Stoke City Story -

[Zidave]

Possible Takeover

Due to the perilous financial state of the club, the current chairman, Peter Coates, is looking to stand down and Chris Mort is looking to buy.

Due to his Bulgarian business interests he is looking to replace me as manager with this guy?!? WTF!!

Has this happened to anyone before?

I have to admit the finances don't look too clever but we should get a decent amount from Premiership & Champions League money surely...

 

[leedsunited1987]

i hope u keep ur job

 

[Zidave]

Penultimate Fixtures

Villa Away

Evenly matched contest with Villa creating more chances.
However goals from Shawcross & Bernardo seemed to have put us in a winning position at half time.
My half time team talk was outdone by O'Neill however and they really put us under pressure in the 2nd half.
Bendtner pulled one back just before the hour and we were hanging on for an important victory when Curtis Davies equalised with 5 minutes left.
This would put Man City top...

However, at approximately the same time Torres scored a dramatic late winner at Anfield to condemn City to an 8th defeat of the season and ensured we would be top going into the last round of fixtures.

Again, a late equaliser at Old Trafford meant that Man United were now out of contention and Chelsea's vastly inferior goal difference meant that they were not realistic challengers despite Ryan Babel securing a 1-0 victory.

Therefore, if I could equal against Chelsea what Man City did at home to Arsenal on the last day of the season Stoke would be champions.

Now I just need to find the screenies of the last day of the season to post the update...

 

[Zidave]

i hope u keep ur job

Hi mate, yeah so do I after 4 seasons of improvement!!
This is has been my favourite save and I would be gutted to get sacked although my reckless spending may be the cause I suppose...

 

[leedsunited1987]

maybe lol.... have u checked out my story "From madrid to Anfield"

 

[holnc01]

how do you get that much money to spend at stoke

 

[Zidave]

how do you get that much money to spend at stoke

They have no debt unlike most premiership teams so could afford transfers over 48 months.
Sandro - 48 months
Renan & Ansaldi - 36 months.
Thankfully now finished paying for them.

However heavily in debt at the end of the 4th season hence the imminent new board!!!

---------- Post added at 03:35 AM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 10:33 PM ----------

What do I do?

Right, I was playing this back on my delayed flight from Milan.
I cobbled together the last updates from the auto saves.

However, because my battery was running low I saved weekly throughout the summer months into pre season.

I cannot find the screenshot of the last game although I have the league table and end of season stats.

I have played the last game again just now.

1) Do I continue with the original save?
2) Do pre season again?
3) Does anybody care?

The top 4 remained the same but the 2nd version of events had different relegation outcome!!
I would rather QPR ended up going down which was the original outcome.

Thanks.

---------- Post added at 03:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:35 AM ----------

maybe lol.... have u checked out my story "From madrid to Anfield"

Was reading up until you got the Liverpool job.
Will read that part now although I wished you had stayed at Athletico

 

[fozzyliverpool]

This is a great story pal, I'm sure it will provide inspiration for my own Stoke story ! How did you have so much money first season?

 

[Zidave]

This is a great story pal, I'm sure it will provide inspiration for my own Stoke story ! How did you have so much money first season?

I got £8m same as you and then sold £20m.
Paid £5m for Sandro with rest over 4 years and managed to get Renan & Ansaldi over 36 months.
I may have put some down up front but not a lot.
I banked on getting into Europe quickly and thought I would always get my money back on them if not!!

I had never paid in instalments in any previous games and it's obviously worked out well so far.

 

[holnc01]

what striker do you have up front at stoke ?

 

[fozzyliverpool]

I reckon you should just continue with the save and give us any important info we have missed

 

[Zidave]

what striker do you have up front at stoke ?

Munian is my main man even though he is only 20!!
Milevskyi and Alibec (on loan from Inter but want to make permanent)
I have had Traore since the start but can't seem to get the best out of him?!?

I have a couple of regens coming through who score bundles at Under 19 & 21 level so I should be ok for the foreseeable future!!

 

[Zidave]

I reckon you should just continue with the save and give us any important info we have missed

Hi Mate, The Save Game corrupted, I think my battery ran out whilst I was saving so have had to play the last week again and do pre-season tonight..

Chelsea Home

After a week of build up with intense media interest not seen since John Terry's alleged affair in the Spring of 2010 (Bridge made it up too he mentioned after that years World Cup)

Senior players such as Tuncay and Milevskyi (only 2 I have) were rallying the troops and despite the huge game awaiting the young squad, they were relaxed and bang up for beating the Manager's 2nd favourite team.

Both teams lined up with the same diamond formation with Hammel's tweaked Complete Dominance the acknowledged better tactic.
This was reflected in the pre match odds of Stoke evens, Chelsea and the draw 11-5.

Stoke lined up without the out of form Munian and Tuncay missed out to James Rodriguez.
The only other change was at right back where Diego Renan was covered by Mancienne.
Shawcross filling in for Mancienne's usual centre back berth.

The only goal of the game was scored by the Romanian loanee Alibec on 9 minutes which pumped up an even more vociferous crowd and calmed the nerves of everyone involved, not least the Manager.

The rest of the game was very even with no clear cut chances created and Stoke troubled the woodwork on only 1 occasion.

Tuncay came onto a standing ovation in what could be his last appearance at The Britannia.

Arismendi came on with a minute to go to kill a bit of time.

