2017-18 fan season preview: Stoke
By Chris Devine.
What are your feelings ahead of the new season?
Not particularly optimistic! After two-and-a half years of hugely impressive progress under Mark Hughes culminated in a golden period midway through 2015-16, when the football and results were terrific, Stoke have seemingly gone backwards ever since. If the trend continues this term, it could be a long season.
How pleased have you been with your transfer business to date?
We definitely need to do more before the end of August. Kurt Zouma looks a great loan signing and much is expected of young Josh Tymon, but we have yet to replace the departed Marko Arnautovic, who was our best player last season. Darren Fletcher’s arrival should cover the departure of Glenn Whelan, but the under-appreciated Jon Walters may well be missed, particularly if quality reinforcements do not arrive.
How is your team likely to line up?
Very tough to say after Hughes repeatedly changed personnel and formations last season, but I’d guess at: Butland; Zouma, Shawcross, Cameron; Diouf, Allen, Fletcher, Pieters; Shaqiri, Berahino, Bojan.
Who will be your most important player?
Keeping Xherdan Shaqiri fit would make most Stoke fans much more positive. If he can regularly produce his best form, we should be fine.
Who is the unsung hero in your squad?
Geoff Cameron has very rarely let Stoke down despite being shunted from position to position.
What do you expect from Liverpool this season?
Much the same as I’ve expected at this point for the last few seasons. Somewhere between third and sixth, with spells of glorious brilliance.
If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?
Philippe Coutinho.
Top four (in order)?
Manchester City
Manchester United
Chelsea
Liverpool
Relegated?
Brighton
Burnley
West Brom
Surprise package?
Huddersfield to stay up by at least six to eight points (now watch them go down with 15!)
What is your biggest wish for the season?
A return to the glorious football we played midway through 2015-16, with the brilliant Bojan at the heart of it. But I won’t hold my breath.