Stoke City: Tony Pulis delighted with deadline day deals
TONY Pulis has hailed the headline signings of Iceland international Eidur Gudjohnsen and former England winger Jermaine Pennant as major coups which could propel Stoke into a long-term Premier League future, writes Martin Spinks.
Gudjohnsen, aged 31, was sealed on a season-long loan from Monaco and 27-year-old Pennant arrives on loan until January from Spanish outfit Real Zaragoza.
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They join fellow deadline-day signings Marc Wilson and Salif Diao, while Pulis, pictured right, also confirmed there had been an approach for Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia before being deterred by the asking price for the talented Frenchman.
All but the Diao signing went to the wire on a dramatic day of cat-and-mouse dealing which also saw Liam Lawrence and Dave Kitson move to Portsmouth to facilitate Wilson's arrival, on a four-year contract, in a deal valued at just over £4.5m.
"Eidur is a class player," said Pulis, "someone with real European pedigree at clubs like Barcelona and Chelsea.
"It's a deal we've been working on for a while and one we were trying to keep quiet.
"We spent a lot of time convincing him to come here, so we're obviously delighted he's decided to join us.
"I spoke to Harry Redknapp about him because he had him on loan at Tottenham last season. He thought he was a top player and if things had been different at Tottenham he would have taken him back.
"I've spoken to others about him and they say he's a top lad behind the scenes, and he's still got plenty left in the tank. It should be a real coup for this football club.
"And we can say the same about Jermaine. This was another one we were keeping quiet because we didn't want others getting involved.
"I spoke to his agent two days into pre-season, so it wasn't as last minute as people might think."
He said of the former Liverpool and Birmingham winger: "He was one of the bright young stars of English football before going to Spain after losing his way a little bit.
"Now we hope we can breathe some life back into him and I'm looking forward to working with him."
Pulis believes the pair can re-ignite a goal-shy forward line coming under fire last season after winger Matthew Etherington top-scored in the Premier League with five.
"If you looked at last season's team," he acknowledged, "every supporter would have said it lacked goals more than anything. We seriously had to look at our goal-scoring capabilities and hopefully we've done that now.
"It's taken us a while to get them in and that's a disappointment because you want to be working with these players, but we will be patient with them and hopefully they have been worth the wait.
"This is a massive third year in the Premier League for us and a difficult one because it's hard to attract the players you need to take you to the next level.
"But if we can get through this season we will be fine, I'm convinced of that, and these players have given us a great chance of doing that.
"Now we just have to get them as competitive and as focused as you want them to be."
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by Warren, Meir
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 10:09PM
“I don't know a lot about football, but I have heard of these Mr. Gudjohnson and Mr. Pennant. I look forward to viewing there skills on Match Of The Day at some point. By the way was Kitson the ginger one, cos he was rubbish, glad he's gone.”
by Jens, Denmark
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 8:47PM
“Good signings, but I wonder if three players in his position is what TP promised Tuncay when he said that next season would be different? Tuncay hasn't started a league game this season and just where does he fit in. He's a cut above them all.”
by Dave Leese, Meir Park
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 5:19PM
“Great work by Tony and Peter. The quality of the squad is something we could only dream about 5 years ago. On a minor point I would have liked to see a quality midfield player to make us tick from the middle as I am sure Gudjohnsen will prefer to ball to his feet than in the air but it was always a 3 year project and I am sure our style of play will evolve. I also hope the issue with Begovic can be resolved as he is a player for the future and what a statement that we told the money men from West London to stick their money. Glad to see Kitson go too. Well done again to the management team and come on Stoke !!”
by Nick, Salop
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 4:50PM
“Beatie was a good time Charlie but did a good job for us while Kitson, no way was he a footballer, clumsy player with no skill and for sure not premiership class - good ridance to him...
Not sure where everyone is to play as Ric is class at holding up the ball, Jones must play, and then you have Eidur and Walters too - not forgetting Tuncay who I guess is finished at Stoke and come Jan will be gone.
We will soon see I am sure.”
by Rob, Canada
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 4:31PM
“Exciting news. Glad to see that they have finally got rid of Kitson and Beattie. Now we have real options up front. All credit to TP and Coates - they have transformed the club.”
by Gareth, Stone,Staffs
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 4:06PM
“Just how exciting is it to be a Stoke fan right now?These are truly unprecidented times!Congratulations must go to all involved with our summer transfer dealings this summer,to have messers,Fuller,Jones,Tuncay (whom i am sure will benefit from a more recent buys) & Gudjohnsen available to us as a front quartet is absoloutly incredible.That is one potent looking forward line with a wealth of different qualities to offer!Add to those the shrewd signing of Walters,the exsisting presence of Etherington & what could be another TP " Battersea dog`s home" signing of great quality Pennant.We now have pace,guile & power all across our front line.Very exciting indeed.The only problem TP now faces is shoe horning them all into the side,something i didnt think we would be quite so difficult as regards Stoke`s forward line this season.Great stuff,cant wait for the Villa!!!!”
by Ivan, Staffs
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 3:41PM
“Agree with those below & just to reiterate my point made yesterday about all credit due to messrs Coates & Pulis for bringing more quality players to the squad & underlining our serious intent to take the club forward in the Prem in future.
Mind that, the first 3 years in Prem were always meant to be about consolidation. This suggests the club will be taking even bigger steps next season to take this club forward. Great times ahead & excellent work from all involved!”
by Pirehillpoet, Stone
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 1:52PM
“Excellent work by TP and his team, once again Mr Coates has been as good as his word. This Football Club is slowly being transformed into a bona fide top class outfit. I am delighted at the return of Diao in particular, characters like him add stability to any squad.”
by geoff pollard, meir stoke on trent
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 12:58PM
“probably the best clutch of signings we could have wished for, and after seeing Sunderlad and Wolves and Birmingham bringing in players which may have been good for us , i am totally pleased at just who we have signed, along with Jones and Walters, also glad to see we sent on their way the likes of Beattie and Kitson.
The future is bright - the future is Stoke !!”
by Kevin, Newcastle
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 12:10PM
“Gudjohnsen is a gamble but one that is worth taking. I hope he shows some late form in his career. Stoke are in desperate need of points before they find themselves trying to claw their way out of the bottom 3.”