As Posted by Dallas Cowboy on the oatcake message board...

"Fellow Amigos,

We are now but a short time from the start of a new season and one that will hopefully be entertaining, as well as offering the prospect of success that Stoke City and its supporters deserve.

It is probably necessary at this juncture to outline once again the underlying philosophy of the Amigos. It is simply to take a positive view of Stoke City rather than a pessimistic one. Not everyone shares that view. And what would football be without differences of opinion?

But it is how those contrary views are expressed. I can well understand caution and a let's-wait-and-see attitude but I fail to see the point of talking about relegation or the side struggling at this stage of the proceedings. I also see little point in advancing conspiracy theories regarding the board. The club is as it is. And that is realism with a capital R, unless someone who posts on this MB has sufficient funds to buy it.

Boskamp, even on his own admission, has not been placed in an ideal situation. But the man knows football and deserves our backing. Let's wish him, the team and the club a successful season.

Finally, the Stoke City Amigos are about putting the fun back into watching the team we all love. It is a harsh cynical world out there, so where is the harm in having a bit of fun. And if it gets people talking about the club both here and elsewhere, as Big Vince suggested on another thread, surely that is to the good."