So what exactly has changed a season and a half later? Well Stoke had a mid-table finish last season that surprised many, and look set to repeat that feat this season. But other than that, not much. Many of my concerns still linger, and if anything have got deeper. I could accept a negative style of play as a means to an end in a relegation battle. But for a club habouring hopes of a place-off place, it's not on, nor is it value for money for the fan unfortunate enough to be subjected to such "entertainment".

The 2003/04 Season, Pulis' first full season in charge, got off to a flyer with a 3-0 victory away at Derby County, and there were encouraging signs as the new signings gelled together well in a determined fashion. Pulis' additions to the squad looked shrewd, and who would have expected the likes of Ed de Goey to come to a side like Stoke? The next game was in fact a friendly against Manchester United at the Britannia which produced a deserved shock 3-1 win against moaning Sir Alex and his team. What followed was another hard working, well organised 2-1 win at the Britannia against Wimbledon. A couple draws later meant a steady start to the season, before suffering three defeats on the bounce. Yet optimism was back when Stoke beat much-fancied Sunderland 3-1 at home.

There were other great highlights in this season like the magical Hoekstra hat-trick against Reading as we beat them 3-0 at home, and despite blips like the 6-3 defeat away at eventually promoted Crystal Palace, we had other memorable displays like thumping West Bromwich Albion 4-1, just as they were celebrating promotion to the Premiership. So overall it was a satisfying season, with a 11th placed finish, which many may not have expected, certainly not the pundits who had predicted a season of struggle near the bottom. However there were frustrations all the same, negative displays crept in, and we finished only a few points short of a play-off spot. I felt it was a very average Division, and a little more positivism may have seen us make up those lost points, and book a top six berth. Many were happy with the first full season under Pulis' command, and he was applauded loudly as he ambled around the pitch following the last game of the season, a dire, negative 0-0 draw against Gillingham. It was a step in the right direction, for sure, but I felt there was a degree of missed opportunity, and the concern about over-cautious tactics still troubled me.

Before the current season started we lost Hoekstra to retirement and Commons to Nottingham Forest. Any concerns I had that we might lack the creativity to produce chances seemed a tad rash as we started the season extremely well, topping the table for a spell, winning four and drawing two of the opening six league fixtures before a 3-0 defeat away at Preston. The team was showing fight and character, no more so than in the 3-2 home win over Ipswich, as we came from behind twice and nicked an unlikely winner despite being reduced to ten men! Pulis was untouchable. Even his initially ardent critics were beginning to eat humble pie and back him heartily.

But after that flying start, it's quickly gone down hill. We may currently have one of the meanest defences in the Division, but we have the poorest goal-scoring record. A wrangle over a new contract has seemingly soured the relationship with the Board, and some of the fans. A promise of £2 million to spend on players has not yet been honoured, many claiming the Board's unwillingness to part with the cash stems from Pulis' delaying putting pen to paper. But most of the initial good will from the fans has departed recently mainly due to the simply turgid displays they have had to witness on the pitch. Bemoaning a shortage of quality players, Pulis has now made negative football his trademark at Stoke. I first saw the first seeds of this sown away at a very average Leeds Utd, as an ultra negative performance smacked of deliberately playing for a 0-0 draw, when any mildly adventurous teams were leaving Elland Road with all three points. A side hoping for a play-off spot should be looking to win at places like that. "Safety first " may be acceptable away from home, especially against the better sides, but lately this negative approach has become a feature of games at the Britannia. We have become specialists in the 1-0 scoreline, usually a defeat! While we are solid at the back, the predictable tactic of lumping the long ball for Akinbiyi to chase has been sussed out by opponents, and we desperately lack quality service to our forward line. To add to the boredom levels, Pulis has played the second striker so deep he's a midfielder, while employing two strikers out of position on the wing. The result is a dearth of chances created even at home, an inability to score, and a tendency to produce the dullest football I've seen at Stoke in a very long time. I'm not alone. The recent BBC Radio Stoke " Praise and Grumble" show has been inundated with Stokies ringing in to complain of the "garbage" they are forced to watch these days. Winning is important and people will accept negative tactics if it produces results, but for me I like to be entertained too for my money, and the current offerings from Mr Pulis do very little to tempt me down the motorway to watch Stoke.

Pulis maintains we are two quality players short of a very good side. I think we are decent enough team already, in a very average Division full of teams we need not fear. A change of tactics, and ditching the negative approach would have seen us pick up more points, and be hovering in or around the play-offs. At the moment we are in danger of slipping down into the ugly end of the table. If Pulis gets his new players, maybe we'll see if the recent trend can be reversed, and a surge up the table comes. But I'm not sure it will. Let's see what 2005 brings. He may be a man for stability and solidity, but I just don't see him as the man who can ultimately lead Stoke City to its aspirations of playing Premiership football. He displays a lack of tactical awareness far too often, and in addition there are questionable decisions like his choice of captain, and his utilising players out of position. At this moment in time I really don't care if he signs that contract or not. And that speaks volumes. It will take something very special to make me change my mind.

Get That Kit Off!

Time for another whinge! After the wonderful retro design home kit of last season, which was one of best for a long time, the new Puma kit is the worst since the 1984/5 pin-stripes debacle! There's far too much white in it for me, I never liked white socks anyway, but with the narrow stripes and excess white, the whole ensemble looks pink at distance! I won't be getting a home shirt this season, and feel sick when I see the lads running around the pitch in it. I like my red stripes few and thick, and white socks you can leave with the Vale! Roll on next season!

AndyP 08/01/05