Given the self inflicted wound of the summer transfer window and two displays in the last week which had too many uncomfortable reminders of the Cardiff City of 24/25, I honestly can’t see any other result than a Stoke win tonight.
However, although all of the anger and despair I felt about the Three Amigos after our relegation has returned following the inertia and complacency shown throughout the window being topped off by nothing happening after the Sheffield United game to maintain the promotion momentum and feelgood factor, I must say that I’m still glad they’ve not gone down the Stoke City route this summer.
The single most surprising thing for me about the Championship summer window has been the huge net spend by Stoke. I’m not convinced by the accuracy of this table, (did we really spend close to £8 million?), but I can definitely believe the Stoke figure
For me, such spending means Stoke have to be promoted this season even if you accept that the new financial rules for this season gives all clubs a bit more room for manoeuvre when it comes to spending budgets. Home wins over Norwich and Charlton while we were performing so limply at QPR and Portsmouth makes that possibility a bit more likely after three straight losses to start things off, but, despite all of the spending, it seems to me that there are enough stronger squads in the division to make promotion for the Potteries side a real long shot and, if they’re in the Championship next summer, what happens to them then?
On to the quiz with its questions dating back to the sixties – I’ll post the answers on. here tomorrow.
60s. A Devonian well suited to the old position of wing half, he had a pretty fearsome reputation as a player. Stoke were his fourth club (he also guested for a club which featured the name “Stokers” while with the Potters) with the second and third ones being sides that became familiar with winning trophies in the fifties and sixties. After finishing his playing career, he worked as Assistant Manager to someone who was in the same job for a decade. When the manager resigned, the employer assumed our man had done so as well, but he kept on turning up for work and eventually he was sacked. He then claimed unfair dismissal and, with backing from the former manager, won his case. Who am I describing?
70s. As a teenager, he was Stoke’s top scorer during a First Division season when he scored over 20 per cent of all of the team’s league goals, who is he?
80s. Should a nan be used in Stoke’s midfield at that age? (4,6)
90s. Friend in Yorkshire?
00s. Sounds like a male animal with pustules!
10s. Which Stoke player from this decade has twin sons (he also has twin daughters) who played against each other in age group international football?
20s. Petty officer at the back?
