Stoke III, ANYONE GIVE A TOSS?

[Bryan]

bmr - what time are you planing to get to Mary D's? We'll be where we met you last time, just inside the entrance from the side door.

ob1 - if you do get chance to join us, come in through the side entrance. I'll be wearing a sky blue 'harrington' jacket and be with my 20 year old son, Joe. We'll be stood just inside the entrance to the rear bar area.

[bluemoon risin',]

Bryan, about 6 to 6-30 mate. I usually go in the Victoria first[just behind Ashton new rd] so if i can finish work early enough, that's where i'll be.

Ob1, i'll arrange to meet with you if you like in the vic or Mary's, just leave your spandex, chest wig n' medalion at home mate

Wtf! wear it anyway, soi recognise you. lol.

Now then, for those about to rock, i salute you!

[ob1]

This has suddenly turned into a monumentally huge game. Stoke should have the good grace to roll over as they have a free pass into Europe courtesy of our league success but there's no way Pulis will allow that. Kudos to him by the way as he seems to have lost this one with good grace. I only saw one interview with him but he admitted the best side won; however, it was the tv pictures of him applauding as City lifted the trophy that I found most endearing. I think that I even saw that Rag Shawcross applauding. Back to the league game and the main issue for me will be the mental state of the players. Will City be complacent? Will Stoke be demoralised or out for revenge? What is going to motivate Stoke? If City are motivated like there were for the final, they should win regardless of what Stoke do but there's never any guarantees with our lot.

The other thing is will / should Mancini rotate heavily? I'm afraid that there's no room for sentiment (sorry SWP etc) but there could be for fresh legs.

I've posted similar about Pulis on the FA Cup thread OB1. I know you don't read KotK, but over the course of the last 2 years, I've given him a right booting in the fanzine (and on here if truth be told). I thought on Saturday though he acted with more class than Taggart has in 25 years. You could see the pride in him as he waited in the tunnel to lead his team out, and he behaved with great dignity in defeat. I felt genuinely sorry for him. As such I have a new found respect for the bloke.......although I reserve the right to change my mind if they nick anything off us on Tuesday! If that happens, then he's a cnut again

I can recall some of your comments on Pulis, which expressed opinions that I shared and I share your latest opinion.

I was also pleased that our support applauded Stoke up the stairs. That reminded me of 1976 when we gave Super Mac merciless stick at the start of proceedings but applauded him (especially) and his team mates warmly as they left the field - we had the tunnel end and I had a spot by the tunnel.

[ob1]

Bryan, BMR,

As long as we don't have any travel problems, we will try to meet you guys. I have BMR's mobile number so should be able to find you. I shave off what's left of my hair and, fashion fans, will be wearing a (long-sleeved) blue away shirt, jeans and probably a black Gant down parka (or blue Polo gillet); sadly, no spandex but a big grin .

[Bryan]

[]

I was also pleased that our support applauded Stoke up the stairs. That reminded me of 1976 when we gave Super Mac merciless stick at the start of proceedings but applauded him (especially) and his team mates warmly as they left the field - we had the tunnel end and I had a spot by the tunnel.

We even chanted "Newcastle" as they made their way up the tunnel. Similarly, we chanted "Sunderland" after we had sent them down at Maine Road in the early nineties.

[ob1]

[]

I was also pleased that our support applauded Stoke up the stairs. That reminded me of 1976 when we gave Super Mac merciless stick at the start of proceedings but applauded him (especially) and his team mates warmly as they left the field - we had the tunnel end and I had a spot by the tunnel.

We even chanted "Newcastle" as they made their way up the tunnel. Similarly, we chanted "Sunderland" after we had sent them down at Maine Road in the early nineties.

I'd forgotten that bit but we did.

[singcat]

Leaving for Manchester now

How much more nerves this season are we to endure!!

[ob1]

Leaving for Manchester now

How much more nerves this season are we to endure!!

I'm more nervous about the traffic on the M6 than the game; at least at the moment. I'm not setting off for another hour and a half. The worst that can happen now is that we finish fourth and third place would be the cherry on the icing on the cake so I'm hoping that today will be fairly relaxed and a bit of a party. I trust the cup will be brought out for a lap of honour at the end of the game.

Do feel a bit sorry for Stoke having to play us again so soon but my sympathy will disappear if they get anything out of today's game.

We were discussing a softened stance on Pulis but I'm wondering if anyone has warmed at all to David Platt? His unabashed joy when we won both games at Wembley certainly pleased me.

[bluemoon risin',]

Can't wait for the game tonight, Eastlands will be rocking. I wouldn't want to be a stoke fan now, having to see us parade the cup in front of them - sweet!
Surely their teams morale will be flatter than one of their oatcakes. I certainly hope so. Sure will be fun singing Ya ya ya ya Toure to the tune of my Delilah.
As you all know, i have no time for the porno tashed inbreds with bigger guts than an average china mans wok! They look like a big collective splodge of toothpaste in those awful shirts.

City, there's ONLY one City

[Eric, Dutch]

BMR, as you surely must have been raped (several tiems) when visiting Stoke, it gives another meaning as to why you think it's such a shitwhole.

I've been there once, think early 80-ies. One of the top 3 worst cities I've been to in UK. Others Wolverhampton and -as you reminded me a while ago- Middlesborough. At Ayresome Park late 70-ies I even got into a minor riot when Boro'-fans entered the City-section. I stood my ground and ran ... fast!!