Premiership Preview: Stoke City

Can Pulis mastermind a European cup run?

This will be Stokes 4th successive season in the Premiership and as with the previous ones development is needed to make that next step up. Last year saw a cup run which gifted them European qualification and in turn led to a slightly disappointing league finish.

With Europe beckoning, a strong squad is needed to cope with the demands of playing Thursday and Sunday on a consistent basis. Overall I feel Stoke has a decent core squad but a bit of extra class is needed this summer to really kick on.

Ideally...I’d say around seven signings are needed; realistically 4-5 will be made.

Goalkeepers
Once Sorensen’s contract is tied up this position is more than adequately covered with 3 decent ‘keepers.

Defence
A bit light really, obviously Huth and Shawcross are an outstanding partnership but beyond that there isn’t much on offer. The full-back positions are covered, but not with the highest quality, so if the opportunity arose a decent full back or two wouldn’t go a miss. My suggestions for Tony would be Liam Ridgewell who could cover at Centre back and Left back, and possibly Kyle Naughton, who can provide decent cover for both full-backs and offers more going forward than they currently have.

Midfield
Centrally there is the same problem as the full-backs, enough but I don’t think they offer enough quality. Ideally a top notch enforcer and a classy playmaker should be purchased. But with the current market I think Stoke can afford one player to cover both, Jermaine Jenas anyone? Thought not. Now the wings we have a familiar problem, good quality but very little back up. I don’t think there are the players available at the right price who would be willing to play second fiddle for both positions so buy one player to cover both again, Matt Jarvis, David Bentley?

Strikers
With Sidibie, Jones, Fuller and Walters on the books there is cover here, but with two of those suffering with injuries last season an additional body may be wise. Carlton Cole and Cameron Jerome have been mooted, but I really don’t think they would provide enough goals, DJ Campbell however is a hard working forward with an eye for goal he could be a very shrewd purchase. Failing that, as some may view Campbell as a flash in the pan, Craig Bellamy would be available at a cheap price and has a lot of experience.

I think if Stoke heed my advice they could be in for a very successful season. The team is well organised and hard working, so by adding a bit of class could see Stoke cement themselves as a top 10 Premier league side and who knows maybe another cup run, but this time in Europe?

Josh