Stoke Relegation Thread

[Jacko51]

Some interesting comments on here. 
 

http://www.talkceltic.net/forums/threads/michael-oneill-arrested-on-suspicion-of-drink-driving.146012/

[Biddulph_PV]

It’s an interesting appointment. They’ll have over 2,600 at Barnsley and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them win.

However, a couple of things don’t add up, like how they can pay a manager £1.5m on a 3.5 year contract, have also paid off Jones, spent quite a bit in the summer, and promising him significant resources in January, and not be breaching FFP???

[For Us All]

11 hours ago, cheshirevaliant said:

I'm genuinely not sure if I would swap John Askey for Michael O'Neill, and I'm fairly sure JA isn't on £1.5m per year! 

I doubt very much whether JA's annual salary exceeds a months pay for O'Neill?

[Houston Valiant]

Mclean won’t wear a poppy at Oakwell. I wonder will Michael O’Neill? 

[Joe B]

12 hours ago, Biddulph_PV said:

It’s an interesting appointment. They’ll have over 2,600 at Barnsley and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them win.

However, a couple of things don’t add up, like how they can pay a manager £1.5m on a 3.5 year contract, have also paid off Jones, spent quite a bit in the summer, and promising him significant resources in January, and not be breaching FFP???

Their FFP woes won't kick in till the end of the 2020/21 season, as until then they have parachute payments.

Coates and the lads are effectively banking on selling some players or getting promoted by then, as they have big financial issues if they don't. With the rapidly declining attendances, meagre TV money, and obviously less appeal to sponsors, their sustainable revenue is nose-diving and if the Prem wasn't bailing them out to the tune of £43m last season, £35m this season, and around £15m next season, they wouldn't have been able to pay £10ish million for frauds like Ince, Hogan, and Woods.

If they go down I wouldn't be shocked if Coates looks to sell. If O'Neill doesn't work then that club's about to be exposed as one of the most poorly run in the top 2 divisions. Real short-termism, no long-term strategy, sacking managers at the first sign of the (famously impatient) fanbase's ire.

[Heatwave]

19 hours ago, glenpvfc said:

Is he religious? Does it fit with the theme that all of Stokes managers have to be Catholic?

Asking for a disciple...

I don't think you're too far wrong there Glen. Most, if not all, of their managers from TP onwards have been either Catholic or practising Christians. I might have a chance if O'Neill doesn't cut it......

[Heatwave]

6 hours ago, Houston Valiant said:

Mclean won’t wear a poppy at Oakwell. I wonder will Michael O’Neill? 

Don't think O'Neill is as political as McLean. 

[Heatwave]

15 hours ago, Jacko51 said:

Some interesting comments on here. 
 

http://www.talkceltic.net/forums/threads/michael-oneill-arrested-on-suspicion-of-drink-driving.146012/

What does it say Jean? The site wouldn't let me view because I'm running an ad blocker. 

[Valiant62]

Intrigued by comments with sectarian undertones (great Derry band btw). I’ve just found via google that Pulis is Catholic, Lambert and Jones definitely not, Boskamp, Mark Hughes and Gary Rowett difficult to say either way.  Bizarre .

 

[Heatwave]

2 hours ago, Valiant62 said:

Intrigued by comments with sectarian undertones (great Derry band btw). I’ve just found via google that Pulis is Catholic, Lambert and Jones definitely not, Boskamp, Mark Hughes and Gary Rowett difficult to say either way.  Bizarre .

 

Have a feeling Hughes is and Rowett a practising non Catholic Christian. Couldn't speak for the others. 

[Valiant62]

I like O’Neill and Irish (including diaspora) players of both traditions. I hate it when they go to sJoke.

[Doha]

Think you might have found an insight into the Stoke city recruitment process and eligibility requirements here as it’s my understanding Coates is a fully paid up member of the god squad.

[Howjy04]

Well done Agent O’Neil.It’s the hope that kills.

[Biddulph_PV]

21 minutes ago, Howjy04 said:

Well done Agent O’Neil.It’s the hope that kills.

Let’s hope so. 

It certainly sounds like he delivered a ‘tactical masterclass’ today, more commonly known as playing people in their natural positions.

Listening to Radio Joke I was almost convinced he’d taken the from the bottom of the Championship to the top of the Premier League with this result against.....Barnsley.

 

 

[Bald Eagle]

Hopefully used up all their luck in one go.  Keeper error, penalty, should have conceded a penalty which would have made it 2-2.

big positive was the 2 x rousted goals they conceded.

Hopefully against the better teams they will continue to concede but not have goals gifted to them