https://oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/thread/295276/barnsley The fans don't think they have a prayer of beating us. Hope they're right.
I thought this comment was telling... If MBI, Chester, Ince, Thomson, Vokes, Gregory, Ward and Clucas are anywhere near the 11 v Barnsley we are ******. Most of these are the type of experienced Championship ready players that people bleat on about us lacking. I'd wager that the combined salaries of those 8 players cover our entire wage bill. Pleased that we aren't saddled with expensive deadwood if that guys opinion is anything to go by.
There is experience and there is deadwood. Leeds, Fulham, Derby Nottingham Forrest etc dont seem to be doing too bad with experience. Look at our promotion winning side to the Premiership, the addition of Hendrie and Wilko was key amongst the younger players.
Well, they're clearly deadwood at Stoke, but (I assume) there's nothing wrong with those players* in terms of ability and experience, so is it just an attitude thing? I'm loathe to use the words "prima donna" but some players just can't handle playing in a division lower than their expectations. * the ones I've heard of. Don't follow other teams that much so some of the names are unknown.
Interesting one of the comments on there says couldnt care less if I never see mclean, butland or ince again in a stoke shirt. Some wages there could see adam davies in goal Saturday.
Correct it’s about balance. We’ve gone to the extreme of having hardly any experience which has ultimately backfired. Look at our form since signing sollabauer is it a coincidence! if we’d have singed him in August we’d be a lot higher up the table that is for sure. Let’s hope the owners have realised the importance of having a few players in the squad who don’t fit the model of: developing young players to move on for a profit but they’ll help retain championship status and in turn the revenues generated at this level.
