***SPOILERS*** Football 7 May - 10 May 2011

Don't be fooled into thinking Stoke are totally reliant on Delap's missiles, and throwing themselves into tackles etc - that was somewhat true in their early spell in the EPL, but now their established, they've added a lot more to their game - the likes of Etherington and Pennant have been reborn, and anyone with a clue who watched them destroy Bolton at Wembley, and Arsenal on Sunday would appreciate, they are a decent side.
 
An amount of technical ability and non overly physical play.

Have you for example never seen a European game and the commentators say e.g. "they would have allowed that in the EPL" (in reference to a heavy challenge).
 
sandy10 said:
Who do you support, and what's "Europe" standard?

A ring of onions round their necks and a stripey t shirt?
Click to expand...

Everton. They played very well in the PL and got annihalated in Europe for their troubles of finishing 4th. Sotke can't even manage that feat.

Teams like Man U, Chelsea and (normally) Arsenal are 'Europe quality'. Perhaps those out of Man City, Liverpool and Spurs could hold their own in the Europa League, but not many (if any) others in the Premier League are good enough.

stokecity_m said:
How many times have you seen them play?
Click to expand...

A few. Admittedly on TV, but they don't have the quality about them to compete in Europe. They will be embarrassed, like Everton where. Sorry.
 
Everton haven't managed that feat since, they overachieved as they have done for a few years under a good manager, with limited funds, and playing a bland level of football, with an emphasis of substance over style.
 
sandy10 said:
Everton haven't managed that feat since, they overachieved as they have done for a few years under a good manager, with limited funds, and playing a bland level of football, with an emphasis of substance over style.
Click to expand...

We're not talking about Everton here....

And you could be describing Arsenal to be fair.
 
I'm not sure the words Arsenal and bland, as well as the sentance "substance over style" is correct - in fact, completely the opposite.

I have no idea why you can't be pragmatic and appreciate the achievement of a smaller club establishing themselves in the Premier League.

You can't tell me Everton play a brand of football, anything other than functional and bland.
 
Dabbles said:
A few. Admittedly on TV, but they don't have the quality about them to compete in Europe. They will be embarrassed, like Everton where. Sorry.
Click to expand...

No need to be sorry, that's your opinion.

Many people predicted us to go down after our first year in the prem, many predicted us to get beat by Bolton in the Semi's ( 5-0 was the score in case you forgot) Many people predict us to Lose on Saturday , who knows.

We have improved year on year and continue to get stronger , with no worries of financial problems (even if we were to go down).

Maybe we will fail in Europe, maybe we will be relegated, but for the moment i'm just enjoying the fantastic ride that is supporting Stoke.
 
Arsenal have a limited budget and a very good manager, just like Everton, but it's horses for courses, Arsene likes the passing game, but it hasn't won them anything for a while, Moyes likes the more work-work-work game, which works for the quality of player Everton have, but they won't win anything without quality players.

Listen, I don't think it's a bad thing that Stoke have managed to get into Europe (albeit through a slightly dubious route), but don't get any ideas of grandeur that they are next going to win the thing.

Just because someone is 'criticising' your team, it doesn't mean you have to have a pop at their team in return, we aren't discussing how well (or badly) Everton have done this season. We are discussing how much of a roasting Stoke will get in Europe next season and how it could negatively affect their domestic season.
 
stokecity_m said:
Lol , another they only believes what they read in the paper :)
Click to expand...
Not really, it's an accepted practice and even United do it with Hernandez (although given his size that is more so he can pounce on loose balls). And Stoke are hardly angels when it comes to set pieces, do you remember in the FA Cup semi-final how that 'hole' in the wall appeared?
 
guyfawkes5 said:
Not really, it's an accepted practice and even United do it with Hernandez (although given his size that is more so he can pounce on loose balls). And Stoke are hardly angels when it comes to set pieces, do you remember in the FA Cup semi-final how that 'hole' in the wall appeared?
Click to expand...


I'm not saying we don't "rough" up players of even play to our strengths, but to say we can't mix it up is just daft, 5-0 at Wembley, not one from a set piece.
 
I'm kinda glad the smaller teams made the Europa League this season, even if one of them is Stoke. At least they'll appreciate the fun of European football, rather than a bunch of snotty upward-gazing snobs like Spuds and Citeh fans, who clearly think the hoi polloi of Lokomotiv Moscow and Legia Warsaw are beneath them.
 
guyfawkes5 said:
True enough, Arsenal used to be a bit like Stoke with Adams and company, and now they're, well... Arsenal.
Click to expand...

And when were they most sucessful?

You need a mixure of players.

The skilful - Pennant and ethers.
The tough - Huth and shawcross
The work hard and never stop running - Walters and wilko
The specialist - Delap
The big man upfront - Kenywne

And they need to work as a team.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom