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Performance Loan Watch

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Football Chap said:
Donley not in the Stoke squad again 😡
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I guess if this carries on through November and December we can recall him in the January window?
Is this a clash of personalities or something else. He had a decent loan at Leyton orient. Maybe he’s one of those players who thrives off being near home.

So wonder if somewhere more local like QPR or even Stevenage would take him. Maybe playing / training with Harvey White would be a good mentor for him.
Stevenage are pushing for promotion so the pressure is on at the Lamex.

There’s a thin line between being a premier league player and making your career work in the lower leagues. He’s going to reach a crossroads soon.
 
WillWilliams said:
I guess if this carries on through November and December we can recall him in the January window?
Is this a clash of personalities or something else. He had a decent loan at Leyton orient. Maybe he’s one of those players who thrives off being near home.

So wonder if somewhere more local like QPR or even Stevenage would take him. Maybe playing / training with Harvey White would be a good mentor for him.
Stevenage are pushing for promotion so the pressure is on at the Lamex.

There’s a thin line between being a premier league player and making your career work in the lower leagues. He’s going to reach a crossroads soon.
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It is looking like a recall although we were saying that in this thread at the end of Nov last season at Orient after he was left out the squad 4 times in 5 games and then it just all suddenly clicked in to place. It's apparently Stoke's best start to a 2nd tier season in 47 years so can understand them not chucking him in if they don't think he's quite there. Still have a lot of belief in him, best passer we've produced since Kane but obviously the pace of the higher tiers is a big hurdle.
 
On the flip side, Phillips is now doing really well, had a run of top performances in a flying Stoke team. Him and Vuskovic are both comfortable playing that middle CB role if we might move to a back 5 next season with all the CB depth we have, got to be tempting.
 
Football Chap said:
It is looking like a recall although we were saying that in this thread at the end of Nov last season at Orient after he was left out the squad 4 times in 5 games and then it just all suddenly clicked in to place. It's apparently Stoke's best start to a 2nd tier season in 47 years so can understand them not chucking him in if they don't think he's quite there. Still have a lot of belief in him, best passer we've produced since Kane but obviously the pace of the higher tiers is a big hurdle.
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Just needs some game time really this season. Fair play to Stoke. I wonder who the favourites were in this league on day 1. Doubt it was them.
18th last season.

And still good to see that Phillips is starting regularly now.
 
Phillips did 90 as Stoke won 3-0 away to go second, 4 points off top.
Obvs Lanks failed to score and was taken off on 76. Oxford down to 19th.
Hall also subbed on 76 as County lose 2-0 to Utd.
 
Football Chap said:
On the flip side, Phillips is now doing really well, had a run of top performances in a flying Stoke team. Him and Vuskovic are both comfortable playing that middle CB role if we might move to a back 5 next season with all the CB depth we have, got to be tempting.
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All true - but Phillips was judged by most Stoke fans last season as their best defender, and one of best in the Championship.

However this season, new signings and maybe they looked good in their preseason but either way Phillips started this season on bench ...... and as Stoke started brightly, Phillips stayed on bench for some time. Think it might have been an injury before he got his first minutes and has been in the team ever since and rated highly.

I suspect Donley had same problem - manager had decided on starting X1 before he arrived (probably despite what was discussed pre loan that he would get opportunities) and he's not had players in his position miss matches and allowing him opportunities to shine. Plus its a jump in quality rom L1 to Championship which might take a few matches to adjust too , and manager should be helping him with ...... but there is no sign that he is.

Given Spurs ongoing injury issues, its a shame that rules allowing recalls went a few years ago, I think we could make use of him both as a no 10 but he's not scared to put his foot in, so could play as CM...... although Ange using him as a LB in preseason may not be something to pursue.
 
YANGPORTSMOUTHCHAMPSATNov 8HULLA12:30
DEVINEPNECHAMPSATNov 8MILLWALLA12:30
VUSKOVICHAMBURGGERSATNov 8DORTMUNDH14:30
LANKSHEAROXFORD UTDCHAMPSATNov 8WBAA15:00
DONLEYSTOKECHAMPSATNov 8COVENTRYH15:00
PHILLIPSSTOKECHAMPSATNov 8COVENTRYH15:00
AJAYIDONCASTER RL1SATNov 8BARNSLEYH15:00
SOLOMONVILLAREALLA LIGASATNov 8ESPANYOLA20:00
 
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