Hausordnung und Impressum » the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign. His be

Much has been written in the last few days about players changing addresses but in the English top flight we are currently experiencing an unprecedented time with the amount of changes in the dugout. Incredibly, 15 of the current 20 bosses in charge of Premier League teams did not have their current position at the end of the 2011-12 season. To put it a different way, 75 per cent of them have been in their job for fifteen months or less and only 25 per cent of the current crop of managers have been in charge for more than one full season heading into this campaign. Despite high-profile changes coming at many of the big clubs, it is hard to think of a change that has prompted so much talk of a new style than the one made by Stoke City owner Peter Coates this summer. The decision to relieve former manager Tony Pulis of his job was a polarizing one, with many believing the Welshman had overachieved by keeping Stoke in the Premier League for five successive seasons. During his time in the top flight, Pulis was known for bringing a physical, long ball style, one that was far from fashionable in a world where everyone now wants to copy Barcelona. However, it is not a fun sport if all teams play the same so there was nothing wrong with being brave enough to try something different at Stoke, provided it remained successful. Over the last five seasons Stoke never finished below 14th but last season the Potters showed no signs of improvement and in fact posted their worst ever points total (42), goals scored (34) and total wins (9) during their five year run in the Premier League. After a net spend of close to 80 million pounds during that time (more than the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham) it was apparent that Coates felt his team wasnt getting better when they should have been. Those fully behind Pulis and his style didnt change their tune when he was replaced with what seemed an underwhelming choice in Mark Hughes, who was sacked last November after a shambolic time as Queens Park Rangers manager. Hughes, though, jumped at the chance to manage in the Premier League again and knew from the moment he took charge the mandate in terms of his style, announcing: "It will take time, on occasions we will make mistakes but if we want to play in a certain way then thats what we have to do." It is important to note that Hughes, despite having once played at Barcelona, is no Pep Guardiola when it comes to possession-based tactics. In fact, when in charge at Blackburn he guided Rovers to a 0-0 draw at Arsenal in an FA Cup match and afterwards spoke about what Cesc Fabregas said to him as he left the field. "When we shook hands at the end, the young man asked me a question which I thought was disrespectful. He asked me if I had played for Barcelona and when I said yes, he shook his head as if in disbelief. Then he said, Well, that wasnt Barcelona football." No one will expect Hughes to bring that style of football to the Britannia but with strong, physical, players, lacking overall technical quality, it could be easy for him to fall closer to the ways Pulis adopted, but its clear he and the Stoke board feel very strongly things need to change. Early signs from the opening three weeks of the season suggest they already have. A narrow opening day loss at Liverpool showed a different Stoke, cheered on by the away supporters signing "Were Stoke City, were passing the ball." Overall the team attempted 120 more passes than the game at Anfield last season, while their pass completion (81 per cent) was not only better than the 67 per cent in 2012-13, but better than all 19 away matches last season, by some distance. (photo: fourfourtwo.com - Click For Larger Image) A poor first half home display against Crystal Palace followed but in the second half Stoke came from behind to win 2-1. Afterwards, Hughes admitted the team was in transition: "We need to play better and we will. We have a group of players who are coming to terms with how we can play, and on other days we will be more fluid." One of those other days was Saturday at West Ham. The game was decided by a piece of individual brilliance by Jermaine Pennant from a direct free kick, but despite winning a game via a set-piece this was nothing like a team seen under Pulis. (photo: fourfourtwo.com - Click For Larger Image) Once again more passes were attempted and completed (78 per cent to 69 per cent) to the corresponding fixture last season but for those watching the game it was more than apparent , without checking the stats, just how comfortable Stoke were when in possession. Post match Hughes reflected: "Ive got a group of really solid professionals who understand what it takes to win Premier League games and, maybe in the past, they havent been given enough credit for the ability that they have. Maybe I am allowing them an opportunity to show people what good