2006/07 Championship Season Preview – Stoke City

Stoke City

Odds: 66/1

last five seasons

2005/06 – 13 (Championship), 2004/05 – 12 (Championship), 2003/04 – 11 (Championship), 2002/03 – 21 (Championship), 2001/02 – 5 (League One, Promoted).

Cup progress 2005/06

FA Cup fifth round vs Brimingham City (h) – lost 1-0.

Carling Cup First Round vs Mansfield Town (a) – lost 3-0 on penalties with the score 1-1 after extra time.

Top scorer 2005/06: Paul Gallagher (forward) – 12 goals.

players in

Vincent Pericard (Portsmouth – Free)

players out

Ed de Goey (released).

Stoke City introduced former manager Tony Pulis as their new boss following his departure from Plymouth Argyle. He replaces Johan Boskamp, ​​ironically the man who replaced him last June, who left Britannia at the end of last season. Pulis, who has also directed Bournemouth, Gillingham, Bristol City and Portsmouth, was in charge of the Potters between November 2002 and June 2005 and his management was 131 played, won 47, tied 32 and lost 52.

After his appointment, Pulis stated that he will not sacrifice his team’s tactics for the attacking style of football that the board and the fans wanted. He was sacked by the previous Icelandic owners in June 2005 after he was not used effectively in the foreign transfer market and, after topping the table in September 2004, a goal shortage saw the club finish in twelfth position.

Despite the mixed reception from fans, skipper Michael Duberry believes Pulis is the man to take the club out of the Premiership. Duberry was a Pulis signing when he initially brought him on loan from Leeds United two seasons ago. Home defender Andy Wilkinson has also lent his support by signing a new two-year contract. The former youth squad player will remain at the club until the end of the 2007/08 campaign.

Pulis signed Vincent Pericard, whom he worked with after the striker’s loan spell at Plymouth last season, his first signing since taking charge of the club. Pericard signed a three-year deal following his release from Premiership side Portsmouth.

With one striker in, there could be another out as Sambegou Bangoura failed to show up for pre-season training. The Guinean international, who joined the club from Standard Liege last season and scored nine goals in his first season in England, has yet to meet new manager Pulis.

Verdict
Since the 2003/04 season, which resulted in an 11th-place finish, Stoke have dropped one position each season. Another mid-table finish likely, what’s the price of them finishing the campaign in 14th place?