He was described as a 'ticking time bomb' but none of those problems have surfaced. As for Stoke, he would have been absolutely superb at the Britannia, his strength is very well suited to direct play and he is, believe it or not, technically superior to Jon Walters.
Returning to the topic of England, I would have to disagree with regard to Adam Johnson, Danny Welbeck and Kyle Walker who have cropped up in discussion. Sunderland have been hugely reliant on Johnson this season and he is a valuable impact player who will stay in the Premier League beyond this summer regardless of Sunderland's fate.
Welbeck is definitely England's youth and is a very useful player to have about. The same can't be said of Kieran Gibbs, who is (a) older than Welbeck, (b) unreliable and injury-prone and (c) a fair way behind Baines, Cole and Shaw in terms of ability.
Walker shouldn't even make the squad, he's too rough around the edges and if you want a bombing full-back then Glen Johnson is your man. Calum Chambers and Kieran Trippier should be names touted as his replacement within the next 12 months or so.
As for Milner, he can run all he likes, he is still a boring wide midfielder who just isn't as dynamic a player as the other wingers. You wouldn't see him in the squad for any other top side.
Hmm, I disagree!
Could I ask, for somebody who has been critical of Pulis in the past, how do you feel about the progress made under Hughes, and about the superb job Pulis is doing at Palace?
RE: Cat-Man, best of luck to yourself as well.
With regard to Stoke No Hopers, having been at the Britannia today, I would argue that Newcastle may be more suited to the name. Alan Pardew has got to be nearing the end if the road now, it just so happens that good spells of form under his management have been whilst Yohan Cabaye was in the dressing room - it has fallen apart both whilst he was injured last season and since his departure this year. A real motivator may be needed?
Newcastle are pretty poor when it is 11 v 11, and not, as Boxing Day 9 v14 with a cheating referee.
Now the important question, you have been to the Britania Stadium, do you have frostbite?![]()
Obviously just a co-incidence but on Boxing Day Stoke had 2 players and the manager sent off by a biased referee at Newcastle. Today Newcastle lost at Liverpool, two players sent off for Newcastle, if Newcastle lost and Stoke won Stoke would finish ninth. Stoke won at West Brom. oh and the referee at Anfield was from Stoke .![]()
Hehe, you hate Liverpool.
I just looked at Newcastle v Stoke again, I have not changed my mind.
Neither of Wheelan's tackles were bad, and after his first booking he was assaulted by Cabayae, the ref chose not to send off the Newcastle player, who was guilty of violent conduct.
Wilson was not the last defender when he gave away the penalty, a booking at the most.
Williamson was not sent off for deliberate handball when at 1-0 to Stoke he denied a goalscoring opportunity.
The ball clearly went out of play when Ben Arfa crossed for Newcastle's second goal. Do they still have linesmen? He couldn't miss it if he was doing his job.
I predicted Newcasle to go down last season, I predict they will go down 2014/2015 season, they have been poor since the turn of the year.
Sunderland will stay up if Poyet is still the manager,I think West Brom will go down instead of Sunderland,but apart from that I agree with you.I think they both will.
I say Swansea, Sunderland and the winner of the playoffs will go down.