At the mention of Stoke City, what immediately comes to mind is their direct style of play. Blessed with height and physique all over the pitch, they are renowned for being strong in defence and determined in attack. Widely criticized for their ‘route one’ football, several have deemed them unworthy of the top flight. But considering the clubs historic significance of being the second oldest football club in the world it is perhaps fitting that they take their place among England’s elite. However, their history alone is not the sole reason for which I see “The Potters” as worthy attendants in the premier league.
In 2006 Tony Pulis was reappointed as manager and since then the club has steadily moved forward and achieved promotion to the premier league in 2008. This triumph is regarded as the manager’s most impressive accomplishment till date. When Harry Redknapp left Bournemouth for West Ham United in 1992, Pulis was promoted from assistant manager and took charge of the club. From then on he has built a remarkable reputation of achieving consistent results on a small budget.
History proves that a manger’s attitude and mentality is often implemented by his team and in that respect Stoke City is no different. Pulis has been tagged as something of a “survival specialist” and rightly so following his stints at Gillingham, Portsmouth and Plymouth Argyle. On each occasion he inherited a team destined for relegation but introduced a determination and fight in their play to stay afloat. Stoke City now have a similar stubbornness about them and any opposing team visiting the Brittania Stadium are quick to acknowledge that. Added to their home form is the fact that their fans are undisputedly the loudest in the premier league hence providing an intimidating atmosphere for visitors and an inspirational one for their cherished team.
Following last season’s incredible cup run, the potters find themselves injected into European football. The free transfers of Woodgate and Upson have brought experience and class into an already solid defence. In last season’s acquisition of Asmir Begovic from Portsmouth, the club have an outstanding shot stopper between the sticks who also commands his territory with aplomb. Jones has impressed since his arrival, feeding off the service of Etheringthon and Pennant, two wingers with good pace and more importantly, delivery. But it was the club’s deadline day signings that turned heads and made the rest of the league sit up and take notice. Peter Crouch, Wilson Palacios and Cameron Jerome are the very late and very impressive signings. Now they look like they have a squad that can cope with the demands of European football which they are looking to take seriously and they have every right to. Too often in the past clubs have not given the European competition the attention it deserves. This baffles me, considering the uphill task they faced to get there in the first place. The club’s summer purchases points towards their ambition to establish themselves whilst steadily progressing towards bettering their achievements. They haven’t broken the bank by any stretch of the imagination. They spent wisely, thus ensuring the financial safety of the club, a refreshing approach at a time when most football clubs are tempted to bite off more than they can chew.
Often termed ‘boring’, Stoke’s style of play is still a far cry from that of Wibledon’s in the eighties and nineties. They may never be swashbuckling in attack but they still have a certain level of football about them despite being identified by their heavy reliance on Rory Delap’s effective long throws. After adding some goal scoring prowess to their ranks, I’m confident that the fans will enjoy a respectable position in the league table and may well be treated to a decent run in Europe. I think the club is moving in the right direction at the moment and can see them eventually breaking free of their shackles and playing more attractive football. I don’t predict that they will shed their sturdy qualities but rather that they may include more fluid ones to accompany those already in place, much like Bolton have done in the recent past. I believe this squad is about three or four players shy of transforming into a team that neutrals would enjoy watching.
In the meantime one must pay tribute to the current and admirable traits of this great club. True to the basics, the club has operated with the highest demeanour. They boast a set of extremely passionate fans who’s voices are presently unopposed by any other in the land. Their players perform with fire in their bellies, fighting for every ball and facing up to every challenge. Their manager is as inspirational as ever and tactically pragmatic. The club has mastered the art of maintaining its stability without hindering its progress ultimately steering itself clear of the risk of stagnation. Stoke City have a lot more to offer and I wouldn’t think for one moment that their existence in the premier league is in any sort of danger. But if at all, in the most unlikely of circumstances, they are involved in a dogfight come the end of the season, I am certain that they will approach it in the only way they know how – with relish!
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