Team Overview: Founded in 1863, Stoke City is one of the oldest teams in the world. This season marked the first time the Potters made it to the Prem since 1985. That season, they went down when all was said and done, but this year they looked solid and managed to keep their head above water and their team in England’s top league.
Top Performers: Ricardo Fuller had a nice year with 11 goals and 2 assists, and James Beattie also contributed with 7 goals and 3 assists. But, the Potters’ success this year can be attributed to Mr. Thomas Sorensen, their GK, who ceded a mere 1.31 GAA. If not for him, Stoke City certainly would have undergone a relegation scare.
Highest Highs: Stoke City actually won 10 games at home this year, which is amazing. Britannia Stadium was certainly a safe place. They also picked up 20 points in the season’s last three months. All in all, their 45 points this season are three times what they picked up back in the 80’s, so their fans have to be happy with the result.
Lowest Lows: While they were good at home, the Potters were miserable on the road, losing most of their games and only picking up a grand total of 10 points in 19 matches. Their defense was horrible on the road, giving up more than 2 goals per game. Their worst beating was a 5-0 destruction at the hands of Man U @ Old Trafford.
Future Outlook: Stoke City’s future is bright – at least compared to their depressing past. For their first year back in the Prem, they finished impressively and in the middle of the pack. Unfortunately, they will have an uphill battle from here, and they must do better on the road in 2010 if they want to stay in the Premier League.
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