Stoke City target Michael Owen pay-as-you-play deal

“Well Said M8, Well blood y said fella, top man !”

“God created the perfect world not one or two days but in 7 days. Pulis is creating the perfect team not one or two seasons but in 7 seasons, we are well on our way and I for one await the rest of the season with great optimism and excitement, and so should all you supporters. Sing loud Delilah.”

“No, but Owen may not be brought in to play his old out and out striker's role. He wasn't really doing that at United either, on those choice occasions he actually played. I think he would be asked to play the kind of role that Michu plays for Swansea, an attacking midfielder who starts quite far behind the main striker but pops up to pick up loose balls or arrive late in the box when the markers are too busy to watch the ball to realise he's there.

But even if Owen gets to somehow not being injured and plays regurlarly behind Crouch, Pulis will still be able able to find a place for Walters. And rightly so, as stripes and deadly have pointed to.”

“I've been to the last two away games and Johnny Walters was an of the match in both games ! I agree with what 'deadlyscfc' says. The reason Walters doesn't score that many goals, is because the, managerhas him tracking back defending when the opposition has the ball. We only ever really play one up front. I can't see Owen fulfilling the same role can you ?”

“The same John Walters that got around the back of the full back and put a peach of a cross in for Crouch.The same John Walters that Radio 5 commentator said was the man of the match on Sat and that Caldwell said had given him a torrid time all afternoon.Not saying he is brilliant but he is a player both the players and manager both like in the side,and that many pundits seem to rate highly.”

“Should point out Obama that the idiot comment is aimed at Soccerfoot and not your good self.”

“Given Owen's age and injury record no one but an idiot would offer anything other than a pay as you play deal. Thankfully neither our manager or chairman come into that category although some of our American so called supporters clearly do.”

“In my time watching Stoke under Pulis we have never had a playmaker of the class and guile of Charlie Adam. He really could be the catalyst that lights up this team and we start to see something like a Football Team emerge that can compete now in the Prem home and away. We should not fear anyone really and if you look at the way teams have started this campaign it is clear that nobody is going to lie down irrespective of who the opponents are. Southampton havce showed great attacking qualities against both City and United but have left gaps at the back - same with Reading. Wigan, Westham, Westbrom, Swansea and Norwich were on many a list as relegation candidates but they too have shown a fighting spirit. Villa, QPR and Liverpool are alos in the conversation. It is going to be a cut-throat year where teams will have to play with more attacking ambition especially away but at the same time keep things tight at the back. Adam is not yet in his prime and he might turn out to be the buy of the season - let's hope so. It has been well overdue. Well done Stoke City FC for allowing this kind of talent to grace our team.”

“SCFC4EVA, agreed, esp with your earlier post. Looks a non-starter for too many reasons, not least that manager seems unlikely to drop Walters, or find him a midfield position now we've brought in some real quality in that dept. Overall, Coates is too shrewd to risk anything other than a pay-as-you-play deal for a player prone to injury. Also, if Rodgers offers him a deal, the emotional pull alone seems more likely to see Owen return there.”

“Has someone finally got through to Pulis. If you take his words as read the key elements are possession, passing and taking chances - something we have failed to do consistently in the Prem. Then to achieve that we need Adam, Nzonzi and a fit Owen upfront with Crouch. This means Walters has to be dropped - Etherington, Kightly wide and I see Cameron possibly tried at RB to give us a bit more quality on the right flank - the Q mark is still hanging over LB as Wilson again was exposed at Wigan for the second goal - he got skint by one ball and we flogged a bad goal defensively - which LB's are free agents then ? That would leave Palacios Whitehead Whelan Delap and Wilson covering in midfield - Pennant as wing cover and Walters/Sidibe as striker cover. But Adam looks already like a Pulis life-saver - complete breath of fresh air - can we capitalize on the additional possession we are getting to get ?”