This is worrying for me. Set aside performance and results, the bigger issue for our club is sustainable talent and reducing the age of the squad. Crazy!
Had a look at the Oatcake earlier Smithers (a very rare thing indeed) and one of the more interesting threads was asking if Mr Coates et al have lost the plot. Well for me, the jury is out. 10 minutes later No...something is afoot, cos this plus contract extensions instead of pensions is NOT rational behaviour. I said on here years ago, that this club was ALL about bet365...and got dog's abuse for my opinion.
The Oatcake makes some valid points on the money wasted by Hughes and this could be a reason for future budget restrictions. However if you don't believe in your manager then why keep him? Can you imagine our Veteran team, Given (41), Grant (34) Bardsley (31), Johnson (32), Shawx (29), Whelan (33) Fletcher (33), Ireland (30), Diouf (29), Adam (31), Afellay (31), Cameron (31), Crouch (36), Walters (33)....WTF
Meanwhile, we offer extended contracts to...Oh never mind, not even going to moan about it anymore. Waste of time and I mean the whole set up from top to bottom, plus the whole influx of monies from Sky et al which has transformed the premier league into an obscene cesspit. BET 365 are up there - nose in trough up to their corporate shoulders. Always supported Stoke these last 65 years...but at heart, always been a Rugby man, and a dinosaur amatuer Rugby man at that
What value is Butland based on this? http://www.skysports.com/football/n...e-163-30m-jordan-pickford-fee-with-sunderland
STOKE BID FOR GIBSON Stoke have made a £12million bid for Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson, according to the Mirror. The paper reports that Potters boss Mark Hughes is keen to add to his central defensive options, but Boro will want more than £20million for him.