Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has written a letter which has been posted to more than 20,000 season-ticket holders thanking them for their support and urging them to renew for next season. He says he and his family feel the pain from a "desperately disappointing campaign" and re-iterates their commitment as owners of Stoke City. He also reassures supporters that the club is in good shape to take on whatever next season throws up. His letter in full reads: "I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere thanks for the support you have given the club throughout the 2017/18 season. "There's no escaping the fact that it has been a desperately disappointing campaign by the standards we have set ourselves since being promoted to the Premier League in 2008, but we have six games remaining to shape our immediate destiny. "My family and I have shared your disappointment and feel the pain of losing as intensely as anyone who holds Stoke City close to their hearts. However, please … [Read more...] about We remain committed to Stoke City says chairman of Premier League strugglers
Premier league
Jordan and Archer set for Sussex head-to-head in Indian Premier League
There's a Sussex showdown in the offing in the Indian Premier League on Monday. Chris Jordan is set to play for the Sunrisers Hyderabad against the Rajasthan Royals, who are due to have Jofra Archer in their ranks for the huge T20 tournament.The 23-year-old Archer was signed by Rajasthan for £800,000 in the IPL auction earlier this year - that despite having no previous IPL or international experience.The Sunrisers team also includes England’s Alex Hales and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson. The Royals team includes England duo Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes.A team can play a maximum of four overseas players.The match will start at 3.30pm our time on Monday.This will be the first season in the IPL for Archer, but Jordan made his debut in 2016 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, taking 11 wickets in nine matches and best figures of 4/11, which came against the Gujarat Lions. He was signed by the then defending champions, the Sunrisers, last year, but played only one match in … [Read more...] about Jordan and Archer set for Sussex head-to-head in Indian Premier League
‘They are safe in the Premier League’
Leicester manager Claude Puel has praised the work done by counterpart Rafa Benitez at Newcastle this season. The two teams face each other at the King Power Stadium on Saturday and Puel believes the Magpies already have their Premier League place assured under the Spaniard. Benitez got Newcastle promoted back to the top flight by winning the Championship title last season and the club are 12th in the table, seven points clear of relegation trouble with seven games remaining. Puel thinks the Magpies will be able to play without pressure on Saturday and that this makes them a dangerous proposition. “I think Benitez has made a great job all season,” said Puel. “It is always difficult to go down into the Championship and to go up after just one season is fantastic. “It is tough in the Championship, 24 teams and they are all battles. I think it was fantastic job to save his place in the Premier League just one season after is fantastic. “Congratulations … [Read more...] about ‘They are safe in the Premier League’
Is this the game to secure Newcastle’s Premier League safety? Questions for Rafa Benitez
Newcastle United travel to Leicester City tomorrow knowing that three points could all but secure their Premier League status. It’s the first time the Magpies have travelled to the King Power Stadium since Rafa Benitez’s first game in charge back in March 2016 - which they lost 1-0. United go into the game in great form - beaten only twice in the 11 games and find themselves 12th on 35 points. Leicester City are just above them in the form table - having lost only once in the last five games. Benitez will be facing the press this afternoon - here are five key issues. Is this the game to secure Newcastle’s Premier League status? Rafa Benitez maintains that 40 points is the priority for Newcastle going into the last seven games. However with Newcastle seven points off the relegation zone, the reality is that one win will probably be enough. The question is, is Rafa Benitez looking at this game as the one to get them over the line? And if so, is he looking ahead to the … [Read more...] about Is this the game to secure Newcastle’s Premier League safety? Questions for Rafa Benitez
Stoke City’s most unpopular Premier League Xl as Tottenham head into town
With Tottenham arriving this weekend, and the hugely popular Danny Rose in tow, it got us thinking about the most unpopular Premier League Xl from Stoke’s decade in the top flight. With apologies to those overlooked, despite convincing cases... DAVID DE GEA: Simply because he never plays poorly against Stoke City and played his part in three goal-line clearances at the end of a 2-1 win for United at Old Trafford in 2014. GARY NEVILLE: Great pundit, but boy did he get up your nose as a player, not least when he carved Matty Etherington in half at the Britannia one afternoon and escaped with a yellow when a prison term was in order. DANNY ROSE: In his element back in April 2014 when over-reacting to get Shawcross sent off then shoving Geoff Cameron in the chest to get booked, when a red might have been waved, before being subbed for his own safety. He captains this Rogues' Gallery, for just this weekend. JONAS OLSSON: His caveman looks we could tolerate, but not his caveman … [Read more...] about Stoke City’s most unpopular Premier League Xl as Tottenham head into town