Therefore the unlikely end of season outcome is

STOKE CITY PREMIERSHIP CHAMPIONS

Whilst I was confident of a good season my expectation was possibly a Carling Cup so this exceeded this massively.

In the other game to decide the title Man City and Arsenal contested an epic 4-4 draw!!!!

I know hope the off field speculation regarding possible take overs is resolved quickly and allows me to keep my job & plan for the defence of Stoke's 1st ever League triumph!!!

 

[Zidave]

End of Season Awards

Footballer of the Year

1) Ashley Young
2) Bernardo 11 goals & 15 assists.
3) Rooney

Players Player of the Year

1) Iker Munian 15 goals & 11 assists
2) Rooney
3) Stephen Ireland

James Rodriguez picked up the Players Young Player.

Glenn Whelan got the 2nd best goal of the season (he don't score many but they do fly in from 30 yards when they do)

Inevitably, I won Manager of the year!!

Bernardo and Munian made the starting 11 of the team of the year.
Milevskyi and Alibec made the bench!!

 

[Zidave]

I should ****** well think so too.
Thanks Chris for the vote of confidence!!

I hope it's not the Chris Mort (pictured) and his fat idiot mate or I will be playing at The Blacks Outdoor Wear Stadium next year...

 

[Zidave]

Probably the least deserved Champions League victory ever.
Yes, Mourinho still in charge!

How the **** did real not score against 9men?!?

 

[Zidave]

I have moved quickly to secure Rodriguez and Alibec on permanent deals for £15m and £7m respectively.
Both over 48 months to be financed by the increased ground capacity, the end of the purchases of Sandro, Ansaldi & Renan and obviously loads more trophies!!!
I am also paying Whitehead 8.5k a week which ends this month.

I have also sacked Peter Reid and looking to bring in a new assistant & goal keeping coach.

 

[Zidave]

Pre Season & August

Transfers

I had already bolstered my midfield with the free transfer signings of Gourcuff from Bordeaux, Defour from Standard and Mbia from Marseilles.
Last season loan stars James Rodrigues and Denis Alibec were signed for £15m & £7m respectively early in the summer.
3 more signings followed.
Cattermole on a free from Sunderland which gave an embarrassment of riches in midfield.
Otamendi was signed for a club record £32m to improve the defence. The deal is financed over 48 months so continued success is a must for the financial well being of the club.
I had my eye on explosive striker Yannis Tafer from Lyon and he joined on a season loan for £3.3m.

Lots of reserves were released who would never make the grade.
Tuncay left on a free transfer as Gourcuff, Rodrigues, Canales & Verratti are deemed sufficient attacking midfield options.
Tom Soares & Andy Wilkinson raised some transfer funds leaving for Leeds & Villa for £2.8m and £3m.
Lacina Traore who has never impressed consistently turned down a £11.5m move to Zaragoza so I have too many strikers for the season ahead.

Pre-season

3 wins & 2 draws was a decent pre-season in the run up to Stoke's 1st appeareance in The Community Shield.

Community Shield

A typical Summer day as drizzle and 9c temperatures welcomed the teams to Wembley.

Steven Defour was the only debutant in the Champions line up against Villa.

An even game in which Stoke just shaded the possession and chances created.
Wonderkid Iker Muniain won the game with a 3rd minute winner in an average game which Stoke won 1-0.
Another trophy in the cabinet.

Birmingham Away

A hard fought but ultimately comfortable 3-0 opening day victory for the Champions aided by a red card in the 1st half for a vicious foul by Cicinho.
Muniain scored a quick fire double on the hour and Dennis Alibec scored a 3rd just before full time.
Defour and Cattermole made their debuts. Gourcuff had picked up a serious injury for France in midweek and would be out to Christmas. Thank god we have 4 players in that position.

QPR Home

Diego Renan returned after 4 months out with a broken foot.
A much changed team with Verratti playing at the tip of the diamond.
QPR stunned the home crowd with a 3rd minute opener to take the lead.

However Milevskyi, Bernardo, Alibec and the exhausted sub Muniain sealed a comfortable victory.

Watford Away

A strong Stoke side could not break down a stubborn Promoted Watford team despite creating many chances.
Disappointing.

Middlesbrough Home

Back to winning ways with record signing Otamendi making his debut and looking solid.
James Rodrigues ran the show scoring 2 and winning the man of the match award.
Sergio Canales scored a placed shot just after half time to secure the points.

Stoke lead the early season table.

Tough away draw against Spurs (again) in the 3rd round of the Carling Cup.

Roma, Zenit & Benfica face us in the Champions League.

Muniain won young player of the month.

 

[BigBoss85]

I am a Stoke fan, just caught up with the story. Great job.

I am going to start a game with my beloved stoke today and see how my game compares to yours.

We play today in the 6th Round of the FA Cup, predictions ??????

 

[Zidave]

I am a Stoke fan, just caught up with the story. Great job.

I am going to start a game with my beloved stoke today and see how my game compares to yours.

We play today in the 6th Round of the FA Cup, predictions ??????

This has been my favourite save in a long time.
Thanks for the feedback.

Just about to leave to go to the game. I reckon it will be tight.
You will miss Shawcross I am sure but we have Hilario in goal & our defence is still dodgy on set pieces. I reckon Delap will cause us problems. I think Chelsea will win but 2-1 would be a good result. You?