Stoke City 1-0 Sunderland

The Ginger Ninja scores again! Dave Kitson bagged the only goal of the game from a Liam Lawrence assit with debuts for new signings Tuncay and Robert Huth (who is massive, Boro fans called him the Berlin Wall).

Uruguayan midfield destroyer Diego Arismendi has passed a medical and if he gets his work permit should join us next week. Sunderland defender Danny Collins could also be signing after both clubs agreed a fee.

Pulis has stated he wants four more new players before the transfer window closes on 5pm Tuesday 1st September. Arsimendi and Collins look set to be two of these with rumours of Man City’s Petrov, Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham) and Gary O’Neil (Middlesboro) among the names being banded about on the Oatcake and Teamtalk MB’s.

Huth and Tuncay sign

Stoke have signed two Middlesboro players – German international defender and former Chelsea player Robert Huth along with Turkish international Tuncay. Both are excellent signings and Tuncay really shows we mean business, well done Pulis and co.

Peter Reid is the new assistant manager although for now he will still be in charge of the Thailand national team.

Another possible signing is Sunderland defender Danny Collins. Surely if he signs players like Sonko, Dickinson and Cort will be moved on? Just hope its not Shawcross going…

Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones was the subject of a rejected £10m bid from Stoke. He has played for us previously back at the start of his career when he briefly joined us on loan from Southampton.

Birmingham 0-0 Stoke City

Birmingham 0-0 Stoke a valubale away point but not a great game by all accounts. Peter Reid is set to be Pulis’s number two and hopefully a couple of new players this week. Not Dean Ashton though as he is set to retire due to his dodgy ankles al…though fellow Hammer James Collins could still sign. Sunday paper rumour is a £12m bid for Slumberland’s Kenwyne Jones!

Still no new signings…

Seyi Olofinjana has left Stoke to join Hull for £3m just over a year since we signed him from Wolves. Not a great player for us but good luck to him apart from when Hull play us

Plenty of rumours but bar Dean Whitehead we have added no new first team players. The Dean Ashton saga rumbles on and we have been linked with Boro duo Gary O’Neil and Robert Huth although O’Neil looks Everton bound. Doubt we will see any new players by Saturday’s big kick off against Burnley.

Gerry Francis could be bringing his buffont back to the Brit as a coach after a successful spell last season and Brian Kidd is the latest name for the vacant assistant manager post.

Dean Whitehead signs on a four year contract

Former Sunderland captain Dean Whitehead today signed for Stoke on a four year contract for £3m rising to possibly £5m with extras. Good signing IMHO and will add some good back-up for midfield.

Hopefully West Ham’s Dean Ashton is signing on Monday and we have been linked with Fulham’s Danny Murphy as a possible player/coach, Man Utd’s Torin Tosic on loan and former Liverpool defender Steve Finnan. Blimey how things change from a couple of years ago in the players we get linked with.

St Pauli 3-1 Stoke City

Stoke City are now in their Austrian training camp and played their first of two friendlies earlier this evening and it was another defeat. But some good news as Dave Kitson scored!

No new signings as yet although Sunderland’s Dave Whitehead and West Ham’s Dean Ashton are the signings most likely according to the Oatcake ‘in the know’ posters.

Transfer news

As Wolves sign their sixth new player of the summer (mind you Greg Halford formerly of Sunderland would hardly set the Wolves fans pulses racing) Stoke have yet to sign a new player. But hopefully this coming week will change that as the Oatcake MB and its regular posters with club contacts have hinted we could see two new players (Kevin Nolan of Newcastle Utd could be one of them) and maybe a couple depart (Dave Kitson seems most likely to be first out the door).

Pre-season training starts on Thursday 9th July followed by our first friendly against Newcastle Town on Saturday - be nice to see a few new faces by that game.

Transfer rumour mill…

The transfer rumour mill swings into overdrive especially over on the Oatcake MB where various posters claim to have insider info or have heard from a friend of the tea lady’s second cousin a player rumour. Below are a few more likely rumours although as ever knowing Tony Pulis he will sign a couple of players no-one had on their radar…
Incoming…

Cisse for a record fee keeps being mentioned. Would be a good signing but he is very similar in style to Fuller plus he tends to go missing in the later part of the season as he did at Sunderland.

Peter Crouch currently at Portsmouth, although can’t see this happening myself.

