Southampton 1-1 Stoke City

One all draw with Southampton not a bad end to a season of two halves.

Now the clear our begins…Higgy, Delap & Big Mama all free to leave; Owen retires; Whitehead, Pennant, Carlo Nash & Matthew Lund all out of contract; Matty Etherington off according to his dad/agent; Palacios off too and that useless lump Maurice Edu. Biggest changeover in playing staff for a long time.

Methinks Brek Shea will be off after the recent pig shenanigans…

Big Q over Mr Pulis, will he stay or will he go? He has a meeting with the Board this week. John Rudge gone as well as the backroom staff gets a big shake up.

QPR 0-2 Stoke City

A nervy away win but a vital three points, that all but relegates QPR. Peter Crouch opened the scoring and Jonathan Walters got the second from the penalty spot. Sadly Marc Wilson went off injured with his hamstring again and may miss the Norwich game and beyond. Need another win/three points from the remaining four games – come on Stoke!

Elsewhere Port Vale got promoted, well done to them and they will need to keep hold of Tom Pope & hope he can score at a higher level. Brentford may also be going up in a very tight finish in Division One, a play-off place is guaranteed.

Sad to hear of the passing of former player Paul Ware. Enjoyed watching him playing and he thrived in the Lou Macari years. Sad loss and only 42, no age at all. RIP

Stoke City 1-3 Aston Villa

Oh dear…an awful performance against a team who should the sort of fight and resilience we should have had. Kenwyne Jones started to the delight of many supporters and Etherington started, although was subbed at half-time. Sadly his best days seem behind him now and his old wing partner Jermaine Pennant doesn’t even make the bench. When we needed goals strange to have Michael Owen on the bench, yet again not used.

We are  now in a relegation battle with 34 points on the board (only 5 points this year to date!) and I can only see 4 points maximum from our remaining six games:

Man Utd (H) loss

QPR (A) loss

Norwich (H) win

Sunderland (A) loss

Tottenham (H) draw

Southampton (A) loss

Hope 38 points is enough, although worst case I’d say 35 points with a draw against Norwich and five more defeats.

Whatever happens, so long Pulis and thanks for all the memories…

Michael Owen retires and Pulis considers his options…

Been a long time since an update as my enthusiasm for watching Stoke has waned like many other fellow Stoke fans. We have the worst form for 2013 in the Premier League and even though we currently have 34pts we are not safe yet. Last weekend’s ‘thrilling’ nil nil draw with West Brom at home highlighted that we lack finishing despite having three strikers on the pitch for most of the game.

Off the pitch the press have been reporting on the growing fan discontent, although despite the ‘Daily Mail’ report it seems Pulis isn’t going. Mind you come the summer this could be a different story as he may ‘consider his options’ and leave under his own steam. If he does stay two definate summer departures are Michael Owen who announced his retirement from football at the end of this season. Hopefully he will get another run out for us. A strange signing and I guess it spoke volumes that we were the only Premier League club to show any solid interest in signing him last summer.

Jermaine Pennant looks to have kicked his last ball for Stoke as he is out of contract at the end of season and he doesn’t even feature in the match day squad. A cracking player if he is on form but his off the field antics let him down at every club he has been at.

Dave Kemp is off on a eastern European scouting mission this weekend. Fans still recall with misty eyes the last signing we made based on his scouting…Diego Arismendi!

Fulham 1-0 Stoke City

I bet Sky loved having the live rights to this feast of mediocrity… Fulham deserved to win and as for us we really need to change something. Come the summer Tony Pulis should perhaps go or get a more assertive assistant manager a la Peter Reid. The current incumbent Dave Kemp is only really remembered for bringing us Diego Arismendi, who disappeared as quietly as he came. Still newboy Brek Shea got a chance as Etherington went off injured early on. Oh and Michael Owen was injured again, a real mystery of a signing as he’s hardly played and there is talk we are looking at the possibility of offering him another year!

Something isn’t right at Stoke at the moment as certain players aren’t firing on all six; we have Jermaine Pennant kicking his heels seemingly never to play for us again; players all playing in positions they are not used too, although to be fair that is a Pulis tradition!

Matthew Brunt is on loan at Southend Utd and can look forward to a Wembley trip with them, whilst Mama Sidibe has joined Tranmere on loan.

West Ham at home and lose this one & the fans could really turn on Pulis & co.

