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Stoke City are midway through a revolution under Mark Hughes, after he replaced the dumped Tony Pulis at the start of last season and led them to their highest ever finish in the EPL.
What happened last season
Following the dismissal of the ever-reliant Tony Pulis, who the board discarded in search of a more entertaining style, Stoke went for Mark Hughes as his replacement.
It was tough on Pulis, who would go on to prove his old club wrong with a fantastic season at Crystal Palace. But while these decisions often backfire on clubs, Hughes began his task with his usual calm demeanor and led the club to a ninth-placed finish, their highest ever in modern-era first division.
The defensive solidity remained, with Stoke losing just three times at Britannia Staidum, but they also produced some astonishing results, defeating the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.
What happened in the off-season
The biggest news during the off-season has been the signing of Barcelona starlet Bojan Krkić. The young Spanish forward represents exactly the type of player that Hughes needs to complete the transformation from Pulis’ organised and effective style.
Krkić’s education with Barcelona will be clutch in Hughes’ efforts to implement his possession-based philosophy, focusing on quick transitions and passing.
At £3 million it’s also an absolute steal. Joining him are Dionatan Teixeira, who comes from the Slovak Super Liga, and Mame Biram Diouf, who arrives from the Bundesliga’s Hannover 96. They are unknown quantities in the English Premier League, but also promise to add class in defence and attack.
Known quantities in Steve Sidwell and Phil Bardsley have also been picked up on free transfers, showing off Hughes’ eye for a bargain.
Why Stoke fans should be excited about the 2014/15 season
While Pulis was a reliable head and led the club to five consecutive seasons in the EPL, Hughes is attempting to change the status quo and bring some entertaining football to Britannia. It’s simply an exciting time to be a Stoke fan.
Change is in the air, but Hughes faces a tough task. He’s started with a bang in taking Stoke to their highest EPL finish yet, and kept the solidarity at the back, exemplified by captain Ryan Shawcross and keeper Asmir Begovic.
There were shaky times last season, but ultimately the 50-point haul represented a big step forward, and the additional signings will help them in the attacking third.
Hughes was perhaps unfairly hoisted from the Man City hot seat in 2009, and followed that with unspectacular spells at Fulham and QPR. This is his chance to prove his credentials as a top-flight manager, and so far he’s winning over both fans and critics.
The main man that can carry Stoke’s 2014/15 hopes
Bojan Krkić. It’s an amazing piece of business from Hughes to attract the diminutive forward to Stoke. He was a rising star for Barcelona, and played more than 100 first team games with the club. He’s long been threatening to explode, and Stoke under Hughes could be his perfect match.
Krkić was sold to Roma in 2011, playing a season apiece with them and AC Milan, before Barcelona exercised an option to buy him back at the start of the 2013-14 season. However he was immediately loaned to Ajax, and never made another first team appearance for the Catalan club.
That Krkić has been tied to Barcelona for so long shows just how much patience they were willing to afford him. Why he didn’t push on is up for debate, but the English Premier League could be his calling.
His name has been around so long that it’s hard to imagine Krkić is still just 23 years old. He has also settled in quickly at Stoke, scoring three goals in as many preseason matches.
Verdict – Top half finish
Mark Hughes is embarking on just his second year in charge of Stoke, and expectations shouldn’t be set too high. Survival has long been the club’s solitary aim, but this season they would be excused for aiming a little higher.
The ninth place finish last season was a great start for Hughes, and a huge achievement considering his attempt to change the whole squad’s playing style while maintaining results.
The signings in the off-season have been impressive, and there’s no reason why Stoke can’t achieve another top half finish, and perhaps even flirt with the possibility of a Europa League qualifying place.
Manager: Mark Hughes
Home Ground: Britannia Stadium – 27,740
Nickname: The Potters
Captain: Ryan Shawcross
Players In: Phil Bardsley, Steve Sidwell, Mame Biram Diouf, Dionatan Teixeira, Bojan Krkic
Players Out: Michael Kightly
First five matches: Aston Villa (H), Hull City (A), Manchester City (A), Leicester City (H), QPR (A)
Stoke City squad to compete in 2014/15
Goalkeeper: (1) Asmir Begovic, (22) Jack Butland, (29) Thomas Sorensen.Defence: (na) Phil Bardsley, (20) Geoff Cameron, (4) Robert Huth, (5) Muniesa, (3) Erik Pieters, (17) Ryan Shawcross, (30) Ryan Shotton, (28) Andy Wilkinson, (12) Marc Wilson.
Midfield: (16) Charlie Adam, (na) Dionatan Teixeira, (32) Stephen Ireland, (15) Steven N’Zonzi, (14) Jamie Ness, (8) Wilson Palacios, (11) Brek Shea, (na) Steven Sidwell, (6) Glenn Whelan.
Forwards: (10) Marko Arnautovic, (na) Bojan, (25) Peter Crouch, (na) Mame Diouf, (33) Cameron Jerome, (9) Peter Odemwingie, (19) Jon Walters.
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