So the new season is finally here, and after the summer disappointment of England’s farcical World Cup campaign it feel’s good to see the Mighty Potters back in action. So, to last Saturday and Stokes opening game, a 2-1 defeat to neighbours Wolves which gave us more questions than answers about what’s been going on at Stoke City all summer.
New record signing Kenwyne Jones looked promising early on but was forced off with an injury before the quarter hour mark, although thankfully the injury will only keep him out for a matter of days and not weeks or even months as was first thought. Tony Pulis commented after the game that Jones’ injury “took the wind out of our sails” and boy, was he right. What followed was a performance so frustrating I began having flashbacks to England’s 4-1 drubbing to the Germans.
Whilst it’s never a good idea to read too much into the opening game, there are clearly several issues which Pulis will have to work on if we are to improve on the last 2 seasons. The absence of Andy Wilkinson (or just generally a right back playing right back) and 34 year old Rory Delap on the right wing made The Potters look awfully one sided, with all threats coming from the left, and in particular Matty Etherington. Then there was the rest of midfield (or lack of it) who struggled to get a foot on the ball, and found it even harder to supply the front men; and then of course there was the presence of Big Mama Sidibe, still polarising opinions as much as he ever did, even Pulis can’t seem to make his made up this year, bringing him on as a replacement for Kenwyne Jones before being replaced himself by Tuncay.
However as I said, it’s never good to read too much into the opening game, especially coming off a pre-season as relaxed as Stokes, it’s never good to lose, especially to local rivals but if this result had come on a Tuesday night in January then it’s safe to say the panic button wouldn’t have been hit as many times as it has. Pulis is notorious for leaving most of his business until the end of the transfer window, and with the new 25 man squad rule there will undoubtedly be some bargains for him to pick him at the end of August. Ipswich winger Jon Walters looks set to join Stoke anytime this week, although there has been late interest from QPR and the Baggies, a signing that won’t have many running to the club shop to get their shirt printed, but will provide solid cover for a number of positions and will certainly offer more on the wing than Delap or Whitehead.
Whilst Pulis’ style doesn’t look set to change anytime soon, he is consistently improving the squad, Huth, Etherington and Tuncay are players Stoke fans would have been dreaming about seeing in the red and white stripes (and solid red back, but let’s not go into that this week!) just 3 seasons ago, add to that players like Shawcross and Fuller who have made the step up to the Premier League and excelled for us, and Stoke are only a few good players away from a side that has as good a chance as any of breaking into the top half the table.
So, over to Peter Coates and Tony Pulis to bring those players in, they haven’t let us down yet…
Btad Jones