Stoke finished runners up in Championship
Relegated from then the first division of English football in 1985, Stoke spent much of the last 23 years in the Championship with the occasional visits to the third division. No wonder their chairman Peter Coates believes that getting out of the Championship is more difficult than staying in the top flight. And they finally managed to win promotion last year, having won 21 games and scoring 69 goals. It was not until the last round that they guaranteed promotion after a tense goalless draw with Leicester. The result sent Stoke into the Premier League, and Leicester into League 1. Much of the credit for winning promotion goes to manager Tony Pulis, who became one of the youngest coaches ever, securing his FA coaching badge at just 19, which was followed by Uefa ‘A' licence two years later. In a 16 year managerial career, Pulis boasts a proud record of never having suffered relegation. Stoke fans will certainly hope that he continues this record this season.
The squad still needs strengthening
The club management is still searching for players, who can help them avoid relegation this term, and the latest name being mentioned is Valencia's towering striker Nikola Zigic, whose transfer is said to be reaching closing stages. And with a record signing Dave Kitson already in, Pulis will be able to concentrate on the other areas in the team. In goalkeeper Steve Simonsen, who has signed a contract after last season's loan, the team will have an experienced keeper, who impressed while on loan last season, and broke the club's consecutive clean sheet record with seven. The third signing is Wolves and Nigeria midfielder Seyi Olofinjana. The team captain will be accomplished captain Andy Griffin, and this will be his third spell at the club, after playing for Newcastle, Portsmouth and Derby. Former Manchester United youngster, Ryan Shawcross, has been praised for his ability to organise his senior colleagues, and together with Leon Cort, he will be central defensive pair. Ricardo Fuller, best scorer last season, together with utility player Rory Delap, and team's player of the year Liam Lawrence, will be ones to watch next season. Pulis will try to sign a couple of more players to add to existing talent.
In
Dave Kitson (Reading, £5.5million),
Seyi Olofinjana (Wolverhampton Wanderers, £3million),
Thomas Sorensen (Aston Villa, free transfer)
Out
Marlon Broomes (Blackpool, free transfer),
Russell Hoult (released),
Dominic Matteo (released)
The team faces a tough relegation battle
Keeping the team in the Premier League after promotion has been one of the toughest jobs in football. Stoke manager Toni Pulis will be hoping to continue his record of not being relegated with his teams for 16 years as a football manager. After promotion, the club kept all the players, but in order to compete in the top division, the team requires big strengthening. Reading striker Dave Kitson, joined the club in a record transfer, and he has the experience of fighting relegation, from last season. Olofinjana arrived from Wolves and keeper Sorensen signed after spending last season on loan at Stoke. These are all solid players, but not top quality, which is normal, as despite the funds, the clubs like Stoke have troubles signing top players. The rest of the squad has some Premiership experience, but mostly as fringe players. If Pulis does not succeed in bringing in several good players, we are pretty sure they face Derby's destiny from last season.
Our tip: Stoke to get relegated
Odds 1.40
Bookmaker: Bet365
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