Stoke City Story -
- Thread starter Zidave
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About 8m I think but I opted for a safe mid table promise and got about 12m.
Stoke are quite good financially & debt free
Well they were...
---------- Post added at 11:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:37 PM ----------
Cheers buddy aiming to score 7 against Sunderland this season
Stoke are quite good financially & debt free
Well they were...
---------- Post added at 11:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:37 PM ----------
Nice one mate
Cheers buddy aiming to score 7 against Sunderland this season
September Update
Most gutting thing was my laptop crashing during the 2nd game of the month when I was smashing Pompey 4-1 at home after we had beaten West Ham away. Anyway I reloaded and started the month again...
West Ham
Decent away draw.Played really well and were unlucky to be losing but at least we got a cracking last minute equaliser.
Portsmouth
Not as comfortable as the crashed game as Muniain got a last minute winner past last years cup bogey team. It was good to get one over Avram Grant as he seeked comfort in the nearest brothel.
Tottenham Carling Cup
A weakened team due to injury, suspension and fatigue narrowly lost a strangely quiet game. We did not create a chance until the 60th minute and it was no surprise when freakish beanpole striker Crouch (for once not the tallest player on the pitch) rose unchallenged (by Huth) at the back post
Liverpool
Gerrard less and with Arismendi employed to man mark Torres, we outplayed Liverpool and I was frustrated & angry not to get at least a point. Huth again lost his man at a set piece for the Skrtel goal and Torres beat the offside trap to score from a yard. I don't recall the Tuncay goal as Tevez had scored his 2nd in real life...
Blackburn
Delighted to get back to winning ways especially as Diego Renan sent off after 35 minutes for persistent fouling. However, we totally dominated the game playing on the counter and it was only a Stoke type long throw from Pedersen that caused us trouble after 94 minutes. Milevskyi - 2 chances & 2 goals - quality.
So we go into the international break in 6th and it is a mark of our progress that I am disappointed. Without my laptop overheating we could have been 3rd.
We have a difficult run of fixtures coming up now so hopefully they will be concentrating on the Champions League and we may ****** a few unexpected points.
Sandro still being a pain in the ar#e asking for a transfer every other week.
Most gutting thing was my laptop crashing during the 2nd game of the month when I was smashing Pompey 4-1 at home after we had beaten West Ham away. Anyway I reloaded and started the month again...
West Ham
Decent away draw.Played really well and were unlucky to be losing but at least we got a cracking last minute equaliser.
Portsmouth
Not as comfortable as the crashed game as Muniain got a last minute winner past last years cup bogey team. It was good to get one over Avram Grant as he seeked comfort in the nearest brothel.
Tottenham Carling Cup
A weakened team due to injury, suspension and fatigue narrowly lost a strangely quiet game. We did not create a chance until the 60th minute and it was no surprise when freakish beanpole striker Crouch (for once not the tallest player on the pitch) rose unchallenged (by Huth) at the back post
Liverpool
Gerrard less and with Arismendi employed to man mark Torres, we outplayed Liverpool and I was frustrated & angry not to get at least a point. Huth again lost his man at a set piece for the Skrtel goal and Torres beat the offside trap to score from a yard. I don't recall the Tuncay goal as Tevez had scored his 2nd in real life...
Blackburn
Delighted to get back to winning ways especially as Diego Renan sent off after 35 minutes for persistent fouling. However, we totally dominated the game playing on the counter and it was only a Stoke type long throw from Pedersen that caused us trouble after 94 minutes. Milevskyi - 2 chances & 2 goals - quality.
So we go into the international break in 6th and it is a mark of our progress that I am disappointed. Without my laptop overheating we could have been 3rd.
We have a difficult run of fixtures coming up now so hopefully they will be concentrating on the Champions League and we may ****** a few unexpected points.
Sandro still being a pain in the ar#e asking for a transfer every other week.
October
Short month with the international break and 3 out of 4 tough fixtures
Chelsea Away
Played a more defensive mentality against the League Leaders and it worked well with Milevskyi popping up with his usual goal. Withstood a late barrage.Joe Hart outstanding.
Arsenal
Started off more cautious than at home normally and paid the price with a poor 1st half. Went back to overload and totally destroyed The Gunners in the 2nd half to earn a great victory. My tough month was going better than I had dared imagine.
West Brom
Players were lucky to be let out of the dressing room in time for United away after this pathetic performance in an important "rivals match" - Hammel was still irritated by all the pointless questions in the press conferences about the special nature of rivals matches more than the game!
