost us on the pitch this season.

I don't understand why they insist on filling up central midfield births with attackers on these type of teams.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14110039.stm Makes a 'signings XI' on the Beeb.

Looked very good allround.

I really hope he's well ahead of Shola and Lovenkrands now. Would love to see him keep on proving everybody wrong.

http://www.transferleague.co.uk/league-tables/2006-2011.html Look at that. 2006-2011 spending. Now take into account the fact Stoke weren't even in the league for 2 of those 5 seasons and add on the £22 million or so they've invested again this season. It makes them just about the highest spenders outside of City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manure. That's fucking astronomical investment, for what, 15th place last season? Granted a team that comes up from years in the CCC will have a CCC squad and will need to spend to improve more than other established sides, but come on. I don't understand why this doesn't get highlighted more.

Am I the only one who thinks Stoke should be doing better than what they are considering their spend every season? I mean Pulis gets praised for doing a good job, but seriously with the money they spend they should be doing well. Probably could start playing better football too.

Agree with every single word, Baba.

Only a year left on his deal, too. Puts the Barton and José fees into perspective...

This is coming from somebody who thought Ranger did have some raw attributes. But seriously, on reflection, Sammy showed more skill in those minutes against Scunthorpe than Ranger did in his endless chances. He actually struck a football cleanly that went into the net, too.

Shay Given is quite overrated IMO.

Deserves his squad place long before Nile Ranger, who has well and truly spurned his chance. An infinitely better attitude and actually seems to have a bit more footballing ability about him.