Stoke should be our Role Model

[JeanD]

People like Wenger hate them but Pulis has done a marvelous job. Over the last couple of years you can see the difference in calibre of players that thier Premiership status has attracted compared to us. Much better team than the team that went up, they get labelled as hoofers but the skill level of their game is underestimated.
The way forward for us now is to use our extensive first hand knowledge of the Championship to focus on homegrown talent ambitious for the move up.
Graham at Watford is a perfect example but I am sure there are others too, all will be clearer when the playoffs are sorted.

[Mellowhoop]

People like Wenger hate them but Pulis has done a marvelous job. Over the last couple of years you can see the difference in calibre of players that thier Premiership status has attracted compared to us. Much better team than the team that went up, they get labelled as hoofers but the skill level of their game is underestimated.
The way forward for us now is to use our extensive first hand knowledge of the Championship to focus on homegrown talent ambitious for the move up.
Graham at Watford is a perfect example but I am sure there are others too, all will be clearer when the playoffs are sorted.

Completely agree. Stick with your manger through the bad form too. Stoke will be in the prem for a long time

[Stuieang]

Took words right out of my mouth, was just looking at their squad & Bolton & Fulhams & these teams havent gone OTT with wages & transfers etc but hold their own nicely in the Prem with Stoke this year in cup Final Fulham last year in Uefa final....We should use these teams as a stepping stone....Consolidate in 1st season...bulid on that for 2nd season etc...Fans that ive seen say we should push for Europe need to i think take a rality check......lets gets established 1st

[paulmason]

100% agree and are a perfect model to work on where they have got bigger and stronger year on year in the PL. No players bigger than the team/club, no players on lottery contracts and no player gives less than 100% week in week out and although people slate them for whatever reason, they play decent footie and actually made Arsenal look a tad daft last week. I also think Gerry Francis has a bit to do with their work ethic.

[Scarlet pimple]

I concur.

[californiahoop]

Took words right out of my mouth, was just looking at their squad & Bolton & Fulhams & these teams havent gone OTT with wages & transfers etc but hold their own nicely in the Prem with Stoke this year in cup Final Fulham last year in Uefa final....We should use these teams as a stepping stone....Consolidate in 1st season...bulid on that for 2nd season etc...Fans that ive seen say we should push for Europe need to i think take a rality check......lets gets established 1st

nuff said

[80sCasual]

So get a guy who can take long throws and play hoofball, yeah that'll really bring in the fans.

[Stuieang]

So get a guy who can take long throws and play hoofball, yeah that'll really bring in the fans.

So if it got you to a cup final YOU WOULDNT GO?

[QPR's Number 10]

Would hate us to be buying players like Huth, Jones, Faye, Carew etc. Just big lumps who you hoof the ball up to and see what happens, them sort of players are useless.

[tetters]

Would hate us to be buying players like Huth, Jones, Faye, Carew etc. Just big lumps who you hoof the ball up to and see what happens, them sort of players are useless.

I think he's getting at more the procedural route Stoke have taken to secure their place in the top flight as opposed to the substance of the players they've brought in. I agree with both of you, Stoke have done it the right way bringing in players that suit their team and are of decent calibre but not so big that they won't fit the mould. I wouldn't want to see us playing hoofball i agree.