Villa’s Steve Sidwell is ‘99%’ according to some on the Oatcake MB. He did very well whilst at Reading but lost his way at Villa, hopefully he would be better unlike fellow ex-Reading player Dave Kitson.

Long term Pulis target Joe Ledley at Cardiff is again doing the rounds especially as the player is refusing to sign a new contract.

Two Newcastle players being linked with us are Kevin Nolan (bet he’s glad he left Bolton in January!) and Alan Smith. Yes please to Nolan but no thanks to Smith, he is past his best now.

Last season’s loanee Stephen Kelly looks set to sign permanently from Birmingham where he is currently third choice right back. Good signing provided we don’t pay too much for him. UPDATE 16th June – Kelly has today signed for Fulham.

Outgoing…

Former captain Andy Griffin is being linked with another of his former clubs, Newcastle although any move would be some way off as Newcastle are up for sale, managerless and haven’t even arranged any pre-season friendlies yet. Newcastle defender Bebe may come in the other direction which would be a brilliant piece of business if it goes ahead. I’d be very surprised if Griffin is still at Stoke come August.

Thomas Sorenson has been the subject of rumours of a possible move to Bayern Munich although he did tell the ‘Sentinel’ recently he was happy at Stoke and had no plans to leave the club. Certainly hope he stays as he proved the best signing last summer out of Fulop and Carson.

Matthew Etherington maybe heading back down south possibly to Fulham as apparently he hasn’t settled well. I hope he does stay as although he failed to score and has not proved a massive hit yet give him a full pre-season and I am sure he will prove his worth.

Michael Tonge is linked with a few clubs but again given a decent pre-season, he should along with Danny Pugh and Tom Soares give us some decent squad cover in midfield.

Although not linked with any clubs yet Carl Dickinson is my bet for leaving the club as he can’t seem to break into the match day squad.

The summer transfer rumours are in full swing

Man Utd’s Paul Scholes to Stoke? That’s what amny papers are saying today a couple of days after the Oatcake MB first had rumours of this possible signing. If he did sign it would be as a player/coach.

Man City striker Ched Evans for £2m reckons the Guardian – he has mixed reviews but at 21 has room to improve and is streets ahead of Pericard.

A young goalkeeper as well is in our sights apparently with former Stokie Ben Foster now at Man Utd, on a season long loan one name. The other is Coventry City’s Westwood.

Cisse is again linked with Stoke and the Metro has us and Pompey after Everton striker Yakubu. Now that you could see as he has been crocked for most of this season and we do like our recovering crocks at Stoke.

Arsenal 4-1 Stoke City

Good job we didn’t need points to stay up today. At least Fuller got us a goal.

Newcastle went down as the four teams threatend with relegation all lost today. Middlesboro join Newcastle and West Brom in the Championship next season.

Rumour time is upon us again and Man Utd’s Paul Scholes to Stoke? Well that’s one doing the rounds on the Oatcake MB. Doubtful as I’d expect he stay on as a coach or go to Oldham, Man Utd’s retirement home for old players. Sunderland’s on loan striker Cisse is another possible signing and he would be more likely of the two.

Bye bye Pericard and thanks for nothing…

The summer transfer changes start at Stoke as Vincent Pericard is given a free transfer. One of the worst players I have seen at Stoke for many years and he won’t be missed. Port Vale here’s your new summer signing…

Players coming into Stoke? Well the rumour mill goes into overdrive over the summer and already players like Liverpool’s Ryan Babel is being linked with a season long loan. Despite mixed reviews from Liverpool fans he’d be a hit at Stoke I am sure.

Dickinson & Soares go out on loan

Defender Carl Dickinson has joined Leeds Utd on loan whilst midfielder Tom Soares looks set to join Charlton, who are currently in a relegation fight in the Championship.

Tony Pulis hopes to bring in one more new player before the team jet off for a week in Dubai after Saturday’s game against Chelsea. French defender Jean Calve seems to be top favourite on the messageboards although Dindane and Joe Ledley are also thought to be on Pulis’s wish list of new signings.

One deal that did fall through was a loan deal for Charlton striker Andy Gray who wanted to stay in London. Not a player to get the fans excited but at least it could have seen Pericard go the other way.

