It's a rollercoaster ride supporting Stoke City, and October 2002 most be one of the worst months in the history of the club for the suffering supporters. When it started with a 1-1 draw at home to Crystal Palace, stretching the unbeaten record to 5 games, who could have foreseen the horrors around the corner. First Cotterill decided he was too big for the club and buggered off to Sunderland because he was "ambitious". Stoke promptly lost their next four matches under caretaker Dave Kevan while the search for a successor seemed frustrating slow and fruitless. Suddenly yesterday rumours claimed it was likely that Tony Pulis was set to be manager, plunging the Stokies into depression, but then in rode George Burley like a knight to the rescue and the depression changed to elation. Burley watched the game against Watford and all was looking good.

But of course it's Stoke City we are dealing with here, and while all the media sources were confidently assuring us that Burley was indeed the next manager at Stoke, the fans were always going to be edgy until he was formally unveiled and the contract signed. In true Stoke cock-up fashion that didn't happen. The expected announcement at a 12:30 press conference plunged into farce as Burley turned us down at the last minute with the club certain they had got their man. Once more it was time for the depression to set in for the fans.

I cannot blame the majority of the board members here. They worked hard to bring in a respected and talented manager. Burley is by far the best unemployed manger around and it is a mystery to me why Ipswich sacked him. If he had come to Stoke it would have been a major coup. I'm sure from what has been said, the deal was as good as sealed until something changed Burley's mind at the death.

He has been quoted as saything that he could not commit to Stoke. Clearly the Board were offering him a long term deal, but Burley must have thought that should Stoke be relegated he wouldn't want to be lumbered with a 2nd Division team to manage, something that would not reflect well on his career. You also get the impression that he wants to manage a Premiership side, and sadly thinks it will be easier waiting until such a job offer comes up rather than trying to get Stoke up. Well disappointing for us, but at least he is honest and has told us now rather than disappearing at the first opportunity to manage in the Premiership. Stoke need stability and they need someone who can take develop and improve Stoke over several years. The Board will be as devastated about this decision as much as the fans. Burley was the man who could possibly shape a Stoke side fit for the Premiership. Now they have to go back to the drawing board and start the search again, while any candidate now will seem a disappointment against what might have been.

On the very same day, St Modwen's issue a demand for unpaid rents and threaten Stoke with a winding-up order. The timing was so unbelievably poor that you'd almost think it is a deliberate and spiteful move to put off a potential saviour like Burley. For Stoke to move on (and attract managers of Burley's calibre) we have to get our finances in order. To do this we need to remove the deadly duo of Coates and Humphries, as they contribute nothing to the cause, but just enjoy the high life at the club's expense. They are a clear obstacle to attracting any further investment, and they have to go. Until they do Stoke will just stagger from one crisis to another. I hope that November sees an upturn in fortunes, but the way things are going I can see a fifth straight defeat at Walsall.

AndyP 31/10/02