Potters to travel to Croatia

Today at the Uefa Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round draw in Nyce, Switzerland, Stoke City were drawn against Croatian side HNK Hajduk Split. 


The clash will prove a stern test for the European newcomers, as Hajduk Split are an extremely experienced in European competitions  and they also finished 2nd in the Croatian league last season. Split have won the Prva HNL 6 times in their history and have also reached the Quarter-final stage of the Uefa Champions League 3 times. 

"It's a fantastic draw for us and an occasion that every single one of us are looking forward to," Tony Pulis told the Club's official website.

"Hajduk Split are a hugely renowned football club with great tradition in European competitions; and it's also a lovely city for our supporters to go out and visit.

"It would be absolutely fantastic to get a full house at the Britannia Stadium and get the place rocking as we host European football here for the first ever time."

The first leg of the tie will take place at the Britannia Stadium on Thursday, July 28th, with the return leg at the 35,000 capacity Stadion Poljud taking place seven days later on Thursday, August 4th.

Transfer News: Hammers accept bid for Cole

West Ham have accepted a bid of around £4million from Stoke for striker Carlton Cole. According to Stoke chairman Peter Coates, the club are close on the signing of Cole and personal terms are ready to be discussed.

Potters chairman Peter Coates told Sky Sports News,"We have agreed a deal with West Ham, that's done, it's now about agreeing with Carlton and his agent." He also reveled that Stoke manager Tony Pulis, is a fan of the former England international and has tried and failed, to sign him on several occasions, "I think we have tried to sign him about three times over the last few years without succeeding. Maybe we'll get somewhere this year."

Cole joined West Ham in 2006 from Chelsea, and in five years at the club has played 165 times, scoring 42 goals for the Hammers. However, Cole scored just 5 league goals last season as West Ham were relegated to the Championship. Cole is eager to return to the Premier League, and now just personal terms stand in his way.

Transfer News: Pulis makes Woodgate his first summer signing

Stoke City have today completed the signing of England defender, Jonathan Woodgate. 


The 31-year-old former Leeds United, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur defender has signed a one year contract with the Potters but hopes to extend that stay into a second year if he proves his fitness at the Britannia Stadium. Woodgate has signed on a free transfer after being released by Tottenham Hotspur.   


Woodgate has been handed the chance to stay in the Premier League and revive his career that has been beset by injury problems in recent years.
City's Chief Executive Tony Scholes commented, "There is no doubt that we have acquired a player with outstanding quality and experience but he is one who has clearly struggled with injuries over the past two years," 
"However, sometimes a fresh start can trigger a change of fortunes. Jonathan has been working very hard throughout the summer on his fitness so he is desperate to make the most of this opportunity and to play in the Premier League."
Woodgate will link up with his new team-mates later this week when they return from their pre-season training camp in Austria. Woodgate will be reunited with a former Middlesbrough team-mate Robert Huth at Stoke, the pair played together at the heart Middlesbrough's defence when they were in the Premier League five years ago.


Speaking from Stoke's training camp in Austria, manager Tony Pulis said: "The lad is a top class player and it's been well documented that he has had his injury troubles, but we believe that if his fitness is managed properly, he will play games for us. We know that other Premier League clubs were keen on signing Jonathan, so we are delighted he has chosen us. It's a chance we are taking, but one we were keen to take because of the stature and quality of the player." He also added: "We've effectively taken him on a pay-as-you-play deal which just shows how desperate the lad is to get his career back on the right track." 

Woodgate enjoyed a successful 5 year spell with Leeds United between the years 1998 and 2003, before moving on to Newcastle United and then had two year stint with Real Madrid. 

After returning to the England with his hometown club Middlesbrough, he joined Tottenham in a £7 million deal in January 2008 and was a key figure in the following season when they recovered from a disastrous start to finish eighth in the Premier League. He also scored the winning goal for Spurs, to win their first trophy since 1999, after Spurs beat Chelsea in the 2008 Carling Cup final.

Woodgate has won eight international caps with England, the first of which came back in Kevin Keegan's reign in 1999 while he was at Leeds. His fine form for hometown club Middlesbrough earned him a recall in February 2007.