James Beattie signs for Stoke

Stoke completed the signing of Sheff Utd striker James Beattie for £2.5m rising to possibky £3.5m with add ons. Great signing and Sheff Utd took a hit as they signed him from Everton just over 18 months ago for £5m.

Pulis is still looking to add more players with rumoured targets being Cardiff’s Joe Ledley, Lens striker Aruna Dindane and Nancy right-back Jean Calve. Plus Diatta is still on trial with the club and maybe offered a contract – there would be no fee as he has been without a club since last summer.

Possible depatures could include Lewis Buxton, currently on loan at Sheff Wed and he could make his move permanent. Maybe some squad players may go out on loan as well like Carl Dickinson or Michael Tonge.

Stoke City 0-0 Liverpool

A good result for us and we may even have won it had Kitson managed to convert his chances. Etherington had a good debut although as Tony Pulis said in his post-match interview he is some way of the fitness levels expected at Stoke.

Sheff Utd striker James Beattie is the subject of a transfer bid but it seems it may not happen either a) a dispute over the pay off he is due from Sheff Utd or b) his wage demands. He would be the highest paid player at the club if he signs. Hopefully we will get a definitive yes or no so we can move onto other targets like Harewood and Camara.

Sunderland duo on their way to Stoke?

As Sunderland look set to sign four Tottenham players’ rumours are we may finally land long term target Marton Fullop plus fellow Sunderland player Dean Whitehead maybe following him to Stoke. The Daily Mail reports today we have bid £6m for Fullop alone which seems very high especially as keeper Scott Carson (capped by England as well) signed for West Brom last week for around £3.5m. Maybe closer to the truth would be a £6m joint bid for both players?

Blackburn’s Aaron Mokoena has been linked recently with Stoke although again this could be just paper/agent talk.

Stoke last 1-0 last night against FC Nurnberg in Austria where the club are currently on a week long training camp. Next friendly is against Bahrain.

Four Stoke players out at other clubs

Demar Phillips is on trial at League One Oldham with a view to going on a season-long loan. Striker Adam Rooney, who scored during Stoke’s 3-0 friendly victory at Newcastle Town, is going on a week-long training camp with Scottish Premier League side Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Defenders Ritchie De Laet and Ryan Shotton are both at League Two side Bournemouth with views to loan moves.

Stoke are in Austria for a week now and play two friendlies over there. Former captain Dominic Matteo is in the twenty man squad over there as he is on a pay-as-you-play contract and may well get another year’s contract if his pre-season goes as well as last summers. Rudolph Austin is not with the squad though as he awaits his work permit outcome.

As for our next signings? Teamtalk seem to think the Fulop deal is close and possibly Anthony Gardner arriving soon from Spurs.

Stoke back out signing Carson with Fulop & Kitson lined-up

Stoke have officially pulled out of signing Liverpool keeper Scott Carson. Carson has also held talks with West Brom whilst Middlesboro and Blackburn have also been linked by various media sources. Instead it looks increasingly likely Pulis will try and land long term keeper target Marton Fulop from Sunderland. TeamTalk seem to suggest Fulop is a done deal along with Reading striker Dave Kitson, both of whom TeamTalk expects to sign for Stoke tomorrow. Kitson was missing from two friendlies this week due to ‘a heavy cold’ and Reading’s official site expects him to be back in contention for the friendly against MK Dons on Saturday…unless of course he is on route to Austria with his new team mates

More paper talk linking us with West Ham’s Hayden Mullins and the Daily Mail again mentioned us tracking Ipswich’s Jon Walters.

Austin at pre-season training

Stoke were back at pre-season training yesterday and the only new face was possible signing Randolf Austin who according to Tony Pulis on Sky Sports News(SSN) was still a long way off from being signed. Begs the question thjough why his current club let him train with us? Fomer captain Dominic Matteo was also at training as he is currently without a club amd may even get a contract from Stoke like he did last year after training for free during the summer.

Anthony Gardener is apparently ‘fuming’ after Tottenham turned down our £1m bid for him. Like the proposed move for Marton Fulop it has all gone quiet. The ongoing saga of Jon Walters maybe come clearer tonight as he is expected to play for Ipswich tonight at Brentford. UPDATE – both the player and Jim Magilton say Stoke have made no approach for the player.

