20 comments

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  Matthew Jones

  11 months ago

  "There’s a clear gap in talent between Hull and Stoke City, so expect the Tigers to be closer to safety than the basement."
  
  Are you from another planet? Did you watch any Championship football last season? Evidently not!
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  Phil

  11 months ago

  Yes a clear gap in talent.
  Stoke were a bunch of bullies last season. The tigers played some quality football. Stoke have not really signed anyone of note- Kitson will struggle to score goals with no service. Hull have signed players with proven Premier League pedigree. One more striker and a few tweaks and the tigers will be capable of staying clear of relegation.
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  Michael

  11 months ago

  Matthew, the additions of Geovanni, Gardner, Mendy, and Boateng are better than what Stoke has been able to put together so far. Those four players all have top-flight experience and are solid players, while Kitson struggled to start at Reading when Doyle and Lita were both healthy.
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  David Jaye

  11 months ago

  Given Stoke City lost (5) away games last season compared with the (10) lost by Hull City, I know which club I'd be backing to pick up those vital away points.
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  Todd

  11 months ago

  the whole premise of your intro is interesting, but you dont explain how its true in the article. ive heard this mentioned before (on a certain world soccer show)...but never really understood. sure there are various guaranteed payments that come with winning that game, but when you say "when its all said and done" that implies its an eventual sum. well if united got 120k lifelong fans after winning the champions league, and they buy a home shirt for the next 10 years, that win will prove to be more valuable "when its all said and done". its a fine point to make that its an important game, but the giants superbowl win will do more for their franchise than hull city becoming the odds on relegation favorites.
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  Mike - Manchester

  11 months ago

  Gap in talent? The way Stoke are the stand-out under-dogs is laughable. Stoke did bully sides last season, but Pulis is a wise manager and understands the need for quality this season. Do you really think players like Glenn Whelan and Liam Lawrence are there to bully teams? The fact of the matter is that Pulis recognised what it takes to get out of that league. Besides, Lawrence has more talent in one boot than the entire Hull outfit.
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  Mike - Manchester

  11 months ago

  $120,000,000 is the prize money from extra revenue over the course of 2 seasons. The majority is from TV rights. If Hull/Stoke/West Brom get relegated next season they keep a 'parachute package' which helps towards the boosted wage bill.
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  GAZZA

  11 months ago

  I PERSONALY DONT SEE WHY THERE IS ALL THIS NEGATIVITY AGAINST STOKE WHEN PHIL"THE ORANGE" BROWN HAS GOT alot more to prove than pulis at least stoke went up with out going through the play offs so that speaks volumes ,lets see at the end of the season , hull are panic buying to avoid the humiliation of relegation oh what a joy to see mr oranges colour drain
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  James

  11 months ago

  "...a clear gap in talent....". Do any of these journos actually go to any football matches?! Don't mistake unfashionable for untalented, Stokes tactics last season composed of an ability to do what was needed when necessary (hence the auto promotion). Whilst not carrying the same prodigious talent as some premier league teams, tactically Pulis' team has shown an astuteness that lacked elsewhere in the Championship. It will not be plain sailing for any of the newly promoted teams but to write off teams before a ball is kicked is just plain daft, and this 'countdown to the top' is completely pointless, mere speculation at best.
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  Andy

  11 months ago

  What all the Stokies on here are failing to recognise is that they pipped Hull for the second auto spot with a game to go.. You hardly panned them over a season did you?
  
  If the gap between 2nd and 3rd had been of the margin of 10-15 points then i'd concede that Stoke were significantly the better team. It wasn't, so you're not!
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  Michael

  11 months ago

  Todd, the playoff final isn't about raising a club's profile necessarily -- yes, it gets the club into the Premiership, but my point was that it's the most single profitable game in the world, any sport.
  
