Guest Co-ed: Stoke still need to push on

With the signings of Cameron, Ness, Kightly and maybe Popov, Stoke have made some very clever if somewhat understated signings, but Pulis has finally signed a midfielder that is not for `the cage` and a left back who dares to venture past the half way line and who dabbles in a bit of shooting now and again.


Many fans are optimistic that this will see a change in style from the lobotomising binary season we suffered last season at the hands of the capped one. Though I still feel, along with many other fans I`m sure, that there are still positions we need to improve and hopefully remain in the Premier League for many years to come.


Jermaine Defoe is the name on most fans lips as being the perfect partner for Crouch and the much needed replacement for Forest Gump up top, natural finishing, pace and let`s face it quality is something we lack in the striking department especially after the tragic loss of Ric and I have no doubt Defoe will bring all that in abundance.


Martin Olsson is another name I would like to see on the back of the red and white striped top this coming season, he was one of the few shining lights in Blackburn`s embarrassing chicken advert of a season the Swede has pace, the ability to beat his man and can put in a good cross at the end which sadly Etherington seems to have lost. So if we can ship him back to West Ham, who seem to be buying anyone with a heartbeat and legs (actually I doubt they even need legs), and recoup some of what we paid for him then TP should seriously consider reinvesting that money in Olsson.