David Nugent has stated he is staying put – obviously wants to kick about in the reserves and not the sort of player we want at Stoke. Meanwhile Carlo Nash has reported back for pre-season at Wigan although he forms no part of Steve Bruce’s plans but Stoke have not made any approach for him following a successful loan spell at the end of last season.

Stoke along with Sunderland, Blackburn (although Robbie Fowler looks set to sign for them), Man Utd and West Ham, are the only Premier League clubs yet to make a signing. Hull have been busy although not sure Bernard Mendy or Geovanni will be enough to keep them up. Hey are also close to signing Middlesboro’s George Boetang, a better signing in my humble view and a player who would be good in our team. Fulham look set to sign West Ham’s Bobby Zamora, a long standing Pulis target but it looks like the player wants to stay within London.

Transfer rumour round-up…

Transfer watch…below are players we have been linked with and are still possible signings. Over on the Stoke MB’s the fans are getting restless as we have still signed no new players whereas Hull and West Brom have been busy so far in the transfer market (albeit in West Brom’s case mainly signing last season loan players).

Liverpool’s  SCOTT CARSON is still getting the nationals in a tizzy with the Daily Mail describing Stoke as “anxious” to sign the Liverpool player, while the Northern Echo claimed Tony Pulis was now looking elsewhere for a keeper after having a second bid for Sunderland’s MARTON FULOP rejected.

MARTON FULLOP (Sunderland) the player is certainly keen to join us but the sticking point seems to be over his fee which may scupper the deal. Hope we do get him though as he would be a first class addition.

JON WALTERS (Ipswich Town) possibly keen on a move to be nearer his North West roots plus the attraction of Premiership football. Local press though see this move as unlikely unless a large bid comes in for the player.

DANNY HIGGINBOTHAM (Sunderland) Our former captain is being linked with us and is apparently very keen to return. But will Stoke fans welcome him back?

JERMAINE PENNANT (Liverpool) linked on the Oatcake MB recently.

DIEGO MILITO (Real Zaragoza) linked with a season long loan with us according to the Liverpool Echo although Everton remain favourates to land him.

LEE McCULLOCH (Rangers) seems to be staying at Rangers for now.

ANTHONY GARDNER (Tottenham) was the strongest possible signing a fortnight ago but all gone quiet since and today’s Guardian says Spurs would offer him as part of a deal to sign David Bentley from Blackburn so maybe this deal is dead?

DANNY GABBIDON (West Ham) rumoured last week but all gone quiet now.

RANDOLPH AUSTIN Jamaican utility player who we tried to sign last summer but failed over work permit issues and again this seems to holding things up again. Will he ever sign for us?

DEAN WHITEHEAD (Sunderland) a couple of mentions in the press and then nothing.

THOMAS GRAVESEN (Celtic) would certainly add experience but as one Celtic fan said ‘he gets out of puff tying his shoelaces’ – possibly his best days behind him?

ROB HULSE (Sheff Utd) ex-Crewe player who Pulis has been after before but bar a few rumours not much else on this possible move.

DAVID NUGENT (Portsmouth) seems unsettled at Pompey and with Peter Crouch’s imminent arrival he could be off soon. Hull are also linked (as they seem to be with any player we go after!).

EMILE MPENZA (Man City) Hull has been linked with him and to be honest they are welcome to him!

MARLON HAREWOOD (Aston Villa) seems happy to stay at Villa and fight for his place.

…Stoke players and ex-Stokies on the move…

RUSSELL HOULT left Stoke in the summer and has signed with Notts County where he was on loan last season.

DOMINIC MATTEO has been told he can train with Stoke whilst he looks for another club and maybe he will sign for us on a monthly contract/pay as you play?

The svelte like JON PARKIN has been linked with a move to Bristol City but maybe too far from his beloved Barnsley?

MARLOON BROOMES released by the club this summer has joined Blackpool.

JAMES O’CONNOR has swapped Burnley for Sheff Wed.

MARTIN PATTERSON has left Scunthorpe to join Burnley.

Fulop bid rejected and pants Man City striker linked…

West Ham defender DANNY GABBIDON is a target for Tony Pulis, according to the website TEAMtalk.com. It claims the Stoke City manager is ready to make a £2m bid. Meanwhile Man City’s out of contract striker EMILE IMPENZA has been linked to us but frankly he seems pants and LEE McCULLOCH would be a safer bet.

Our £1.7m bid for FULOP has been rejected by Sunderland although Stoke are expected to up their bid.

