Shawcross Goes Over Coates` Dead Body

Chairman Peter Coates has put the nail in the coffin for Tottenham`s chances of signing Ryan Shawcross, as he has publicly announced recently that the defender will not be leaving the club this summer. The 6-foot-rediculous-inch 23-year-old has three years remaining on his contract with us, and Coates wants him to see out that contract.

Coates commented: "We see Ryan`s future at Stoke City. He is a very good young player and I expect him to be at Stoke next season.

"I thought Ryan did very well last year and got better as the season went on."

Tony Pulis gave the captain`s armband to Ryan early last season in a bid to break him into the England squad, which did work on the one occasion he sat on Fabio Capello`s bench during a friendly against Egypt, but as he wasn`t played, he couldn`t claim his first cap. Well, it`s Fabio`s spaghetti in hot water at the moment, so he may want to consider a young and talented player such as Shawcross at the heart of his defence.

Shawcross captained the Stoke City side that entered Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup final against Manchester City; the Potter`s first appearance in the final for this competition. The score doesn`t matter one bit and is not relevant in any way shape or form so there`s no need to publish that whatsoever.

So Shawcross has his name down in the history books as well as asserting himself as a quality player and captain at Stoke. He`s a player that Peter insists is a valid member of the squad, so Stoke will not be selling to anyone. He believes that his leadership will be pivotal to building on last season`s impressive performances and taking Europe by storm next year.

Coates continued: "I think with Ryan and Robert Huth we have two of the best centre-backs in the Premier League, and we don`t want to change that.

"All young players have dips in form, but centre-back is a position where you are going to get better as you gain more experience. He is already doing fantastically."


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