Football Season Guide

Stoke City were relegated from the Premier League in a complete disaster of a season last time out. Mark Hughes was sacked midway through with replacement Paul Lambert unable to keep the Potters up. Lambert has now left the club and been replaced by Gary Rowett, experienced at this level following spells at Birmingham, Burton and Derby, and they appear in far better shape to what they were. There was a real acceptance than last season was poor and a real desire to put it right from the club over the summer. Rowett is expected to make further signings but the additions of Benik Afobe and James McClean are certainly very positive indeed. They have also made impressive captures of Tom Ince and Everton defender Ashley Williams on loan so have quality in abundance all over the pitch. Xherdan Shaqiri is a big loss after he joined Liverpool while Ramadan Sobhi has moved to Huddersfield. So far keeper Jack Butland has stayed at the club and it will be interesting to see if he starts the season for the Potters. Stoke have enough quality in their side already to mount a promotion challenge and in Rowett have apparently the right man to do just that. They will be confident they can return to the Premier League if they put right some of the wrongs of last term.