Stoke City 2-1 Reading

Stoke took a two goal lead thanks to a Huth bullet header and another superb Cameron Jerome strike, although it was close as Reading are the comeback kings and a sloppy conceded goal nearly saw them snatch a point.

We have 33pts and not far from the magical 40pts safety barrier, although this season it could be lower around the 33-34pts mark. A weekend off now as we play Fulham away on Saturday 22nd Feb with a 12:45pm KO.

Brek Shea has his work permit and looks like a cross between a surfer and the Foo Fighters’ drummer Taylor Hawkins! He’s a big lad as well and once fully up to fitness should be a good signing based on his footballing career to date.

We still have one spare spot in our current 25 man squad in case Pulis can land another player on a free transfer. Not much out there though, although Salif Diao is still listed as a free agent. Can he play left back

Arsenal 1-0 Stoke City

We held out to the 78th minute and due to our lack of defenders on the bench we has three strikers come on as subs! Michael Owen may face some FA action for appearing to his Arteta, otherwise we were defending and attacking on the odd break.

All is not well though for us as Pulis seemed downbeat in post-match interviews over the lack of transfer action. It does seems slightly reckless to let our defensive cover – Matthew Upson - leave on loan and not replace him. Also we are edging nearer the bottom, just seven points away now and it makes the Reading home game next week a massive one. Mind you on Reading’s current form expect us to take a 1-0 lead into the 80th minute and they come back to win 2-1.

Transfer deadline day saw us sign the very promising and highly rated goalkeeper Jack Butland, who was loaned back to Birmingham for the rest of the season. His arrival would seem to indicate Begovic is off in the summer, most likely to Man Utd. We could also see Sorenson leave as he is after regular first team football. The other new boy is US international Brek Shea (cue tabloid Redy Brek puns) who plays on the left wing and could be our left back in a month or so once he is ‘Pulis fit’.

Leaving on loan for the rest of the season were Matthew Upson (Brighton) and Rory Delap (Barnsley). Looks to be Delap’s last time at Stoke as he is out of contract in the summer unless we offer him a coaching role. A latter day Stoke legend and hopefully we can keep him at the club in some capacity.

Bye bye Edu

Maurice Edu has left Stoke today to join Bursapor on loan for the rest of the season. US international Edu joined us in the summer as a free transfer from Rangers but has only made one subs appearance.

Swansea have had a £3m bid for Kenwyne Jones turned down as they seem set to lose Danny Graham to Sunderland (a player we have been rumoured to be interested in).

No firm links to incoming players to Stoke although with Edu of the books we have at least one free space in the 25 man squad.

Jermaine Pennant is back at the club after a loan spell at Wolves. Tony Pulis says he will sit down with Pennant to discuss what happens next. Big Mama is also due back off loan at Sheff Wed, although he may go back on loan with them for the rest of the season.

Andy Wilkinson is a doubt for Saturday’s game at Swansea, otherwise no new injury concerns although the weather may have a say!

Stoke City 0-4 Chelsea

Our fine unbeaten home run came to an abrupt end as I feared it would against Chelsea, who were smarting from midweek defeat to Swansea in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg. Mind you we did it style with two own goals from Jon Walters! But we will bounce back as we are Stoke, just a shame we seemed to roll over in the second half…

Next up Crystal Palace at home in the FA Cup 3rd round replay…

Michael Tonge has joined Leeds Utd following a loan spell; Pulis has hinted he may use loan players if Jones or Pennant leave.

Man City await in the FA Cup 4th round

If we manage to beat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round replay we face Man City at home in the next round. Oh dear not a team we do well against, still home advantage could be crucial as we seek revenge for the FA Cup final defeat.

Crystal Palace 0-0 Stoke City

Oh dear…pants display from us as Michael Owen (and judging by his display finished!) started along with Peter Crouch. Sorenson started in goal with Whitehead starting in midfield and Shotton replacing Wilkinson. We lacked any real goal threat and were lucky Palace seemed as bad as us at finishing. Still we are in the hat for the fourth round draw and Pulis will be the happier manager with a replay on Tuesday 15th January.

Transfer wise Owen is linked with a move to Australia, unlikely as his family is settled in the north west and his racehorses are nearby.

Ryan Shawcross signs new 5 1/2 year contract

Hot on the heels of the Robert Huth penning a new contract our captain Ryan Shawcross has signed anew 5 1/2 year contract. What a great piece of news and he is a key defensive lynchpin along with Huth for us.

