Stoke City: Michael Owen and co will raise bar says Matthew Etherington
MATTHEW Etherington says Stoke's established players will up their game now that Tony Pulis has added Michael Owen to his strongest ever Premier League squad.
Etherington is back in training and available for Saturday's home game with Manchester City after missing Stoke's last two league matches because of a hamstring injury.
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Stoke City's Matthew Etherington has said the signing of Michael Owen will help other players up their game.
The 31-year-old winger has been a regular in the Stoke side ever since joining the club in January 2009, but can't take his place for granted as he competes with new boy Michael Kightly, Jermaine Pennant and possibly Jon Walters for a starting place out wide.
Etherington said: "Competition for places is great now. No one is guaranteed their place, which is always good. It is a big season for us this year.
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"With the squad we have we should do well. It is up to us to go and do it on the pitch, but we have no excuses with the squad we have.
"That is what you want. You don't want to become complacent and know you have a starting place every week.
"You want competition and someone to push you – and that's what we have in every position now."
Stoke are assessing Owen to see whether the 32-year-old former Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle and Manchester United striker could play against the champions on Saturday, most likely as a substitute.
Etherington says Owen, who has scored 259 career goals, is a tremendous addition to the squad.
He added: "He has played for some great clubs and hopefully he can give something to Stoke as well. I am sure he still has another couple of years in him and can score some goals for us.
"His record speaks for itself. He has scored goals wherever he has gone.
"He is an out-and-out goalscorer and, if he stays fit, he will be a great signing."
Etherington says the rest of the Stoke squad should also be able to learn from Owen off the field as well as on it.
He added: "He's been at some of the best clubs in the world, and we can only learn from players who have been at those sorts of clubs and the way they handle themselves."
Etherington is keeping his fingers crossed he is in the squad to face a Manchester City side he sees as favourites to win the league again.
He said: "It's been mixed emotions against them because we have had some good results against them at home, but lost to them in the FA Cup final.
"It's going to be a tough game because they are a great side with great players."
MAMA Sidibe scored Stoke's only goal as the reserves lost 4-1 at home to Fleetwood Town in the Central League Cup yesterday.
Senior players Danny Higginbotham, Carlo Nash and Diego Arismendi also played in the game at Clayton Wood.
Comments
by yakrap
Friday, September 14 2012, 5:00PM
“So soccerfoot you get hounded off one article because of your foul comments and then, having been roundly picked up for attacking people who do not even involve you, your desire to attack leaves you making up comments that do not exist to justify your insults.
I have said it before and I will say it again, you need help.
I think most will try to ignore you now, time will tell how long it lasts this time, but there is no doubt all will complain to the controllers to stop you ruining this site!”
by boothernender
Friday, September 14 2012, 4:46PM
“EVA needs the men in white coats Soothsayer. The Vale fan commented on Owens signing and compared it with how Tony Waddinton used to get the best from players in their later years. What the hell has that got to do with EVA, he's off his rocker. Maybe he's now so insane he thinks he's Tony Waddington. EVA comments that how TP approaches games against the big boys, compared to the rest of the league prove that he is not shrewd. What a load of rubbish, the rest of the league usually lose against them and we tend not to. Shrewd or what ? EVA is not negative, he's mad.”
by Soothsayer2
Friday, September 14 2012, 2:41PM
“Is somebody going to put a formal complaint to the sentinel regarding these monkey's posts below. its has gone beyond a joke. They have ruined this Stoke page with their negativity and making us the laughing stock of the premier league.”
by SCFC4EVA
Friday, September 14 2012, 2:39PM
“But on a football note.....
Tony Pulis is many things, good and bad, but one thing he is definitely not is shrewd !! His tactics and general attitude towards games on the road prove that. How he approaches games against the big boys, compared to the rest of the league prove that. How he becomes even more defensive when we have a solitary goal lead and usually end up conceding for another mind numbing draw prove that. His bizarre substituting in certain games proves that. His bizarre over use of the very ineffective Jon Walters, while others sat on the bench and we were just dying for goals last season proves he is not.
When Tony Pulis starts having his team play to a standard instead of to the opposition, then he might be considered shrewd.”
by SCFC4EVA
Friday, September 14 2012, 2:14PM
“has anyone else noticed how a Vale fan comes on here and says something about me, these twerps start applauding him with gusto, just because he said it, about me.One of their regular insults for me is that I am actually a Vale fan. Last time i remember another Vale fan coming on here (why is he on here anyway?) saying something they DIDN'T like, they hurled their usual abuse his way that they save for anyone who says something they don't like
The hypocrisy is staggering and so so funny !”
by Vale_For_Real
Thursday, September 13 2012, 10:13PM
“Cheers also boothernender.
Its all so character building our characters are now grown to about the size of Vale Park.”
by Vale_For_Real
Thursday, September 13 2012, 10:11PM
“Thats very nice Potterspeil thank you.
Just so your not too dissapointed in future I do sometimes do banter and mick-taking as well.”
by boothernender
Thursday, September 13 2012, 9:49PM
“You have to admire the Vale fans who have stuck with the cause Spiel given what they have had to put up with. I hope they do well it's all good for the area.”
by Potterspeil
Thursday, September 13 2012, 8:09PM
“Like him or not, Pulis is a shrewd operator. I think Saturday's game throws up alot of interest.
Do we stick or do we twist?
To throw in Owen, Nzonzi, Adam all at the same time could provide dividends It could also backfire? I would like to think that having these players waiting in the wings will inspire the likes of Whelan, Walters and Whitehead to prove their mettle or accept a lengthy consignment to the bench.
(Welcome Vale for Real to this site. Great to have your views as an outsider-without any hint of ridicule or provocation I may add)”
by Boz_Stokie
Thursday, September 13 2012, 7:19PM
“There are definitely optimistic and pessamistic Stoke fans, to label one group of them as "so called" is simply immature and unintelligent. All opinions are valid, we are all Stoke fans.
In relation to the article, I think it's great for our club that we have competition and the players we are bringing in are definitely a level above what we have. However, only true competition can occur if the manager selects players based on form, tactical requirement and ability. Unfortunately TP has a track record of selecting favourites. Let's hope that will change.
I'm genuinely excited to see what Adam, Nzonzi, Cameron and Owen can bring to our team. I hope that we will see an evolution to more quality football and a positive approach to games. We can probably judge the success of this in a few months.
Looking forward to Saturday!”