Old Man AndrewsStrandedOld Man Andrews Stoke seem to have a load of players who just don't give a single toss any more. It was the sort of tackle that makes it look like the defender had a bet on 0-2.
They have that horrible mix of:
a) players on big contracts who don't want to move/aren't wanted elsewhere
b) loan players who don't really care as they'll be off soon enough (see Cameron-Vickers)
c) players who just aren't good enough or not good enough any more.
They have less points after 15 games than Ipswich last year and Sunderland the year before - it will take a minor miracle to stay up now especially if they lose to Barnsley at the weekend.
Think if they get Pulis back in they will stay up, he can get teams to grind out wins and draws. It will just be dull as oxf*rd for their supporters. if they go down it will kill them so it might be the right time to break the emergency Pulis glass.
I think you underestimate the vitriol there is toward Pulis amongst the Stoke fan base now - he was hated toward the end and nothing that has happened in his career since has made them think he is anything but a dinosaur. There are some fans who would rather go down that have him back at the club.
Doesn't discount it happening of course, but it would have to be successful instantly else the atmosphere at the stadium will get even more toxic.
Their fixture list isn't actually too bad up to Xmas so the right new manager has a chance if they can galvanise them. Fixtures are:
Barnsley (a) 23rd
Wigan (H) 20th
Cardiff (a) 14th
Blackburn (H) 16th
Hull (a) 11th
Luton (H) 21st
Reading (H) 19th
Boro (a) 22nd
So they play the 5 teams directly above them in the current table. Good chance to get off the bottom, or relegated by Xmas.