Tony Pulis said in his press conference today that Michael Owen would travel with the squad to Crystal Palace. If Owen doesn’t make the bench on Saturday I can’t see him staying much longer.

Rory Delap was also confirmed as still out with an injury, possibly up to 3-4 weeks.

Man City 3-0 Stoke City + Higginbotham leaves

Oh dear not a great performance and we have still yet to scire a goal at Man City’s ground since returning to the Premiership four years ago.

Danny Higginbotham has left on a free tarnsfer to Sheff Utd who have signed him until the summer with a view to extended the deal. He has been a great player for the club but he wants regular football and the last time he played for us was back in December 2011. Good luck to him.

Next up Crystal Palace in the FA Cup 3rd round…

Stoke City 3-3 Southampton

Coming from 3-1 down at HT Stoke showed their spirit again with a wonder strike from Cameron Jerome for the last minute equaliser. With Shawcross and Geoff Cameron serving one match bans we had starts for Ryan Shotton and Matthew Upson. We were not the best at the back with a Wilkinson own goal but we got a well deserved point. Man City on Tuesday and then Crystal Palace away in the third round of the FA Cup.

Transfer rumours hotting up with the Daily Mail reporting Shawcross to Man City; Michael Owen going Espanyol on loan is a Twitter rumour and Blackburn’s Martin Olsson is back on the Pulis radar.

Stoke City 3-1 Liverpool

What a result! Superb play by Stoke with Kenwyne Jones starting again and Michael Kightly in for Shotton on the wing. Jones scored one with Jon Walters getting the other two. We started shakily with Shawcross booked early on and Gerrard scored from the penalty and shortly after Geoff Cameron was booked but Stoke dug in and played attacking football. Plus with two wingers starting – has Pulis been on the sherry trifle??? Etherington had a good game and Whitehead didn’t get booked.

Next up Southampton at home on Saturday and we need to keep playing like this.

Tottenham 0-0 Stoke City

A cracking away point with Ryan Shawcross and Begovic commanding the defence. Kenwyne Jones started again and nearly scored in the opening minutes, before making way in the second half to Cameron Jerome. Good to see Ryan Shotton play well again and thoughts & best wishes go out to Charlie Adam who missed today’s game on compassionate grounds as his dad passed away this week.

Still no firm news on Shawcross signing a new contract but we need to get him signing ASAP

Stoke have overhauled the backroom staff with John Rudge leaving at the end of the season and Sam Ellis has left the club this week.

Michael Tonge, currently on loan at Leeds Utd has been hinting he’d like to sign permanently for Leeds as his contract is up at Stoke in the summer.  No news as yet on whether Jermaine Pennant will extend his loan at Wolves past January.

Stoke City 1-1 Everton

Both goals came from Stoke players with a Shawcross own goal before Kenwyne Jones equalised. Everton’s Fellani headbutted Shawcross and will get a ban once the video is reviewed. The ref didn’t spot this and Everton were lucky to still have eleven men on the pitch. Another useful point and Spurs away next.

Still Shawcross hasn’t signed his new contract and Pulis hinted he may weigh in to get it signed.

Aston Villa 0-0 Stoke City

Mmm not a great advert for football

West Brom 0-1 Stoke City

Our first away win of the season and another West Brom who we have a good record against. Dean Whitehead got our winner, a rare goal from him as Jones started instead of Crouch, plus Edu made the bench as Cameron Jerome injured himself in warm-up. Three wins on the trot and above Arsenal not to bad at all!

Stoke City 2-1 Newcastle Utd

Late Stoke fightback as we went 1-0 down but goals from Jon Walters and Cameron Jerome saw Stoke seal three points and drop Newcastle right in the doo doo. Attacking substitutions by Pulis saw Cameron Jerome and Michael Kightly come on, who along with Kenwyne Jones sealed a win.

Peter Crouch will miss the West Brom game due to losing three teeth and Kenwyne Jones looks set to start in his place. Both Michael Owen and Andy Wilkinson are available again after injury and it will mean Cameron Jerome starts on the bench again, possibly alongside Owen.

The club have terminated Diego Arismendi’s contract by mutual consent. Never really played much for us and the last time we let Dave Kemp go scouting in South America…

Stoke City 1-0 Fulham

Another three points and the Tony Pulis binary season continues

Fulham’s manager Martin Jol says we were almost like a rugby team…just like he is almost a decent manager. Geoff Cameron played at LB with Ryan Shotton at RB and he had a decent game.