Man United
Twice led and twice Berbatov scored goal of the season contenders to equalise. Fair result the highlight being a Tuncay lob that reminded me of Alberts goal for Newcastle in the 5-0 against United in the 90s.
Took points off 3 of the big 4 but losing at home to The Baggies a big disappointment and they are pushing me for a Europa League place as they are 6th
Short month with the international break and 3 out of 4 tough fixtures
Chelsea Away
Played a more defensive mentality against the League Leaders and it worked well with Milevskyi popping up with his usual goal. Withstood a late barrage.Joe Hart outstanding.
Arsenal
Started off more cautious than at home normally and paid the price with a poor 1st half. Went back to overload and totally destroyed The Gunners in the 2nd half to earn a great victory. My tough month was going better than I had dared imagine.
West Brom
Players were lucky to be let out of the dressing room in time for United away after this pathetic performance in an important "rivals match" - Hammel was still irritated by all the pointless questions in the press conferences about the special nature of rivals matches more than the game!
Man United
Twice led and twice Berbatov scored goal of the season contenders to equalise. Fair result the highlight being a Tuncay lob that reminded me of Alberts goal for Newcastle in the 5-0 against United in the 90s.
Took points off 3 of the big 4 but losing at home to The Baggies a big disappointment and they are pushing me for a Europa League place as they are 6th
November & December
It's been mostly downhill since my last post with a poor run of form.
Conceding too many sloppy goals & my patience has run out with Huth.
Sandro still unsettled and my Assistant still upsets the odd player.
The ridiculous refeering decisions continue and I served a one match touchline ban. Wanted to see what happened if I moaned...
The Peter Risdale school of transfer budgets is starting to affect my finances so looking for a few January bargains & offload a few not needed players...
A decent cup run will help.
Europe looks unlikely so a top 10 finish my target.
It's been mostly downhill since my last post with a poor run of form.
Conceding too many sloppy goals & my patience has run out with Huth.
Sandro still unsettled and my Assistant still upsets the odd player.
The ridiculous refeering decisions continue and I served a one match touchline ban. Wanted to see what happened if I moaned...
The Peter Risdale school of transfer budgets is starting to affect my finances so looking for a few January bargains & offload a few not needed players...
A decent cup run will help.
Europe looks unlikely so a top 10 finish my target.
Hi mate, bouncing around between 8th and 12th so better than last years 13th finish but the early season promised so much...
Bit like Spurs in real life!
January
A good start to the month with 3 wins out of 4 and a credible draw against Arsenal.
The defence was much better without Huth lumbering about playing everyone onside.
As soon as I sold the big German to Inter for £9.5m the defence became as a leaky as that that bucket with the big whole in it the United fans are always singing about.
Out of the cup - 8 goals conceded at home in a week and no money to strengthen.
Suddenly this Stoke lark is not so much fun...
A good start to the month with 3 wins out of 4 and a credible draw against Arsenal.
The defence was much better without Huth lumbering about playing everyone onside.
As soon as I sold the big German to Inter for £9.5m the defence became as a leaky as that that bucket with the big whole in it the United fans are always singing about.
Out of the cup - 8 goals conceded at home in a week and no money to strengthen.
Suddenly this Stoke lark is not so much fun...
End of Season
Sorry about the long update was playing offline.
Finished 9th. Was in with a shout at a Europa Place but a bit of inconsistency at the end meant it was just too much to catch the Villa or Liverpool.
Defence improved after the selling of Huth, I just need a really good CB to play alongside Shawcross.
It's going to be a tough close season with 6 or 7 of my core players wanting to move onto bigger clubs.
Any advice how I can keep them when I am not in Europe?
Sorry about the long update was playing offline.
Finished 9th. Was in with a shout at a Europa Place but a bit of inconsistency at the end meant it was just too much to catch the Villa or Liverpool.
Defence improved after the selling of Huth, I just need a really good CB to play alongside Shawcross.
It's going to be a tough close season with 6 or 7 of my core players wanting to move onto bigger clubs.
Any advice how I can keep them when I am not in Europe?
Pre-Season & August
Strengthened the squad with a couple of freebies and Miles Addison for £1.1m.
I went for a Europe qualification through the League as this was always the aim for the 3rd season and got £11m transfer budget.
Unexpectedly, all the big clubs who had unsettled my players last season failed to put their money when their mouths were and none of my young stars were sold.
The only big club to show an interest in anything were Real Madrid who announced a tie up with Stoke as pictured - this had nothing to do with me.