players they actually are." One of those players is central midfielder Steven NZonzi. Bought to the Premier League by current West Ham boss Sam Allardyce, while at Blackburn, the Frenchman tormented his old boss with an outstanding performance at Upton Park. (photo: fourfourtwo.com - Click For Larger Image) The 24-year-old flourished in a midfield three alongside Marc Wilson and Charlie Adam, treasuring the ball in deep areas by finding outlets close-by (rather than lumping it forward) and occasionally surging forward past West Hams outnumbered midfield duo of Mark Noble and Mohamed Diame. It was close to being a complete performance from NZonzi, who was equally impressive without the ball than he was with it. (photo: fourfourtwo.com - Click For Larger Image) The system introduced by Hughes is one that gives players like NZonzi the freedom of the park, putting trust in them to go forward and make a difference in the final third while still being able to be responsible towards their defensive duties. The results so far have been remarkable; with the midfielder contributing much more to Stokes attacking play than he did last season. (photo: fourfourtwo.com - Click For Larger Image) (photo: fourfourtwo.com - Click For Larger Image) Despite many believing Stokes approach under Pulis was not broken and didnt need to be fixed, in the last two seasons the Potters scored a putrid 28 goals from open play. Fourteen teams scored more than that just last season. It is clear Stoke need to become more comfortable with the ball while not compromising the defensive unit that has kept them in this league and, so far, Hughes seems to have found a balance. He certainly has found happy players receptive to his ways. Said Pennant: "Were getting the ball down and showing what we can do, which is a lot different to last season and the years before that. Weve got the players to do it, and this was probably one of our best away performances since Ive been here." Striker Kenwyne Jones added: ""Before we wouldnt have come here and played like that, actually dominating the home team and trying to win the game. Wed have played for percentages and hoped that something would come off. "It is a different approach to take the game to West Ham. Weve had the players to do that for quite a while, but you know its a different philosophy now and things are going well." NZonzi, whose transfer request earlier this summer was rejected by the club, also looks like a man transformed under Hughes. "Until you work with players on a daily basis you can underestimate their talent," Hughes said of his midfielder. "I was one who maybe didnt put Steven into the bracket of a top Premier League player. He still has faults that he has to work on, he understands that, but the way we play will bring the best out of him." Looks like the players are not the only ones discovering new things at Stoke. Terrell Edmunds Steelers Jersey . The 20-year-old Pelicans big man glanced up and smiled widely at the well-wishers -- a fitting end to a day he wont soon forget. Davis responded to his selection earlier in the day as a Western Conference All-Star with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-91 on Friday night. Mason Rudolph Jersey . His apology came before a pregame ceremony in which the team honoured its 2004 team that won Bostons first World Series championship since 1918. "I realize that I behaved bad in Boston," Ramirez said. http://www.steelersrookiestore.com/Steelers-Chukwuma-Okorafor-Jersey/ . The Eastern Conference-leading Celtics finished their recent trek at 3-1 on Monday in Salt Lake City when Rajon Rondo made a key jumper with 24.1 seconds remaining, as Boston held off the Utah Jazz, 107-102, at EnergySolutions Arena. Morgan Burnett Jersey . The former Toronto FC designated player played three of his 15 professional seasons with the team. Jon Bostic Jersey . To get things started, heres a little photo tour to get you acquainted with all the main characters.BROSSARD, Que. -- Tomas Plekanec doesnt draw a lot of Selke Trophy votes as the NHLs best defensive forward, but coach Michel Therrien thinks he ought to. "He should be a serious candidate for sure," Therrien said Monday of his best two-way centre. "He does so many good things on the ice. "When we ask him to play against the other teams top lines, he always does the job and he can contribute on offence too." Plekanec and his right winger, captain Brian Gionta, play regularly against the top lines in the NHL. More often than not, the matchup works in Montreals favour. The 31-year-old Czech was at the top of his game in a 2-1 win on Saturday night over the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. His unit with veteran Travis Moen on left wing for the night went up against the Blackhawks top line of 2013 Selke winner Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp. Plekanec got 19:36 of ice time, won 56 per cent of his faceoffs and had 11 shots on goal, although he failed to register