Hopefully this week Stoke will confirm their first signing(s) with ANTHONY GARDNER, RANDOLPH AUSTIN and FULOP all rumoured to be close to signing. Pompey’s DAVID NUGENT is getting a few mentions on the Oatcake fan message board. He has never really shone at Pompey but did well at Preston and could join our Preston Ex-Pats club which currently features Fuller, Pugh and Cresswell!

LEWIS BUXTON has been linked with a move away from Stoke with Notts Forest and Derby supposedly interested.

One ex-Stokie on the move is JAMES O’CONNOR who has signed on a free with Sheff Wed after leaving Burnley. Joining Burnley is former striker MARTIN PATERSON from Scunthorpe.

Stoke launch bid for Fulop

Stoke have made a seven figure bid for Sunderland’s Hungarian international keeper Marton Fulop. Remains to be seen if the bid will be accepted but hopefully Fulop will be joining us this summer. The Sentinel reports we have competition over our ongoing signing of Randolph Austin with clubs in Brazil and USA also interested in signing him.

The Daily Mirror has us linked with former Everton and current Celtic midfielder Tomas Gravensen and Rangers striker Lee McCulloch is again mentioned as a possible target for Tony Pulis.

No Berger for Stoke

Tony Pulis today told the Sentinel former loanee and Aston Villa player Patrick Berger won’t be joining the club despite plenty of rumours suggesting he would. He ahs now signed for Sparta Prague.

Liam Lawrence in an interview in yesterday’s Sentinel hinted that no new signings would arrive until after Euro 2008. Dominic Matteo, just released by the club, has been told he can join pre-season training whilst he looks for another club.

That doesn’t stop the rumours though! Man City’s Sun Jihai is another rumour although hopefully not as his best days are behind him and he is injury prone. Tribal Football are linking us and Preston with Rangers defender David Weir. Aston Villa stiker Marlon Harewood is another potential target and his agent, ex-Fail player Phil Sproson, has confimrmed Stoke have enquired about Harewood.

Ex-Stokies on the move could include James O’Connor released by Burnley joining Sheff Wed…Russell Hoult, recently released by Stoke, seems likely to join Notts County on a permanent basis following a successful loan spell last season…finally it comes as no great surprise that Michael Ricketts is without a club again.

Matteo and Broomes released by Stoke

Dominic Matteo has been released by the club. The former Leeds and Blackburn player has been hit by injuries of late but full credit to him as he trained and played for free with Stoke during last summer’s pre-season before being offered a one year contract and has been a positive influence in the dressing room. Also heading through the exit door are young midfielder Rob Garrett, last seen on loan at Wrexham, goalkeeper Russell Hoult who was on loan at Notts County and Marlon Broomes.

Wigan manager Steve Bruce has stated he won’t stand in Carlo Nash’s way should we wish to sign him. All hinges on the Tony Fullop situation.

Pre-season fixtures are out…

According to the Daily Mirror Stoke have offered Patrick Berger a 12 month contract following his free transfer from Aston Villa. Berger has had a loan spell previously at Stoke and he proved a hit with the fans and would give us options down the left wing.

Meanwhile a few rumours linking us with Lille’s Rafael Schmitz who was on loan at Birmingham. Stoke are supposedly trying to agree a season long loan with the player.

Pre-season fixtures…

10^th July players report back for training

18^th Newcastle Town (A)

W/c 21^st July Austria

29^th July Notts County (A)

2^nd August Shrewsbury Town (A)

16^th August The Premiership season starts!

Some big games there then! But match practice is always vital in pre-season and the teams we play will doubtless want to get one over a newly promoted Premiership club.

Leroy Lita on his way to Stoke?

Stoke have been linked with Reading striker Leroy Lita in a rumoured £4m bid. Former loanee Shola Ameobi is now being linked with Middlesboro and he definitely won’t be signing for us now as he is ‘homesick’ for the north east.. Not much else happening transfer wise nor has the retained list been released by the club with a few players soon out of contract.

Tony Pulis has confirmed Stoke will do a pre-season tour of Austria in July today on BBC Radio Stoke.

The Championship play-off final should be good with Hull City romping past Watford last night to face Bristol City. Either club I’d like to see promoted but push comes to shove Bristol City as Hull’s manager Phil Brown keeps making snide comments about us.