Welcome Edu and expect a flurry of transfer activity next week?

Maurice Edu of Rangers has signed for us subject to work permit. He’s done well at Rangers although as usual the Fantasy Football Stoke fans are bemoaning his signing before the lad has kicked a ball for us. Welcome Edu and hope you do well for us!

Also they moan over transfers but they take time and in the case of Tom Huddlestone we have to make sure the club don’t get shafted if he got injured. Look at Aston Villa last season with Jermaine Jenas, he was injured went back to Spurs but Villa still had to pay his wages. The Huddlestone loan deal could still happen next week though.

Who else in next week? I think Michael Owen looks more likely although as  a free agent he doesn’t have to sign by deadline day next Friday August 31st. Defoe could be one but unlikely I’d have thought but as we know with Pulis he pulls a few surprises like Crouch last season and Cameron Jerome, although he may be off?

Fuller, Edu & Huddlestone

Ricardo Fuller has signed for Charlton after being released by Stoke. One of the best players I have seen play for  us and good luck to him.

Spurs Tom Huddlestone could join us on a season long loan, a good signing if it comes off. Not so good would be Maurice Edu from Rangers. Err no thanks…

The Goran Popov deal could be back on as he has a Bulgarian passport and would need a work permit.

Michael Owen saga rumbles on, seems him signing for Everton were good old Twitter rumours. Could be a deadline day signing? Mind you as he is a free agent he can sign for a club at any time.

Kenwyne Jones is linekd again with Aston Villa. Seems he will leave as he doesn’t seem to feature in Pulis’s plans.

Cameron a Stokie and get well Huth

Geoff Cameron has had his work permit approved and can now play for us. A great signing and like fellow newboy Jamie Ness can play in a variety of positions. Michael Kightly is set for  medical today ahead of his move from Wolves. Good work Stoke in getting three players in before the season starts. There will be mroe comings and goins you can be sure of that, possibly even Polish trialist Sebastian Boenisch may be offered a contract?

Stoke drew 1-1 with Yeovil Town with Kenwyne Jones getting Stoke’s goal headed on by Boenisch.

Get well soon Robert Huth who has suspected meningitis.

Torquay Utd 1-1 Stoke City

Matthew Etherington got the Stoke goal as we fielded a Polish trialist left back Sebastian Boenisch who played for nearly 70 minutes and could be signing for us on a free?

Get well Huth who Tony Pulis revealed at tonight’s game is in hospital with a virus.

Kightly next to sign? Owen next?

Stoke drew 1-1 in their final game against Kansas in the US with Pulis keen to go back to the USA next summer. Geoff Cameron is training with the squad and has his work permit appeal this Wednesday (8th August).

Stoke play at Torquay Utd tonight with Yeovil Townnext up.

Wolves Michael Kightly could be poised to sign as both cluibs have agreed a fee for him. If he signs he may feature in the Torquay game.

Michael Owen may be a Stoke player by the end of the week if some rumours are to be believed.

No news on any outgoings although the Sentinel today hints Matthew Etherington could be temoted back to West Ham, especially as now his best friend in football James Collins (a former Stoke target) has moved back to West Ham from Villa.

Stoke beat Orlando & Cameron’s permit hearing date

Stoke beat Orlando 1-0 with a goal from Jon Walters although Glen Whelan was sent off. Hopefully this will be rescinded otherwise he will be set to miss our new season opener at Reading.

Geoff Cameron’s work permit hearing is set for August 8th, hopefully we can get his permit sorted and he can join the squad back in the UK.

Seems we have had a big for Wolves Michael Kightly rejected and Michael Owen to Stoke rumours won’t go away!

Elsewhere Andy Carroll looks set to join West Ham on loan as Defoe swaps Spurs for QPR, who made a cracking signing in Blackburn’s Junior Holliet.

 

Farewell Collins…hello Cameron

Danny Collins completed his move to Notts Forest for a fee of around £400,000. Meanwhile Geoff Cameron has joined the squad in Orlando after he agreed personal terms and just needs his work permit approval now. We also fought off late interest from West Ham and Everton.

Wolves Mike Kightly could be the next signing? He would seem a better bet than fellow team mate Matt Jarvis who seems to be too expensive. Striker wise Spurs Defoe and Liverpool’s Bellamy are rumoured to top targets.

