Well what a week it's been. On the pitch Stoke have performed better than we could have hoped. A great win at QPR, very exciting stuff, to come back from a goal down and to win it in just s few minutes in the second half was the best we have seen for a while. Then Saturday's nail biter, leading and dominating for most of the match, only to concede a latish equaliser wow!
I was interested to read Neil Warnocks comment that it was a difficult game as Stoke only had one man up front. Did he watch the same game? Stoke were by far the more attacking team and had numerous chances to score. Ade Akinbiyi had the boos to greet him when he came on as a sub in the second half but he hasn't done much since he went to blades. 1.75 million? Only wish Stoke had got that much for him.
Like many I am concerned about Sammy's lack of form. He was injured on Saturday, but he has not been as sharp for some time. Is he homesick? Maybe the unsettling issues behind the scenes are affecting him. I hope he gets its sorted out whatever it is. He is a class act and the club needs him.
The 'arrival' of Zola at the club was also welcome. He perfomed well at the African Nations Cup so lets hope he gets a work permit all right. There seems to be a little doubt because of the world ranking of DR Congo let's hope it isn't a problem.
This signing does indicate that plans for next season are well under way. How many more signing will be made we will have to wait and see. of course the loan signings of Gallagher, Junior and Skoko will come to an end. These will have to be replaced or retained. Certainly Gallaghers goals will be missed and there is no indication that his signing could be made permanent. What would Blackburn want for him anyway. If Ade is worth 1.75 million(not that I think he is) then what is Gallagher worth? As usual we will have to watch this space.
It is good for the future of the club when the youngsters are given a chance. Wilkinson, Paterson and Dickinson have all had a match recently as did Rooney in the FA Cup. Lets hope these provide answers to some of the questions for next season.
Off the field it is amazing how things rumble on. It is common knowledge that Peter Coates did not want Pulis sacked. Whether he was right or not is a different topic. If he now succeeds in taking over the club, providing his valuation matches the Icelandic shareholders, then what then for Boskamp? His future still hasn't been confirmed and would he want to sign a new contract if he didn't know if he had the backing of whoever will own the club? These are uncertain times for the club. Lets hope this week we see some resolution to the issues.
I was interested to read Neil Warnocks comment that it was a difficult game as Stoke only had one man up front. Did he watch the same game? Stoke were by far the more attacking team and had numerous chances to score. Ade Akinbiyi had the boos to greet him when he came on as a sub in the second half but he hasn't done much since he went to blades. 1.75 million? Only wish Stoke had got that much for him.
Like many I am concerned about Sammy's lack of form. He was injured on Saturday, but he has not been as sharp for some time. Is he homesick? Maybe the unsettling issues behind the scenes are affecting him. I hope he gets its sorted out whatever it is. He is a class act and the club needs him.
The 'arrival' of Zola at the club was also welcome. He perfomed well at the African Nations Cup so lets hope he gets a work permit all right. There seems to be a little doubt because of the world ranking of DR Congo let's hope it isn't a problem.
This signing does indicate that plans for next season are well under way. How many more signing will be made we will have to wait and see. of course the loan signings of Gallagher, Junior and Skoko will come to an end. These will have to be replaced or retained. Certainly Gallaghers goals will be missed and there is no indication that his signing could be made permanent. What would Blackburn want for him anyway. If Ade is worth 1.75 million(not that I think he is) then what is Gallagher worth? As usual we will have to watch this space.
It is good for the future of the club when the youngsters are given a chance. Wilkinson, Paterson and Dickinson have all had a match recently as did Rooney in the FA Cup. Lets hope these provide answers to some of the questions for next season.
Off the field it is amazing how things rumble on. It is common knowledge that Peter Coates did not want Pulis sacked. Whether he was right or not is a different topic. If he now succeeds in taking over the club, providing his valuation matches the Icelandic shareholders, then what then for Boskamp? His future still hasn't been confirmed and would he want to sign a new contract if he didn't know if he had the backing of whoever will own the club? These are uncertain times for the club. Lets hope this week we see some resolution to the issues.