Championship Season Preview 2006/07 - 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).

2005/06 Cup Progress
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 at 1-1 after extra time.

Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Paul Gallagher (striker) - 12 goals.

Players In
Vincent Pericard (Portsmouth - Free)

Players Out
Ed de Goey (Released).

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

Following his appointment, Pulis stated he will not sacrifice his team tactics for the attacking football style the board and fans wanted. He was dismissed by the previous Icelandic owners in June 2005 after he failed to use on the foreign transfer market effectively and, after topping the table in September 2004, a goals shortage saw the club finish in twelfth position.

Despite a mixed reception from the fans, skipper Michael Duberry believes Pulis to be the man that takes the club Premiership. Duberry was a Pulis signing when he brought him in initially on loan from Leeds United two seasons ago. Locally born defender Andy Wilkinson has also lent his support by signing a new two year contract. The former academy graduate will remain at the club until the end of the 2007/08 campaign.

Pulis made Vincent Pericard, who he worked with following the striker's loan spell at Plymouth last season, his first signing since taking over the club. Pericard signed a three year contract following his release from Premiership outfit Portsmouth.

With one striker in, it could be a case of another out, as Sambegou Bangoura failed to report for pre season training. The Guinea 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 eleventh placed finish, Stoke have fallen down one position as each season has passed. Another mid table finish is likely so what price on them ending the campaign in fourteenth?