Stoke’s summer in’s & out’s:

IN

Jamie Ness free (Rangers)

Geoff Cameron £1.6m (Houston Dynamo)

OUT

Danny Collins £400K Notts Forest

Andrew Davies free Bradford City

Jonathan Woodgate free Middlesboro

Ricardo Fuller released

Salif Diao released

Lewis Moult released

Tom Soares released

 

Collins to Forest?

The Telegraph’s John Piercy on Twitter has revealed Danny Collins is close to agreeing a deal to join Notts Forest. Good luck to him if he goes as I can’t honestly see him playing again for us bar maybe in Carling Cup games.

The squad are currently in the US bar Jermaine Pennant who would not be granted a visa based on his recent court appearance over his driving offences.

Geoff Cameron’s proposed move to us is now down to personal terms and work permit approval.

Michael Owen is still the bookies favorate to join us as it seems Everton have dropped out of the picture. I am pretty sure we will spend less this summer especially after chairman Peter Coates said we need to be prudent with our transfer dealings.

Two off on loan and Nash signs for another year

Matthew Lund has gone on loan to Bristol Rovers and Florent Cuvelier looks set to join Walsall on loan, both will be until Christmas. Meanwhile, Carlo Nash has signed a new on year contract, great news as he provides ideal cover.

Geoff Cameron’s proposed move seems to be mired in Major League Soccer (MLS) red tape. Hopefully he can sign for us but the fee offered seems to be a sticking point at present.

No other firm transfer news just lots of speculation although Michael Owen looks set for Everton and there is no news on Kenwyne Jones leaving the club.

Team back for pre-season with one new face…

The team are back for pre-season training and you can see photos here on the official website. Jamie Ness joined his new team mates and possibly he will be joined soon by Geoff Cameron. Otherwise its all rumours regarding new signings and the Michael Owen rumour is still going strong. Tony Pulis is apparently already in Switzerland where the players will head for a game against FC Sion on Thursday 19th July.

Woodgate joins Boro; Ness delayed and Cameron next in?

Jonathan Woodgate has joined Middlesboro on a three year contract after his contract with Stoke expired. Good luck to him but three years???

Jamie Ness is expected at pre-season training on Thursday as Stoke have taken the transfer to FIFA to rule on.

Geoff Cameron’s, possible move looks still to be on and could be concluded next week.

We have inquired about Blackburn’s Martin Olsson who would be a cracking signing, especially at the rumoured £3m price tag.

Kenwyne Jones looks set to join West Ham an ideal Big Sam forward if ever there was one!

Ness in, Woodgate out?

Jamie Ness has agreed a four year contract with Stoke, subject to international clearance. He joins from Rangers on a free as Rangers are no more and have come back as newco for now. Only 21 and has good reviews from Rangers fans. Question is will Pulis use him in the squad this season or possibly loan him out for a few months? Either way welcome to Stoke and he looks a great prospect.

Meanwhile, possible rumours that Jonathan Woodgate may not sign the one year contract he has been offered. Carlo Nash has also been offered a one year contract but according to his Twitter updates is looking for another club.

No movement on Matthew Upson joining Southampton and hopefully we can keep him, as he performed well each time he was called upon last season.

US defender Geoff Cameron may join the team on their US tour, although again no real movement on his one.

Strange that Fuller has not been snapped up yet, although Ipswich Town are interested.

Geoff Cameron Stoke bound?

Stoke are apparently in talks to sign and bring over centre half Geoff Cameron (although he can also play in midfield), who currently plays for Houston Dynamo in the US. Some US football press already seem certain he could be a Stoke player as early as next week.

Michael Owen looks set to play in Dubai next season. Not overly bothered if we miss out on his signature as his recent injury problems would make him a big gamble but if he did sign what a quality asset we would have.

Davies to Bradford and Fuller next?

Andrew Davies has signed a one year contract with Bradford City, where he had been on loan. Davies joined from Southampton in our first season on the Premiership but has hardly played for us and seemed to be one of the bulk squad buys we made upon promotion a la Soares and Tonge.

Another out of contract player Ricardo Fuller is supposedly in talks with Ipswich Town as he has been rumoured to have only been offered a one year deal by Stoke.

Danny Higginbotham in today’s Sentinel states he wants to play more in his remaining year of his contract and if this doesn’t happen this may mean a move away from Stoke. Would depend a lot on the futures of Woodgate, Danny Collins and Matthew Upson plus any new players coming into the club over the summer.

