Interesting set of signings. I rate Davies and Lindsay, obviously, but Lee Gregory, Jordan Cousins and Nick Powell seem very much like the definition of expensive but mid-table signings, especially with them all having come to the end of their contracts. Feels a bit like they're going to be spending an awful lot on wages but have no overall plan in place, and are signing anybody who they've vaguely heard of and looks OK. It's a pattern we've seen repeated by quite a few of the so-called 'big clubs' over the past five years or so. We've even done it ourselves with the likes of Leroy Lita and Keith Treacy. Then again, I'll admit I don't really know much about any of the three which didn't come from Barnsley, and Nathan Jones has form in bringing together a team. It just strikes me as an oddly uninspiring set of signings for a team that you'd presume will be aiming for the playoffs.
I think it's an attempt to reduce the wages bill. They still get plenty through the turnstiles so cash flow shouldn't be too much of an issue. I would imagine they have a fair bit of debt however.
I can't work out if Stoke are being very astute bringing in players who aren't costing a large amount in transfer fees but could do a decent job, or if there is almost resignation they aren't likely to bounce back before parachute payments lapse. Never been sure about Powell, but Gregory is a decent signing on a free. Strongly fancying Millwall to struggle losing Gregory and Morison who they've relied on for years (no dig at Bradshaw, hopefully he's recovering well from his injury, just that Millwall have had a very productive strike partnership for a long period.)
Thought the same to myself yesterday. It doesn’t look as though they have much of an interest in getting back to the Premier League any time soon. I fancy our chances of finishing above them..
Some teams look ***** during their relegation from the Premier League. Sunderland and Huddersfield first sprang to mind. Then there are Swansea and Stoke. They all seem to sign players on a merry go round basis. Lower Premier League to Championship quality. Problem with that is unless the said player is driven they've already made their money at a relatively young age and are content to just to pick up their wages.
As I said on another post. Some owners seem to be giving up the ghost of competing in the premier league. I think they're ok with not making money, but want to cut their losses. All those players will be on better money than their previous clubs would or could pay, but not as much as top championship players.
Nick Powell. Bit of an enigma. Keep him fit and motivated and he's up there with the better attacking talent in the division.
Lindsay saying in the Stoke Sentinel he's joined a massive Club. I don't know about that, but it's only what you'd expect him to say really. Stoke are in talks with 33 year old Stephen Ward of Burnley. He's been looking round their facilities today.
He's mistaking having spent time in the prem with being massive. Prior to getting into the prem they didn't get big crowds, then voila! 10,000 glory hunters jumped on it. Will be interesting to see how their attendances hold up if they spend a few more seasons in the championship.
They have signed a handful of good British pros. Guys who know Football in this country really well and don't need time to settle in. I expect them to finish higher than last season. At least with a top half finish.
I was always a bit surprised they lasted in the premier league as long as they did. I guess Pulis knew how to grind out results. I think they’ll be a championship club for a while now.
As I've mentioned before , if stoke get off to a bad start the fans could turn . Accuse the board of lacking ambition , signing players from lower champ , upper league 1 . Depends on how " keeping up appearances " they ve become since their recent success.
He’s only in his early 20’s. To someone like Lindsay Stoke’s probably bigger than many clubs a 40 year old would think are bigger as they’ve been in the Prem for more than a decade.
Fair point Django. There's no doubt going back as far as the Mathews era, Stoke have an illustrious past. So do Sunderland Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City, but at this present time in all honesty along with Stoke, even given their levels of support, none of the forementioned are what you could truly call big Clubs. Last season Wednesday were 12th on 64 points ,Stoke finished 16th on 55 points and Birmingham 17th on 52. Fair enough, like us Stoke have added new players in addition to Davies and Lindsay, so they are an unknown quantity. We will have to wait and see, but It could transpire that Lindsay may have made a mistake by leaving, especially if we manage to finish above Stoke in the table, which I hope does happen.