Stoke Game

[The Great Mass Debater]

The first 2 yrs in the PL were amazing watching us giving established PL teams a bloody nose. However, we the fans knew that we had to evolve to become more established.

Our away performances were mind numbingly boring to watch as we tried to suffocate the opposition, only to concede a goal and have no back up plan

Sounds very very familiar...

 

[splutcho]

If they have 7 players who would walk straight into our XI, then does that mean we have 4 who would improve their XI? 

Been dwelling on this a little, by making an XI with those 7 players in it, we'd have no Redmond in the team? Yet people on this forum have been valuing Redmond at £30m this week, and when he leaves (probably next summer), I doubt Stoke could afford him, Liverpool/Arsenal/Spurs much more likely. 

If we chose the best players from Norwich and the best players from Stoke, what would the XI be? It would seem odd to pick 4 Norwich players without choosing either one of Redmond or Hoolahan. 

Not exactly what I was saying. I meant one at a time. However, those 7 could probably squeeze into a team including Redmond anyway.

 

[stokie]

Fat Cat and Canary or Coach and Horses are both ten mins walk from the ground. Both are " home " pubs but you should be absolutely fine in either. Where are you staying ? Just so you're aware, we should be having a minutes silence or applause before the game as Sandy Kennon who used to play in goal for us died yesterday.

We are staying opposite the Angler but I can't see us supping in there as it's nowt special. Probably have a look at the other 2 that you've mentioned though. We've always had a good night out in Norwich. Good fans and a hassle free trip.

Sorry to hear about Sandy Kennon. There will be no worries with our fans failing to show full respect though. Displays like that unite fans across the country.

 

[splutcho]

It used to be that the Angler was the away pub but I was in the Nelson a week or so back and it was full of  Palace fans.

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

http://www.teamtalk.com/premier-league/9954651/Aston-Villa-s-Adama-Traore-says-Lionel-Messi-is-his-role-model

Surprised Stoke didnt get this lad if they were genuinely interested considering the other ex-Barca players

 

[Beauseant]

It used to be that the Angler was the away pub but I was in the Nelson a week or so back and it was full of  Palace fans.

The Nelson (the bar in the Premier Inn for your info Stokie) has always had a mixed crowd simply because se many away fans actually stay there and there are never any issues.

Plenty of real ale in Norwich as its a student City but I'd agree on the Fat Cat and the Coach and Horses. The latter has its own micro brewery too and produces some great ales. Its a five minute stroll from the Premier Inn/ Nelson.

 

[dutchstokie]

I would agree on Jerome. I thought he was a second-rate signing when we brought him in, having never really rated him - but I had my opinion totally changed by his performances last season and I have every faith he can be effective for us at this level. if we didnt sign the much talked-about 'new striker' I wouldnt care - I think Jerome is capable of being what we need him to be this season, Id only be concerned if he got injured.

I have to say its hard to shake the opinion I have of Stoke from the Pulis days, but I am aware you've undergone quite the transformation (even though I've not personally witnessed it) so will be interested to see how you guys play

Ex-pat Potter here in peace.....

When Jerome was with us, personally I think he got the s****y end of the stick from Pulis, coming on mainly for cameo sub appearances. On saying this, he scored some vital goals for us which warranted certainly consideration for a start.

Hughes has transformed us beyond recognition and with some solid signings behind us, another top 10 finish would be good with a decent cup run to boot.

Hope you guys do well this season...apart from Saturday obviously haha

Prediction - a tough 1-1 draw

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

I think Stoke have a difficult job on in shaking the general football worlds opinion. You will have watched the team develop, but most people wont be aware - we know only too well how often teams like ours are dismissed as people dont pay too much attention outside of the bigger clubs. Norwich and Stoke arent dis-similar in that the cities they represent are a bit of a mystery to the average fan (and I say this as someone born in Staffordshire whose Mum is from Newcastle under Lyme, whose Mum and Dad both used to work in Meir Tesco, and whose aunt could see the Britannia stadium from her house!)

Stoke did brilliantly to stay up in the first place and this was due to the successful approach Pulis had. Unfortunately Stoke became famous for a physical style, and most fans will think of Stoke roughing up Arsenal when asked about the club.

As you say though after becoming established in the division you've been able to move away from that style and you've made some impressive signings. Eventually people will notice Stoke are no longer what they were, but old habits die young and think it will take some time. Looking forward to seeing your style of play

 

[Beauseant]

Old habits die young? B)

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

Its ok to kiss nuns you know, as long as you dont get into the habit...

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

Old habits die young? B)

Doesnt make much sense really does it? A quick google shows that Im not the only one to have this phrase mixed up! But you're quite right, should be 'old habits die hard' and 'only the good die young'    Must be Chinese Whispers or something. Though that little idiom might itself be a whole can of worms...

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

Our language is full of this stuff isnt it. Im not surprised English is such a hard language to learn. Worms? Que?

 

[It's Character Forming]

Did we really pick up Jerome for £1.5m or is my memory playing tricks ?  Because IMO without Jerome, we wouldn't have been promoted.  So that signing was pretty good value !

 

[Beauseant]

Our language is full of this stuff isnt it. Im not surprised English is such a hard language to learn. Worms? Que?

That's what makes it so much fun. Apparently that one originates from the 50s when you could buy cans of worms for fishing in the US.

 

[hogesar]

Stoke look a good team now and play some good stuff. On top of that, some consistent seasons in the PL has given them the finance and positioning in the football world to make some really good signings.

 

[eatonparkboy]

The Nelson (the bar in the Premier Inn for your info Stokie) has always had a mixed crowd simply because se many away fans actually stay there and there are never any issues.

Plenty of real ale in Norwich as its a student City but I'd agree on the Fat Cat and the Coach and Horses. The latter has its own micro brewery too and produces some great ales. Its a five minute stroll from the Premier Inn/ Nelson.

We held my brother's wake in the Fat Cat by Nelson Street a couple of months ago. It's my nieces local. Not much to look at but an impressive array of beers. I got the first round in and after about 30 different drinks with strange sounding names I ordered myself my usual pint of the black stuff and the landlord looked at me as if to say "why am I bothering!".

But with a long session ahead I didn't know how long I could hold on with some of their ales.

Haven't had a session in Norwich since the night before we left in 1974. And in those days you didn't stay in one pub, you went to many different ones.