The Wizards of Drivel - Stoke City Podcast

Stoke draw 2-2 with Man United, meaning Dave and Chris are in good spirits. There's praise all over the shop for a superb Stoke display, and chat about everything from our front three to Mike Parry's stupid head.

In addition, we have a chat with Brian Darling, author of new Stoke book 'Glory Hunter', Jason Martin delivers an academy update and James Knowles lets us know what's happening with the women's team.

Theme tune: @DIVENIREUK

Glory Hunter book: @GloryHunterBook

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Hello and welcome to The Wizards of Drivel Podcast

In the absence of Chris, Ben and any meaningful football to talk about this weekend – we’ve done something a bit different for this episode.

Joining David Cowlishaw are David Lee and Jon Mackenzie. David Lee is the author of Triffic, a biography of Tony Pulis, and 41 Shades of Grey - "The Tweet Life of Stoke City", which takes a look at last season through the lens of Twitter.

Jon is a freelance journalist and podcaster who presents the Team of John O’Sheas podcast. This summer Jon, a Leeds fan, interviewed fans of all 20 Premier League teams to gain a unique insight into the clubs of the top flight before the season got underway.

They’re joining me to discuss the manifold issues of football fandom – is there a right way to support a club? Has social media been good for football discussion? What do Stoke fans want from Stoke City and how will the nature of supporting your team change in the future?

As I say, it’s something a bit different for us – so please give us your honest feedback on Facebook on Twitter and let us know if you’d like to hear more discussions like this.

As always, 5 star iTunes reviews and shout outs on social media mean a great deal to us, so if you do enjoy it, please let everyone know.

Gooarn Stoke

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It’s a hard-earned point for The Potters at the Hawthorns….more like the BOREthorns, am I right? No?

It’s a frustrating afternoon for Stoke, as – shock horror – Tony Pulis’ side play negative, long-ball football that has the Sky audience searching for the remote. Elsewhere, Spurs can’t win at Wembley, Arsenal wilt in a high pressure game, and West Ham are still shit despite spending loads of money. I love the Premier League, so unpredictable.

Anyway, Peter Crouch’s equaliser means at least one massive British landmark won’t be silenced for the time being. So after four points from our opening three games, are we looking like a team that will once again return to its rightful 9th place? Will we ever beat Tony Pulis at whatever sport it is he plays? And just how much are we looking forward to the international break?

Aside from the West Brom game, we’ll be talking about progress for The Potters in the Carabao Cup and a potential new signing.

@davidcowlishaw @NOLAStokie @Brammered

@DIVENIREUK with the theme tune

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CITY ARE BACK

As Stoke unveil a new corner at the bet365, have Mark Hughes’ men turned one? A new improved stadium claims its first scalp of the season, as Arsene Wenger’s men fall to the sweetest Jese release since his 2015 single ‘Yo Sabia’.

With The Potters in the unusual position of having points on the board in August, Dave and Chris ask if this could be the start of something really exciting for Stoke this season. We’ll also talk about how Arsenal were robbed by the officials’ insistence on making correct decisions, and about our ambitions for the season ahead.

In addition, we also have a round-up of our academy from Jason Martin.

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Theme tune be @DIVENIREUK

The new season is finally upon us, and after a relatively "meh" 1-0 loss to Everton, Chris, Ben and Zach (the American) are back to digest the weeks happenings. We delve deep into the world of 343, talk wingbacks, and pay tribute to a departed Catalan.

Finally, with the window still open, we take a look at our new signings, and play a game of fantasy football, and determine who Stoke should spend it's £30m war chest on.

As always, thanks for listening. Please leave a review on iTunes, and tell your family and friends to enjoy The #WODPOD this season.

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Theme tune by @DIVENIREUK

The Wizards (and a host of you guys) preview the season. We look at our concerns, reasons to be cheerful and put our necks on the line by making predictions.

Thanks to everyone who sent 60-second previews in!

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Theme tune by @DIVENIREUK

Dave and Ben are there to see Joselu score a brace at Bolton, and everything's rosy in the garden of Stoke...right?

The pair sejourn to the pub to dissect that friendly, Stoke's transfer activity (or lack of it), Hughes' 3 at the back, and the general fan gloom as the new season approaches. In addition, we have a post-Sheffield United ramble from Chris, who saw a less hopeful Stoke City performance. Unlucky mate.

New theme tune by Divenire (@DIVENIREUK)

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Another week of preseason passes, and another Stoke City modern day legend (if you'll indulge us using the term) has left the club...no no not Marko Arnautovic (although there is plenty to discuss there), but Glenn Whelan.

It's goodbye to the Irishman, as Chris and Ben discuss what next for Stoke's midfield, as well as the other comings and goings around the Potteries. Oh...and we mention Arnie...

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"I've got a sense of impending doom, but I am excited about the new season" pretty much encaspulates the spirit of the podcast as we try to balance the positive of some encouraging pre-season displays and the negative that is the transfer uncertainty.

We also talk about our link-up with our new radical punk mates FC St. Pauli, and get a perspective from over in Hamburg thanks to St. Pauli pod MillernTon (@MillernTon).

In addition, Ben gets an exclusive transfer story regarding one of our young players, and we discuss Saido, Arnie, Zouma, Bruno, Fletcher, the youth as well as what grounds we're looking forward to visiting in 17/18.

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We welcome Zak Deakin to the pod but it's a sombre mood as The Wizards reflect on the Arnautovic transfer request bombshell whilst we play Xamax.