 

Stoke play two US pre-season games

Stoke have announced two pre-season fxitures to date:

July 24th Columbus Crew (Crew Stadium, Columbus) 12.30am,

August 1st Sporting Kansas City (Livestrong Sporting Park, Sporting) 1.30am

So looks as though the traditional pre-season Austrian training camp may have been dropped this year.

No news on the futures of  out of contract players yet although some former Pulis targets have now become free agents like Emile Heskey, Paul Scharner and Nigel EReo-Coker.

Gutted Peter Crouch didn’t make the England team but at least I can follow Ireland (Whelan/Walters) and Denamrk (Sorenson) now for Stoke related players.

Diao and Upson on their way out?

Salif Diao has turned down a coaching offer at the club as he wants to carry on playing, so expect him to leave in the summer when his contarct is up. He has been a loyal servant for the club and good when called upon, if a tad rash with his tackles.

Southampton are keen on signing Matthew Upson in the summer even though he still has a year to run on his contract. He may stay though if we don’t keep Woodgate and Danny Higginbotham joins Notts Forest.

Other players out on contract in the summer include Tom Soares, Andrew Davies, Big Mama, Ricardo Fuller (although he has been offered a one year contract) and Carlo Nash.

Matthew Jarvis of Wolves has been lined with us and would be a good signing, especially if Jermaine Pennant leaves in the summer as rumoured.

Ben Marshall and Danny Higginbotham leave

As expected Ben Marshall has signed for Leicester for a fee of £750,000 with add-ons. He was out of contract in the summer and despite the offer of a new contract seems he had made his mind up to leave.

Reports that Danny Higginbotham has gone on loan for the rest of the season to Notts Forest.

No-one seemingly signing for us on deadline day which is a tad worrying as we have let Higginbotham go on loan.

Stoke City 0-0 Aston Villa

It’s a point and that’s the highlight of a dire game

No Fuller on the bench so only presume he’s being saved for the weekend game against Wigan?

Transfer rumours have both Pennant and Jerome supposedly wanting away but of more concrete fact is that Danny Pugh will sign for Leeds Utd where he has been on loan, provided the two clubs can do a deal. Danny Collins could be staying at Ipswich Town and if we are really lucky Bradford will take on Andrew Davies

Stoke City v Liverpool team news

Possibly Stoke starting line-up:

Begovic

Huth Woodgate Shawcross Wilson (or Wilkinson if not fit)

Pennant Whitehead Delap Etherington

Crouch Walters

Subs from: Soronsen, Wilkinson (or Wilson),  Upson, Whelan, Jerome, Jones, Shotton, Arismendi

 

Whelan and Jones are likely to be rested after international duty and I am sure Crouch will start against one of his former clubs.

 

Palacios supposedly not fully fit yet after recovering from a  knee injury and Diao is still injured, along with recovering from injuries Fuller, Big Mama and Higginbotham.

Transfer news: Danny Collins looks like being the first fringe player off on loan to either Ipswich Town or Notts Forest.

It’s all Spurs – we face them in the cup and two of their players could be Stoke bound…

Stoke have drawn Spurs at home in the 3rd round of the Carling Cup. Also it apperas Wilson Palacios has all but signed on the dotted line for us, whilst Peter Crouch could also be a Stoke player come early next week. More here over at Teamtalk

An offer for Crystal Palace’s teenage striker Zaha was made on Friday, with interest still in Man City duo Shaun Wright-Phillips and Craig Bellamy (go on Pulis use your Welsh charm on him!).

Dicko to Watford – Jerome to sign?

Carl ‘Dicko’ Dickinson has today signed for an undisclosed fee with Watford. A key player in our promotion season he has never quite made the step up to the Premiership and has been on loan to Barnsley and Leeds Utd in past seasons. Good luck!

Meanwhile incoming could be Brum’s Cameron Jerome, although Scott Dann looks unlikely despite renewed interest from us. Peter Crouch was rumoured to have been at last night’s match but lets face it he is hardly small and would have been spotted by more than a couple of Stokies in the 27,000 crowd.

Stoke City 1-0 Hadjuk Split Europa League Qualifying Rd 3

An early Jon Walters goal plus keeping a clean sheet could prove vital for next week’s away leg. Huth is our first player booked in the new season and Ryan Shotton came on as a striker sub! Shows what few options we have on the bench in attack minded players.

Transfer rumours have gone quiet again although Talk Sport reckon we have Owen Hargreaves on trial. Chances are the clowns on that radio station are confusing us with West Brom, who had him on trial but decided not to sign him.

