We may already have that we are seemingly desperate to get. Real footballers are not like those on computer games where you can see the stats and "know" how they will perform. They too are dependent on the skills of those around them. Runs by the best players in the world are for nothing if the ball isn't there for them. We have a few in the team now that have vision to pick challenging runs out and we now have a bit of pace with Waine and Rico to a degree to get on the end of an intelligent pass. Players who one year are plain average can with the help of others turn that around. I have a feeling that Waine could play a big part this year. No one knows how anything will pan out this year but he could be the " Marquee" signing in disguise.

One thing guaranteed about Lovelace is he enjoys putting his boots on.

And slutty lingerie

7 minutes ago, philmpv said:

31 minutes ago, 1 said:

One thing guaranteed about Lovelace is he enjoys putting his boots on.

And slutty lingerie

Nice

Linda?

The "Throat Goat"

When I first saw lovelace as a potential signing earlier, my inner 16 year old was going phnar phnar  phnar phnar phnar ooooh ooooh ooooh 

Then I thought "no Hoppers, dont be such a nkob" 

Two hours later and you are all at it - and I can take the high road on this one 😁😁😁😁😁😁👍👍👍👍💜💜💜💜💜😂😂😂😂😂

 

Edited July 24, 2025Jul 24 by Hoppers

When asked about Devante Cole at tonight’s forum, DM completely dead-batted it and gave stock generic responses about ins and outs and Carol added that 80-90% of rumours on the internet are false.
It was so dead-batted that it almost seemed as if there was something in it.

48 minutes ago, efsb said:

When asked about Devante Cole at tonight’s forum, DM completely dead-batted it and gave stock generic responses about ins and outs and Carol added that 80-90% of rumours on the internet are false.
It was so dead-batted that it almost seemed as if there was something in it.

Tbh I can't see us signing Devante Cole as personally I think he'll end up at Reading 

 

Edited July 24, 2025Jul 24 by ValiantHan

Interesting note from DM..don’t think we are done at all with Ins and Outs.

”the squad is looking reasonably balance and we're pleased with the squad and additions we've made to lift the quality. We've tried to reduce the numbers in the squad and we'll always be linked with certain players. We look at who can improve us but also players that might go out the door, because all clubs are in the transfer window and we can't escape that. We're getting ready for a tough season opener so we're focusing on that, and pre-season has been spent honing in on that, but we understand we'll be linked with players coming in. It might be nice to speculate, but for me as the manager, it's about focusing on the detail with this group."

 

19 minutes ago, MBE said:

Interesting note from DM..don’t think we are done at all with Ins and Outs.

”the squad is looking reasonably balance and we're pleased with the squad and additions we've made to lift the quality. We've tried to reduce the numbers in the squad and we'll always be linked with certain players. We look at who can improve us but also players that might go out the door, because all clubs are in the transfer window and we can't escape that. We're getting ready for a tough season opener so we're focusing on that, and pre-season has been spent honing in on that, but we understand we'll be linked with players coming in. It might be nice to speculate, but for me as the manager, it's about focusing on the detail with this group."

 

Some really interesting comments about Ruari. Moore’s said he’s come back for pre-season looking like a completely different player. It sounds like he’s going to get another chance – and I really hope he takes it. You won’t find a more likeable lad, and that goal at Harrogate will live long in the memory.

18 hours ago, darren1810 said:

In fairness 90% of replies are incredulous at the thread. 

But they are entitled. Still think they are massive. 

In the last 40 years, 30 have been spent outside the top flight, yet " we should be where we belong ". 

I'd argue they already are. 

 

Including the coming season, Stoke have spent 62 of 127 seasons (48.8%) in the English top flight, having been one of the founder members.

(1888-89 to 2025-26 = 127 Seasons total, minus the war years)

If you are being pedantic you could say 58 years out of 127 as there was only one division for the first four years.

I am being pedantic 🙂 and I'm saying there have been 127 seasons of the English top flight in operation.

In fact Stoke were non-participants in the Football League in one of those first four years, 1890-91, and also not in the seasons 1907-08 to 1914-15.

But Stoke have spent 62 of 127 seasons in the English top flight and 65 seasons playing elsewhere, EFL or other.

40 minutes ago, Alan Vit said:

I am being pedantic 🙂 and I'm saying there have been 127 seasons of the English top flight in operation.

In fact Stoke were non-participants in the Football League in one of those first four years, 1890-91, and also not in the seasons 1907-08 to 1914-15.

But Stoke have spent 62 of 127 seasons in the English top flight and 65 seasons playing elsewhere, EFL or other.

And I wear pants and a bra on Sundays. 

2 minutes ago, Swanny-pvfc said:

And I wear pants and a bra on Sundays. 

For how many seasons ...?

17 hours ago, Hoppers said:

When I first saw lovelace as a potential signing earlier, my inner 16 year old was going phnar phnar  phnar phnar phnar ooooh ooooh ooooh 

Then I thought "no Hoppers, dont be such a nkob" 

Two hours later and you are all at it - and I can take the high road on this one 😁😁😁😁😁😁👍👍👍👍💜💜💜💜💜😂😂😂😂😂

 

I'm quite embarrassed at being closer to 50 than 40, and the first thought I had was of the Rock Hopper Penguin from the film Happy Feet.