I knew I needed to strengthen my Centre Backs so swooped for Mancienne for relegated Wigan for £7.5m as he can also play right back.
I also signed Toloi from Rubin who at 20 has plenty of time for improvements.
Huth's problem seemed to be his agility so I chose this as a vital attribute to play alongside Shawcross.
The only thing I need to do is tie down Canales on a long term contract and everything is looking good for my Euro push.
Easy start to the season against 2 newly promoted teams.
Watford away was a breeze in a totally one sided game.
It was the same against Sheffield United although the scoreline suggests a closer game.
I was too negative against Pompey who had also had a good start to the season. I was annoyed to go one down but hit back through wonderkid Muniain immediately.
Safely through to the 3rd round of Carling Cup for a tough away trip to Anfield and followed this up with a comfortable home win against a Newcastle side celebrating the departure of that *** Mike Ashley who sold to a Supporters Trust.
My wonderkid striker who came through the youth ranks is scoring for fun at all levels including pre season friendly for the 1st team!
So top of the league at the end of August but a tougher September awaits...
Strengthened the squad with a couple of freebies and Miles Addison for £1.1m.
I went for a Europe qualification through the League as this was always the aim for the 3rd season and got £11m transfer budget.
Unexpectedly, all the big clubs who had unsettled my players last season failed to put their money when their mouths were and none of my young stars were sold.
The only big club to show an interest in anything were Real Madrid who announced a tie up with Stoke as pictured - this had nothing to do with me.
I knew I needed to strengthen my Centre Backs so swooped for Mancienne for relegated Wigan for £7.5m as he can also play right back.
I also signed Toloi from Rubin who at 20 has plenty of time for improvements.
Huth's problem seemed to be his agility so I chose this as a vital attribute to play alongside Shawcross.
The only thing I need to do is tie down Canales on a long term contract and everything is looking good for my Euro push.
Easy start to the season against 2 newly promoted teams.
Watford away was a breeze in a totally one sided game.
It was the same against Sheffield United although the scoreline suggests a closer game.
I was too negative against Pompey who had also had a good start to the season. I was annoyed to go one down but hit back through wonderkid Muniain immediately.
Safely through to the 3rd round of Carling Cup for a tough away trip to Anfield and followed this up with a comfortable home win against a Newcastle side celebrating the departure of that *** Mike Ashley who sold to a Supporters Trust.
My wonderkid striker who came through the youth ranks is scoring for fun at all levels including pre season friendly for the 1st team!
So top of the league at the end of August but a tougher September awaits...
September Review
Chelsea Away
Played really well against a strong Chelsea team and after taking the lead through Muniain it was a real backs to the wall display against an attacking Chelsea side. We were robbed in the 93rd minute from a deflected Essien goal. Where did Clattenburg get the extra 2 minutes injury time?
Spurs Home
Fabulous result against the league leaders with only a last minute header making the result far closer than the actual game. My front 3 were brilliant and each scored a goal.
Liverpool Away - Carling Cup 3rd Round
Totally outplayed a strong Liverpool side with Gerrard and Torres rarely both starting together. Our passing was superb, defended well and played a weakened team. With a home tie against Leicester maybe a decent cup run is finally starting.
Blackburn Away
Similar to Pompey away in August we did not really get going until we went a goal behind. Muniain scoring his usual weekly goal in front of a host of visiting managers.
So 2nd in the league with Man Utd, Arsenal & Liverpool in the bottom half. Things are looking positive and the training facilities have now been upgraded to Top.
Chelsea Away
Played really well against a strong Chelsea team and after taking the lead through Muniain it was a real backs to the wall display against an attacking Chelsea side. We were robbed in the 93rd minute from a deflected Essien goal. Where did Clattenburg get the extra 2 minutes injury time?
Spurs Home
Fabulous result against the league leaders with only a last minute header making the result far closer than the actual game. My front 3 were brilliant and each scored a goal.
Liverpool Away - Carling Cup 3rd Round
Totally outplayed a strong Liverpool side with Gerrard and Torres rarely both starting together. Our passing was superb, defended well and played a weakened team. With a home tie against Leicester maybe a decent cup run is finally starting.
Blackburn Away
Similar to Pompey away in August we did not really get going until we went a goal behind. Muniain scoring his usual weekly goal in front of a host of visiting managers.
So 2nd in the league with Man Utd, Arsenal & Liverpool in the bottom half. Things are looking positive and the training facilities have now been upgraded to Top.