  You make a point about Manchester United that's interesting and could well be true, but that wasn't what I'm saying. Manchester United's Champions League title could lead to more money than Hull will make; everyone will want to buy United merchandise now that they're European champions. But the fact is, they actually have to go out and buy the stuff, so the game itself doesn't make the club as much money. For winning the playoff final, all that money is guaranteed for Hull, even if they don't sell a single shirt or highlight DVD or whatever else. See what I'm saying?
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  Michael

  11 months ago

  And James, I'll refer you to comment #3. With the additions Hull has made this summer, there is now a clear gap in talent between Hull and Stoke.
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  Todd

  11 months ago

  ok michael, but you have to admit its not worded that way...to say when its all said and done implies the eventualities i laid out.
  
  but heres perhaps another novice question...how is that single win different than any other? just because its a playoff (one off)? for example, when the 17th and 18th teams in the prem play on the last day of the season, isnt that match worth the same value? surely we all know by now that a win in november counts the same as a win in may?
  
  could you say that after that playoff match, one team stands to win 120m and the other does not? sure. but doesnt any team who avoids relegation get guaranteed that same amount? its the TV rights for being in the prem, plus a parachute correct? i guess i just dont like the concept of that match being such a high profile game...seems more something for bloggers and radio hosts to talk about, but everyone must understand its a novelty.
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  Matt

  11 months ago

  All I can say is that if the author believes Hull will be playing Windass as a lone striker this season then he is seriously deluded.
  
  I also doubt Hull's spending is over, Brown is clearly in the hunt for a forward having tried to sign Davies from Bolton and whoever he gets in will be a key player.
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  Michael

  11 months ago

  Todd, again, I see what you're saying, but I think you're sort of missing the point. Also, the way I worded it originally in my article is fine, I'm not sure what's wrong with it.
  
  TV money for being in the Premiership is, on average, 45 times more than it is for being in the Championship ($90 million yearly compared to $2 million). Winning the playoff final is different from winning any other game because it's worth all that money for the winner. The loser gets nothing except another year in the Championship with small transfer and wage budgets and little TV exposure. The winner gets the glitz and glamour of Premiership life and $120 million guaranteed.
  
  A win in November does count the same in May, you're right, I never argued with you there. But winning this playoff final is more important than winning a game in November.
  
  You're correct in saying that any team who avoids relegation gets that same amount, but it isn't worth as much to them having already been in the league. For a Championship team, it's worth that much more. If they get relegated, they get $13 million in each of the next two seasons, plus the TV money.
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  Michael

  11 months ago

  Matt, that's why I said Fagan and Folan will play up top as well at times.
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  Todd

  11 months ago

  sorry michael im afraid it doesnt make any sense to say that for a team to stay up, it doesnt mean as much than a team to be promoted. it LITERALLY means the same thing. im not going to argue though.
  
  and lastly, to say "when its all said and done" implies that when everything is over and we look at the situation, this will be the result. all things considered. after the dust blows over. etc etc...my point is just as valid that 'when its all said and done' theres some matches out there that will be more valuable than 120m.
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  Michael

  11 months ago

  Todd, it doesn't mean the same thing! Can't you see that? Clubs consistently make $90 million by staying in the Premiership, but clubs that make $2 million in the Championship suddenly rocket up to $120 million by winning that playoff final! See my point yet? To that one team who makes it, it means more. They had just about nothing, and after one game, it's like they went to heaven without dying. Bad example, maybe, but I can't explain my point any other way than what I've done so far.
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  Todd

  11 months ago

  but then you are comparing...again, you make poor examples. i wont get you to admit you are wrong, nor do i want you to. but face it, that game isnt the biggest match in sports........
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  Neil..StokeCityPremierLeague

  10 months ago

  Michael,
  RE comment #3. With the additions Hull has made this summer, there is now a clear gap in talent between Hull and Stoke.
  
  Without being disrespectful to Hull City (as I genuinely wish them all the best for the forthcoming season) they haven't signed anyone yet that I would like Stoke to have signed.
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