Charlie Adam scored the winner and Stoke should have put away a few more chances. Newcastle up next in our first midweek game of the season and maybe a start for Kenwyne Jones?

Mama Sidibe goes on loan

Mama Sidibe has gone on loan to Sheff Weds on a month’s loan as the loan transfer window for Football League clubs closes today.

Ryan Shotton looks set to start against Fulham on Saturday at left back and possibly Michael Owen will make the subs bench. If not Edu or Ness will be on the bench instead.

West Ham 1-1 Stoke City

At last a Stoke game I could get to! Fair result overall as first half we played very well including a lovely goal by Walters. Second half not so great as we cleared the ball straight to West Ham players and invited pressure on us.

Good to see Palacios come on and he made some decent passes plus a good game from Ryan Shotton coming on for the injured Wilkinson in the first half. Crouch had a poor game as did Adam, with Etherington playing better than off late but sadly not a ninety minute player anymore.

Next up Fulham at home, followed by Newcastle at home, both games we need at least a point from each.

***Update: Seems Wilkinson has tweaked his groin and will be out for a fortnight.

Stoke City 1-0 QPR

Not a great game but Charlie Adam’s winner (his first for us) gave us three vital points and moved us nicely into mid-table. Etherington started although Kightly replaced him in the second half. Geoff Cameron and Steven N’Zonzi continue to impress but perhaps time to drop Walters for the West Ham game.

Diego Arismendi appears to have left the club according to some reports. He has hardly played for us and famously upset his neighbours when he first arrived due to the loud music he kept playing into the early hours of the morning.

Tom Soares has signed for Bury after a less than successful short spell at Portsmouth.

Rumours that Cameron Jerome is set to join Leeds Utd on loan, although this must hinge surely on Michael Owen being fit?

Norwich 1-0 Stoke City

Not a great performance and with QPR next at home you do wonder how we will get on… We need to get two wingers on the pitch and drop Walters or go good old 4-4-2 as we need to score. Charlie Adam I am sure will come good but having a five man midfield is not helping us at the moment.

Stoke 0-0 Sunderland

This game had draw written all over it given both teams are the cuurent PL draw specialists. The biggest blow though was losing Marc Wilson with a broken leg. He will be out until at least January and here’s hoping he is back sooner as he has been a key player for us. Andy Wilkinson is likely to deputise in Wilson’s absence and we are looking for a left back in the January transfer window – one area we failed to reinforce over the summer.

Norwich wil be a tough away game especially as they beat Tottenham  in the League Cup. We could see Matthew Etherington start after some impressive appearances as a sub although I can’t see Pulis dropping Walters.

This week also marks ten years since Tony Pulis first arrived at Stoke, a move that ddin’t please many of us fans at the time. But ten years on and in his second spell I’d say he was the best manager I’ve seen at Stoke since I started supporting them back in the mid-70′s. In Pulis we trust

Man Utd 4-2 Stoke City

Despite taking an early lead with a Wayne Rooney own goal Man Utd won through. Michael Kightly scored for us after never giving up on his run at the Man Utd defence. Good to see us attack away from home and Wilson Palacios even got a run out late on!

Next up Sunderland in a welcome home game for once…

Jermaine Pennant off on loan

Jermaine Pennant has signed on loan for Wolves for three months today. There have been rumours he has fallen out with Tony Pulis but he has kept his own counsel on Twitter and fair play to him. Damn shame as he would work well with Crouch and Owen I am sure.

WIN tickets to see Stoke City v QPR

Simply like this page and post for a chance to win two complimentary tickets to see Stoke City vs QPR at the Britannia stadium on Sat 10th Nov. Closing date 28th October. Thanks to Stoke City and good luck!

http://www.facebook.com/GreatSouthRun2012Stokieboy

It’s all to help spread the word on my three runs (two down and the Great South Run to come on 28th October) this year to raise funds for Children with Cancer UK.
http://www.justgiving.com/stokie2012

Ryan Shawcross for England!

About time as Ryan Shawcross gets selected for the England squad to face San Marino and Poland. Oh to see Arsene Wenger’s face when this was announced Sadly no place for Peter Crouch which is surprising given that Andy Carroll is coming back from injury and his excellent goalscoring record for England.

Liverpool tomorrow – come on you rip, roarin’ mighty Potters!