a point. And Hossa made a sweet move to score in the third period, so Plekanec and his linemates ended the night at minus-1, despite playing perhaps their strongest game of the season. Plekanec said facing top centres, most of whom are much bigger than his five-foot-11 195-pound frame, has been his job for many years and he doesnt think about winning awards for it. "When you go on the ice against those guys you know that your job is to keep them as quiet as possible and try to get their focus on something else than scoring goals," he said. "Thats been my job for quite a few years here -- being a strong guy at both ends of the ice -- but its not up to me to decide that and its not really where my focus is. My focus is on winning the Stanley Cup with Montreal. Its nice to hear, but its not up to me." Despite his many scoring chances, Plekanec ended a three-game points streak. He has 14 goals and 14 assists and is plus-9 in 46 games this season, a little below his 33 points in 47 games in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign. His best season was 70 points in 2009-10, but since then he has had more emphasis placed on his two-way game, with time on the second power play unit, and he has settled into a 50-plus points player. "When were good on defence, offence comes out of it," he said. "It think the main reason behind so many scoring chances last game is that we were so strong defensively. "We didnt get stuck in our own zone and we were good on the forecheck. Thats how you get offence." He is also on the first penalty killing unit with Moen on a teamm that ranks third in the league with an 86.dddddddddddd4 per cent kill rate. Now he hopes the team can reproduce that effort when it plays host to the much less powerful attack of the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night. The 26-15-5 Canadiens have tended to play up or down to their competition this season, which has made for some embarrassing defeats as well as uplifting wins like that against Chicago. The Devils (19-18-10) are coming off a 3-2 shootout loss to Toronto and have points in four straight games. "Weve got to find that consistency in our team play," said Plekanec. "I dont think weve been able to find it yet this year. "Its a good opportunity to come out strong against Jersey. Theyre a good team too, even if theyre not as high in the standings. Weve been playing good games and bad games. Were in a good spot in the standings and thats something we can be happy about, but we have to find a way to be better consistently." It appears Therrien will keep Moen on Plekanecs line. The gritty six-foot-two winger has played mostly on checking lines this season and has only one goal in 41 games. While fans sometimes dont appreciate what Moen brings to the game, Therrien said he is the kind of player that coaches like. "He doesnt do anything spectacular, but his positioning is good, he wins battles on the boards, he understands the game," said Therrien. "For me, Travis is having a good season. "Hes very respected by his teammates. We gave him a nice challenge on Saturday and he had a good game." A concern for Montreal is how its power play, which was scoring regularly early in the season, has sputtered. It has been without a goal in 14 chances over the last four games and has produced only six goals in the last 21. The team has been working on adjustments to a power play that may have become too dependent on setting up shots from the point, particularly from P.K. Subban. "Maybe we have to make some down-low plays instead of trying to feed P.K. for a shot because everyone knows he has a strong one-timer, but if we start making other plays, then things will open up for him again," said Plekanec. Plekanec is also gearing up to play for the Czech Republic at the Sochi Olympics, where hell serve as team captain. One of his teammates will be 42-year-old Peter Nedved, who has been playing in the Czech league since leaving the NHL in 2007. "He plays really well on the big ice and hes suited to that game, so I think hes going to be a pretty good asset," said Plekanec. "I think a lot of people will be surprised at how well hes going to play." Cheap Celtics Jerseys Wholesale Nets Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap Stitched 76ers Jerseys Raptors Jerseys China Cheap Bulls Jerseys Wholesale Cavaliers Jerseys Pistons Jerseys China Pacers Jerseys China Cheap Bucks Jerseys Online Wholesale Hawks Jerseys Cheap Hornets Jerseys Wholesale Heat Jerseys Cheap Magic Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Wizards Jerseys Nuggets Jerseys China Timberwolves Jerseys China Cheap Thunder Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Blazers Jerseys Wholesale Jazz Jerseys Cheap Warriors Jerseys For Sale Cheap Clippers Jerseys Lakers Jerseys China Wholesale Suns Jerseys Cheap Kings Jerseys Authentic Cheap Mavericks Jerseys Rockets Jerseys China Cheap Grizzlies Jerseys Wholesale Pelicans Jerseys Spurs Jerseys China ' ' '