My Opinion: In my opinion I think that Woodgate is a fantastic signing for the Potters. With his contract being a pay-as-you-play deal, there is no real risk and so its a win - win situation. Woodgate will bring excellent experience to Stoke with his international experience, as well as his club experience with the likes of Tottenham and Real Madrid. If we can keep him fit, I think he will provide fantastic cover, with our European campaign coming up. 

“Last season some of their football was thoroughly entertaining.” - Southgate defends Stoke's style

Gareth Southgate has praised the methods with which Tony Pulis has brought success to Stoke, and insists that the manager's style of football does not conflict with the technical development he is seeking to bring out in youngsters across the country.


The former Middlesbrough manager is now the FA’s head of elite development, and is in the process of trying to revolutionise the way children play and learn the game at grassroots level, following widespread criticism of the technical deficiencies of senior English players.


“I have known Tony Pulis a long time. His football is geared to getting results. It's all about winning football,” Southgate told The Sentinel. “Who can argue with what Stoke have achieved over the last five years – promotion, Premier League stability, an FA Cup final and now Europe?”

The former England international also defended the technical abilities of the players at Pulis’ disposal, refuting criticism of Stoke as too direct a team.

“I know players here at Stoke such as Robert Huth, who I had at Middlesbrough, who is very comfortable coming out with the ball. And then there's Ryan Shawcross, who is very well thought of at the FA.

“Tony has put all these talents together and made the best of what they have. He has produced a winning style which suits this club down to the ground.

“Their style has developed, and at times last season some of their football was thoroughly entertaining. In Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant they have arguably the most exciting pair of wingers in the country.”

Transfer News: City hand lifeline to former England International

Stoke City have handed free agent Jonathan Woodgate a Premier League lifeline. The former Spurs centre back is in talks with manager Tony Pulis after rejecting a pay-as-you-play deal from Tottenham.

The 31 year old has suffered several long term injuries throughout his career, playing just 4 games in 2 years. Signing Woodgate would be a gamble for Pulis, but a risk he is willing to take after he is about to miss out on other defensive targets, Scott Dann and Matt Mills.

Woodgate started his career at Leeds United, who are also interested in signing the defender, however Stoke's financial muscle and Premier League status may sway the player, who played over 100 times for the club from Elland Road.

He moved to Newcastle United in 2003 for 9million, and after an impressive season at the North East side, he joined Spanish giants Real Madrid. However Woodgate was not able to impress like he did in England and moved back to his country and to his home town club, Middlesbrough. He then joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2008, with his White Hart Lane career highlight being, scoring the winning goal in the Carling Cup final win against Chelsea.

The defender would bring experience to Stoke side and provide vital cover ahead of the new season.

 

Transfer News: Third time lucky for the Potters?

Having missed out on signing Wes Brown and John O'shea from Manchester United, both signing for Sunderland, Stoke are attempting to try one last time to sign one of their targets from Manchester United.

Stoke are reportedly interested in signing 23 year old midfielder, Darron Gibson from the Premier League champions. Stoke are being rumored to be interested in signing the Republic of Ireland international after his move to Sunderland appeared to be in doubt, as the Black Cats do not want to pay his 40k a week wages.

However, Stoke are also unlikely to want to pay his 40k a week wages, therefore a loan deal for Gibson may be proposed by the Potters.

In total, Gibson has made 58 appearances for the Red Devils scoring 10 goals. He has also played 16 times for the Republic of Ireland.

Transfer News: Potters linked with United duo

Stoke City have  been linked with a double swoop for Manchester United pair, Wes Brown and John O'Shea by the Mirror. Boss, Tony Pulis is reportedly keen on a double deal for the pair, and would like to strike a deal within the region of £8million. 


The agent of O'shea has been in contact with Stoke in relation to a move, and is now weighing up his options. Whilst Brown is a target for other Premier League clubs including Aston Villa, Everton and Sunderland - who have held talks with the former England international, however with rumors of the talks stalling, Stoke are ready to move in.


The pair will bring experience to Stoke, who will need to add cover to their squad ahead of their Europa League campaign, as well as for the start of the new Premier League season which starts in just over a months time.