When the Potters concluded the 2012-13 campaign in 13th, there was uncertainty around the Britannia Stadium with regards to what the future held. With fan support for Tony Pulis at an all-time low following a disappointing season and problems apparently beginning to form behind the scenes, there was obviously a lot to sort out before kick off on August 17th. Pulis left Stoke on May 21st and it was widely felt to be the correct decision, nine days later Mark Hughes signed a three-year contract and the new era could begin. A new style of play was expected – as well as positive signings. So far the Welshman has met these demands, but will the campaign be one long honeymoon period for Sparky, or will the players struggle with the transition?
Hughes went straight to work during the transfer window by adding both full back Erik Pieters and young versatile defender Marc Muniesa before Stoke’s first pre-season game had even kicked off. This concluded the Potters’ business in terms of defensive additions but the club weren’t finished elsewhere. Attacking players were certainly needed; and by the end of the window Liverpool’s Oussama Assaidi had been added on loan, bonkers Austrian Marko Arnautovic had joined the club for £2 million and Stephen Ireland had also been added on a loan deal. Although no strikers were purchased it was still an excellent window, and one that instilled a lot of confidence in the Britannia Stadium faithful.
Hughes’ debut as Potters boss was a 1-0 defeat at Anfield, Liverpool probably deserved the victory but had Jonathan Walters scored a last minute penalty things would have been very different. Stoke played well in the match and there were already obvious improvements in the style of play. These improvements would be on show again when Stoke hosted Premiership new boys Crystal Palace, a 2-1 victory was recorded but the performance would be out-done a week later when Stoke travelled to London. At Upton Park the Potters beat West Ham 1-0 but passed the ball brilliantly and barely gave the Hammers a sniff at goal, things were already looking very encouraging for Mark Hughes. Next up was Manchester City at the Britannia; yet again Stoke dominated the match but despite a number of missed chances the game ended 0-0, a good result but considering the multiple goal scoring opportunities the home side had it was disappointing that Man City were able to walk away with a point.
Asmir Begovic has started the campaign in imperious form, he was wonderful against Liverpool and has maintained an excellent level of performance ever since – he can certainly be considered as one of the Premier League’s top goalkeepers. Luckily for the Bosnian international he has a superb defence in front of him; Robert Huth and Ryan Shawcross are flanked by Geoff Cameron and Pieters in Stoke’s rearguard, Hughes already seems to have elected this is as his strongest back four and the solid manner in which they have started the season suggests it is a correct decision. Matthew Etherington has started 2013-14 in brilliant form, while Jermaine Pennant scored a wonderful winner against the Hammers and Marko Arnautovic made an impressive cameo on his debut against Man City. With Assaidi yet to make his first league appearance it shows that the team now has much-needed depth of the wings. Ireland, Marc Wilson, Steven N’Zonzi and Charlie Adam will provide creativity through the middle for the in-form Kenwyne Jones. But beside the Trinidad and Tobago international Stoke are short on quality up front. Jonathan Walters and Peter Crouch have both had disappointing starts to the season and if the Potters continue to struggle in front of goal the club could end up ruing the failure to purchase a striker in the transfer market.
So things are generally looking very positive for Stoke. Not only have the new players settled in, but the Pulis-bought players have coped perfectly with the transition and taken to passing football as well as could have been expected. It suggests this season may not be just about transition and Hughes familiarising himself with his new surroundings – maybe Stoke can push on and finish in the top half? Most of the mid-table teams have had underwhelming starts to the season; Swansea have picked up just three points from three games, West Brom sit in 18th place and Southampton have been inconsistent. If the Potters can continue to improve what Hughes has started there is no reason why Stoke can’t finish in the top half of the table for the first time since their return to the top flight in 2008.
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