Stoke City: Tony Pulis puts faith in young stars as club's academy is granted category one status

“yes SF they gave the world cup to one of the hottest countries in the world,which costs a fortune for the average fan to get to,where they cannot have a beer and like the cricket, that has been tried there, playing to half empty stadiums with no atmosphere.When as the Olympics have proved,the British public will turn out and create a good tournament,do not see that happening in the middle east.As for the Academy What about Hoekstra as head coach.Cannot comment on the opening ceremony as i was in Blackpool watching the Darts,now that was entertainment.”

“I would dare bet that Cuvelier never starts a Premier League match for Stoke while Pulis is in charge.
Anyone care to take me up on it?”

“Liam makes a good point about United and Arsenal as they are the only clubs who have long-term managers, who feel safe enough to entrust their team with youth. Look at Chelsea and Man City, neither have paid the same types of attention to their youth team since they were took over; but if you look further down the list of teams, Spurs and Liverpool have only dipped their toes into their youth departments in recent years, whilst Everton are the only mid-table team who I can recall giving youth players a chance on a consistent basis.

I want to make it clear that I agree with what Mel has pointed out, especially where he suggests that Stoke look abroad for Academy Leaders, but I just want to point that out of the players he mentions that came from the original academy, only Shotton, Wilkinson and Foster are still playing in the Prem. Granted the others are in the Championship so it's not like they're pub-team players, but if you want to see both sides of the argument, that's it alright to give youth a chance if they're up to the challenge, it's a fair point to bring up.”

“For once I'm totally in agreement with Stone. Pulis has never offered the youth team players a look in apart from a couple like Wilkinson and Dickinson and even those were continually in and out of the side.

Mind you, it's not a very different story from what it's like at most other PL sides. Most managers are terrified that a young player will make mistakes which will fall back on the manager and will cost him his job.

Fergie and Wenger are amaong the only ones who feel safe enough in their jobs to pick youth sometimes, and even they buy most of their young players from other clubs.

In some European countries 3 out of 7 on the bench must be U-21 players. That still means the boss will probably choose the 3 subs that are over 21, but it would enanble him to choose a youngster every now and again to come in and get 20 minutes of valueable experience.”

“Stokemaverick: more than a bit disrespectful towards two players (Ness and Cameron) that you know nothing about, and have not seen play yet.

And regarding SPL/decent ladsanddads players. I knew many decent ladsanddads players and not one of them has played in the SPL ;)”

“I have always preferred to read knowledgeable and well informed comments from Davej
and yourself Wheater on purely Stoke city matters, as true supporters.

Its the anti Soccerfoot (now SCFC4EVA) postings which I find tiresome.

I have given my views on the forthcoming season on earlier posts and again with
regard to the Manager : there are those fans who accept the negative tactical style
of play in recent seasons just as long as Stoke City remain in the Premier and those
who dont - some just dont like the man and want a new manager, maybe in the style
of a David Moyes who has established a good Everton side without mega-funding and
who always seem to finish well in the second half of a season .

However, I am sure some disgruntled fans could be won over by Tony Pulis if they
could see a new attacking style, especially in mid-field, resulting in more goals
and of course players in the right position, two genuine full-backs AND a top 10 finish.
Remember, it was he who talked about his 3 year plan, at the outset.”

“up to date 2 signings...ness from rangers...any decent ladsandads player can play in the spl...and an unknown american utility player with no premier league expeirence..how tp can say he will give younger players a chance where is cuvelier [a brilliant prospect by all accounts] at this moment in time...on loan thats where...what the message should really be to the fans is...''thanks for buying your season tickets but we aint spending no more'''...i fear a long hard season with a relegation battleon the cards...”

“All we need now is out first gold - GO CAV" -by Si1963

...then the real world kicks in.”

“You are so correct jpj could not agree more but as with the millions who did watch on TV I enjoyed them and believe am allowed to say so.
I trust this season you will also only give relevant comment on this site and confirm when you attend the games? Likewise also keep your comment about matters at Stoke City FC when you are able to confirm your comments are relative?
From the comfort of my armchair, I was proud to be British when I watched the opening ceremony. Weren't you?
Your comment just seems to be a dig at us? which on other pages you have vilified both myself and Davejj for when speaking of soccerfoot? Can you explain why it is OK for you to do so now?”

“You do realize DaveJ and Wheater that your comments re. the Olympic ceremony
are not so relevant unless you are actually there in attendance at the Stadium
experiencing the LIVE event like true Olympic supporters and not watching
from the comfort of your own homes on your Plasma screens.”