Stoke City: Jury out on Potters' top boss

“This romantic notion that all of Stoke's time under Tony Waddington was great is delusional. I watched a lot of it and there were some great times but there was also some real rubbish and plenty of relegation dogfights. Were you there shouting "Waddington out" Mel because there was no internet in those days. This anti Pulis stuff is absolutely ridiculous but then some of you never wanted him and tried to get rid of him as soon as he came back. Remember the stupid Red card protest that fell flat on it's backside. He's made a lot of people look really stupid and they have never forgiven him.”

“OK lets compare apples and apples instead of apples and oranges with Pulis and Waddington. How about Roberto Martinez, he has had his club survive too over the last 4 plus seasons just like Pulis has and he has been working with much, much less money and talent than Pulis has but really head to head has not done much less than Pulis. So who would be considered the best manager of those 2?”

“I well remember relegation dogfights every year. Tony Waddington was not universally loved at the time. One of my favourites Peter Dobing divided the fans. Roy Vernon stubbing his fag out in the tunnel rumours that players used to go for a pint in the pmt social before the game.
I loved them, what a defence we had Marsh Pejic Bloor Smith Skeels. Dodd couldn't get in.
My hero Jimmy Greenhoff, Conroy and Richie.
Then Dobing broke his leg and from the darkest place the brightest light appeared. The god Alan Hudson. He saw things nobody else did and made it look easy. I remember the dual between him and tony Currie. England ignoring my heroes a travesty.
Then the roof blew off,we'll sit in the rain we cried, but the era was over.
Years in the wilderness. Dire teams who couldn't string 3 passes together
Now five seasons in the premiership I'm thrilled to see the giants of football coming to stoke again Man U Man city Chelsea Arsenal and stoke give them a game. A Wembley cup final a semi final that left everyone in shock Bolton fans leaving at half time a defeat that they never recovered from. Trips into Europe I'm back to being boy again who can't sleep the night before a big game
Thank you Peter Coates Thank You Tony Pulis”

“Comparisons between generations are not very practical
but for me, there is no question that Mr. Waddington was
the better Manager, and also a great person.

I am sure there may be younger posters on here who may
have never experienced the Waddington years, so the only
comparisons they have are with the likes of Lou Macari and
a few other, here today and gone tomorrow Managers.

Waddington had a master stroke signing of Stan Matthews in
1961 and his home debut saw the crowd triple in numbers from
the previous home game and the following year gained promotion
when Stan scored the winner in a memorable game against Luton.
Stoke were now in the First Division (Premier equvalent)
and Waddington pursued a vision of how the game should be played
with a policy of experienced masters with youth, blending a team of
great skill which went on to delight football purists, wherever they played.
Sadly, he resigned from Stoke in 1977 after the previous year
when a severe gale blew the roof off the Butler Street Stand
at the old Vic. Ground, and the bank refused to finance the rebuilding cost.
The Team he had built up had to be sold to pay for the roof replacement
building resulting in the heartbreaking sale of great players, in particular,
Jimmy Greenhoff, Hudson and Pejic.
SInce Pulis has been in charge, for me, there has been only one performance,
the F A Cup Semi-final against Bolton, to compare with the regular displays
in the Waddington era.

I have only read about Bob McGory and heard the tales from my Uncle, but
he had a long spell at Stoke and fielded around 3 internationals in a
team made up of local players.

Maybe Latthink can give his opinion on that.”

“Dave wrong again! You missed the whole point haven't you! Waddington was a believer in good offensive entertaining football and Pulis sets his teams up to destroy football being played and makes no bones about his defensive approach which is not entertaining.
Waddington had a proven record of being able to make fantastic signings that went onto to become better players even with a low budget. Pulis has made a catalogue of poor signings with a chest full of money.
Waddington won something and got us into the top five of the top division. Pulis build's his reputation on not getting relegation.
No compettition.”

“Two different worlds and it's a joke to compare the two managers. The requirements of being a manager have changed beyond measure since Tony Waddingtons day so this is another worthless story to fill the pages. No one with any sense would take it seriously. Naturally Stone "jumpers for goalposts" Mel and Potty have come out in favour of Mr Waddington, now there's a shock. The reality is that both managers have done fine jobs in their time at Stoke and as supporters we should be grateful to have had both.”

“All I can say is Waddo would be turning in his grave at Pulis's interpretation of how football (or hoof it up the pitch in hope)should be played. I accept Premiership survival is crucial, but should it be at the cost of abolishing all skill, defend at all costs, being happy with a 0-0 draw and never mind if you don't score....Is that entertainment?”

“Bloody hell, these people just can't help themselves. Umbongo and his group of beligerent to everybody who doesn't pray to Pulis haters sees fit to post something as hateful as that. Why, why can't these clowns just post about the article just for bloody once?
When is this fella going to grow up??”

“Sign there isn't much to write about again!
This old chestnut!
Pulis is not and will never be fit enough to lace Waddington's boots end of.”

“Waddo picked the team up from near the bottom of the second division and took the them to the brink of the league championship and was conned out of two FA Cup finals, using very little money and playing some great football on the way.
Pulis' teams have ground out a niche in the Premiership playing some of the worst football I've ever seen and spent unprecedented amounts of money.
When Pulis gets the team playing football he may someday be fit to lace Waddo's boots!”