Football News
Three selection headaches facing...Tony Pulis
A late flurry of deadline day transfer activity has given a very different complexion to a Stoke City squad which has started the new Premier League season with three straight defeats, and perhaps another comfortable mid-table finish could be on for the Potters after all.
With the new season still in its infancy, Sport.co.uk takes a curious glance at Stoke City’s squad and wonders to what extent Tony Pulis knows what his best side is as he attempts to continue the Britannia Stadium’s conversion into a hotbed of Premier League football.
What do you think, Stoke City fans? Are there any changes to personnel that you’d like to see Pulis make? What do you expect from the Potters this season? Have your say in the comments section at the bottom of the page…
Up front
Stoke can now call upon all of Kenwyne Jones, Eidur Gudjohnsen, Ricardo Fuller, Tuncay Sanli and Mamady Sidibe to play up front, with promising youngster Louis Moult waiting in the wings. Potters fans will be glad that this new wealth of options should remove the limited Sidibe from the first team, and the prospect of a Jones-Fuller partnership – with all the power and skill that would entail – is a tantalising one. Meanwhile, Gudjohnsen and Tuncay can play off them or drop deep, all of which looks like bringing a refreshingly diverse approach to attacking play at the Britannia this season.
Rory Delap
While Delap’s long throws are undoubtedly a threat, the introduction of more quality into Stoke’s squad will lead some to question whether the side should still be relying on this tactic three seasons into life in the Premier League. Delap is a willing and committed player but, given the direction that many Potters fans want to see the team going in, his all-round game is not of the required standard for the club to make the step up from plucky mid-table outfit to Europa League contenders.
Sorensen vs Begovic
Two fine goalkeepers. One wise old head, one feisty up-and-comer. Who will be first choice by season’s end is anyone’s guess, but it’s a good problem to have.