Football Season Guide

Stoke City have had another wonderful season last year, reaching the final of the FA Cup and thus ensuring their first foray into European football in more than 30 years. Tony Pulis will hope that his side leaves a mark in the Europea League but not at the cost of compromising a league spot and it will be intriguing to see how the Potters cope with the challenge of playing on two fronts. As far as the league is concerned, the aim is again a mid-table finish with Stoke looking to avoid any flirtation with the bottom three - something that sporadically happened last season and set the races pulsing around the Britannia Stadium. However, one must worry for Stoke and their ability to cope with an increased schedule of games given that the squad remained practically unchanged since last season. The only addition is Jonathan Woodgate who is coming back from two injury-plagued years and there is little guarantee that he will stay fit over the course of the season. The attacking line has failed to convince last season with Kenwyne Jones going through long periods without a goal and Ricardo Fuller spending more time on the treatment table than on the pitch. Jon Walters provided some good service in that context but nevertheless another forward must be a priority who has been rejected by Carlton Cole while Birmingham have stood form amid interest for Camerone Jerome. The main sort of creativity is likely to again come from the two wings with Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant backed to build on great campaigns last year. Stoke's first 11 is definitely experienced and good enough to keep the team out of trouble but with the increased demands, the Potters may well have their closest encounter with relegation since their promotion three years ago.