Aldershot Town 1-0 Stoke City

Second defeat in 24 hours for Stoke as Tony Pulis changed the whole starting line-up from the Brentford game.  It meant starts for Jonathan Woodgate and Thomas Sorenson plus Ryan Shotton and Tom Soares up front! Tony Pulis’ son and former Stoke player, Anthony was in the Aldershot team.

Sonko watch: he’s been handed a trial by his former club Reading.

Newcastle Town 0-6 Stoke City

A fair romp against our non-league neighbours with goals from Kenwyne Jones (2), Jermaine Pennant, Glen Whelan, Jon Walters and trialist Robert Stambolziev, who is from Greece and has had a fair few trials with other clubs.

All quiet on the transfer front although Bolton’s Matthew Taylor is West Ham bound. Peter Crouch is a possible target with a rumoured £10m bid.

Newport YMCA 1-6 Stoke City

An easier game for a second string Stoke side with Ben Marshall and Diego Arismandi amongst the scorers and Ryan Shotton playing up front!

The Carlton Cole deal has fallen trough but Bolton’s Mathew Taylor could possibly sign this week.

Friendly wise we have Newcastle Town on Wednesday, Brentford away on Friday and Aldershot Town away on Saturday.

Hajduk Split in the Europa League qualifier

Stoke take on Croatian side Hajduk Split in the 3rd qualifying round of the Europa League. Tough tie for us and we play at home first on 28th July with the away game on 4th August.

Stoke take on Newport County tomorrow in a pre-season friendly.

Carlton Cole’s possible move to us seems to have fallen through although Brum’s Cameron Jerome could sign for us next week according to Sky Sports . Bolton’s Matthew Taylor continues to be linked with us as well.

Former player Eidur Gudjohnsen looks set to sign for his former boss Big Sam now at West Ham.

Jonathan Woodgate signs for Stoke

Former Spurs/Leeds/Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodagte has signed a one year deal with us. It’s based on pay-as-you-play due to his injury record plus a basic wage. A good signing, who will give us invaluable European match experience and if we get ten plus games out him a real bargain.

Carlton Cole could be next to sign although personal terms are a rumoured stumbling block.

Bolton’s Matthew Taylor has had a few mentions as well in various message boards and Brums’ Scott Dann could still be on the cards, especially if no top six club makes an offer for him.

The Potters have landed…

…in Austria for their week long training camp. Twenty six players travelled with Fuller and Higginbotham remaining back home as they continue to recover from their injuries.

Darron Gibson and Carton Cole could be signing soon if rumours are to be believed with Greek defender Vasilis Torosidis another possible target.

Eidur Gudjohnsen could be signing for Premiership new boys Swansea City. Mmm a big gamble as he failed with us and Fulham last season…

Sonko watch: he’s turned down a move to Greek side PAOK this week.

Pre-season training started today

The Stoke players returned today for pre-season training before they fly off tomorrow for a six day training camp in Austria. No new faces in the squad as yet although Scott Dan and Cameron Jerome could be set to join as a fee had been agreed between the two clubs. Still need the players to actually agree terms though and methinks Dann is hoping a top six club comes in with a bid.

As Man Utd offload their defence to either a retirement home or Sunderland, but Darron Gibson apparently according to recent Sunderland recruit John O’Shea tweeted that Gibson was weighing up offers from Sunderland and us. Despite some Oatcake MB bods saying he’s pants he would be a good signing for us and Pulis always pulls a surprise player in that fans think WTF? Last season it was Jon Walters.

Carlton Cole we may go in with an increased bid although QPR are homing in on  him now. Jonathan Woodgate on a possible one year contract, please no as he’s past it now with his injuries. Let Leeds have him back…

Cross off Reading’s Matt Mills as he has joined Leicester.

Transfer rumours update…

No new signings yet but plenty of rumours including Man Utd defensive pair John O’Shea and Wes Brown, although Sunderland are current favourites to land both players. Brum’s Scott Dan is not set to join us accroding to some Oatcake MB ‘insiders’, although Cameron Jerome remains a possible taget. Reading’s Matt Mills is still being linked with us as Wolves had a £3m bid turned down. Stoke had a bid for West Ham’s Carlton Cole turned down as they want more for him. Of all the possible signings I can see this one coming off as Pulis always gets his man!

Former player Kevin Keen has joined Liverpool as first team coach replacing Sammy Lee who looks set to be reunited with his old boss Big Sam at West Ham.

Sonko watch: no news on a new club for him although the Football Rumours website has Brighton as a possible new club for him.