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A positive start to the season was derailed by the devastating loss of Tyrese Campbell after the forward suffered a horrific injury which ruled him out for the rest of the season. This saw the North Staffordshire side going from play-off contenders to mid-table mediocrity.
Stoke City finished 14th in the Championship in what was Michael O’Neill’s first full season at the helm of the club. In a season where most games were played behind closed doors, the Potters were restricted from pushing closer to the play-off positions by Financial Fair Play as well as an unprecedented injury crisis – where at one stage of the season, the North Staffordshire side had over 13 first-team players out injured.
Five Key Moments
Aston Villa 0-1 Stoke City – 1st October 2020
In the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, Stoke were drawn up against last year’s runners-up, Aston Villa. The Villains had started the season superbly, so it would be no stroll in the park for the Potters.
A well-taken headed goal from Sam Vokes was the difference in Aston as the North Staffordshire side advanced to the quarter-final stage of the League Cup for the first time since 2015.
Two players who impressed at the back were Nathan Collins and Harry Souttar. Impeccable performances during this cup run led to the duo becoming established, first-team regulars for the remainder of the season.
Stoke City 4-3 Huddersfield – 21st November 2020
Despite going 1-0 down, Stoke swiftly turned the game around thanks to two Tyrese Campbell goals that rocketed past Joel Pereira’s outstretched limbs.
Stoke’s number 26 almost made it a hat-trick before the break, however, Huddersfield’s Richard Stearman deflected the striker’s effort into his own net.
After the break, Sam Clucas tip-toed around several Huddersfield men on the edge of the box before unleashing a powerful shot across goal and into the top left-hand corner to make it 4-2 in Stoke’s favour.
Naby Sarr netted three minutes later past Stoke debutant Joe Bursik to make it 4-3. The Potters defended as if their lives depended on it, riding out victors in the end and keeping up with the epic play-off race.
Stoke City 1-2 Cardiff City – 8th December 2020
A frosty December night dealt a cold blow to Stoke’s season. The player who’d made a huge impact in the first portion of the campaign, Tyrese Campbell, went off with a severe knee injury which ended the forward’s season prematurely.
At this point, the Potters were sat in the automatic promotion spots, only behind Bournemouth on goal difference.
Stoke were given an opportunity to double their lead as Vokes stepped up to take a penalty. The Welshman’s weak strike was saved by Alex Smithies before the Bluebirds turned the game around as the three points went back to the Welsh capital.
Stoke City 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur – 23rd December 2020
Two nights before Christmas, the Potters faced Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur side in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Stoke boss Michael O’Neill was forced to play his fourth goalkeeper of the season due to Joe Bursik being cup-tied from his loan spell at Doncaster Rovers. In stepped Andy Lonergan to face the most in-form attacking duo in the world – Heung-min Son and Harry Kane.
Despite a Gareth Bale goal halfway through the first-half, Stoke remained competitive in the tie.
Moments after the interval, Jordan Thompson latched onto the end of a pinpoint Jacob Brown cross which levelled the fixture much to the surprise of the neutrals.
After this, the Staffordshire outfit took the game to Spurs, however, a long-range screamer from Ben Davies caught out Lonergan and Tottenham reclaimed the lead with 20 minutes to go.
A late insurance goal from Kane sealed Spurs’ status in the semi-finals of the competition, but Stoke could hold their heads high after an outstanding cup run in which they’d beaten two Premier League sides and were only knocked out by a side who’d eventually be runners-up in the competition.
Stoke City 3-0 Luton Town – 20th February 2021
A bitter February afternoon saw Nathan Jones make his return to the Bet365 Stadium following his departure 14 months earlier. Stoke had beaten Luton in the reverse fixture 2-0, courtesy of goals from Nick Powell and Steven Fletcher.
During his tenure as Stoke boss, Jones signed Powell. The Welshman didn’t deem the midfielder good enough for his system, which led to Powell making very few appearances whilst Jones was manager of Stoke City.
The midfielder opened the scoring early on thanks to some unselfish play from Fletcher. He then doubled the Staffordshire side’s in the 63rd minute as he latched onto the end of a looping Joe Allen cross.
Fletcher wrapped up the three points with an easy tap in after Sam Clucas unselfishly returned the Scotsman’s favour.
Transfers and their impact
Morgan Fox
Stoke’s first summer recruit was Welsh left-back Morgan Fox, signed on a free transfer from Sheffield Wednesday. The 27-year-old clocked 20 starts for the Potters over the course of the season and provided three assists.
Fox was a victim of Stoke’s torrid injury record as his season was ended early by a hamstring injury which was sustained in a game against his former club in February.
James Chester
Following Fox through the door at Clayton Wood was James Chester. The experienced professional put pen to paper on a permanent deal after he was signed on a short-term loan in January 2020.
Another free addition, Chester went on to make 32 appearances for Stoke throughout the 2020/21 campaign.
Steven Fletcher
Stoke’s third summer acquisition was Championship veteran Steven Fletcher. Again a free signing, he followed Morgan Fox along the A53 to the Potteries.
Fletcher did struggle with a handful of injuries throughout the season, but despite this he managed to chalk-up nine goals as well as four assists.
A player who isn’t afraid to attempt the spectacular, Fletcher hit the bar from a ‘rabona’ shot from the edge of the box away at Preston in September and had a bicycle kick disallowed at home to Reading in February.
One attempt which did come off for the Scotsman was a superb free-kick away at Bristol City on Good Friday. An outstanding set-piece that was fired home to double Stoke’s lead.
John Obi Mikel
The Nigerian was Stoke’s marquee summer signing. With a list of accolades as long as his arm, the midfielder arrived on a free transfer.
Mikel started off strongly before his good run of form was interrupted by an injury in November. He returned to action just before the turn of the year but struggled to return to his previous form. The Potters captain ended the season on a high, with a string of good performances at the tail end of the season.
He made 39 Championship appearances throughout the campaign and made one assist which came in the North Staffordshire side’s 1-0 victory away at Preston in September.
Jacob Brown
Brown joined Stoke from Barnsley for an undisclosed fee at the start of September. He would score five goals in 41 Championship appearances, as well as scoring a heroic late winner away at Wolves in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
Despite being subject to criticism by Stoke fans, the hard-working, versatile 23-year-old silenced his critics by netting three goals over the course of seven games through the early spring period.
Angus Gunn (Loan)
The 25-year-old goalkeeper joined the Potters on loan from Southampton on deadline day of the summer window.
Gunn made 15 appearances for the North Staffordshire side, keeping six clean sheets as well as clocking up one assist in a home fixture against Rotherham in October, where his long ball flew the full length of the pitch which was picked up and slotted home by James McClean.
The goalkeeper struggled for consistency during his time in ST4 for a number of different reasons including injuries, form as well as the rise of Joe Bursik. Stoke do have the option to extend the loan deal for a second year next season, however, it looks unlikely that this clause will be triggered.
Niki Maenpaa (One-month contract)
Bought in on an emergency deal following Gunn’s injury sustained during the November International break, the Finn picked up a hand injury in his first training session and didn’t make an appearance for Stoke – adding to the injury crisis the Potters found themselves in before Christmas.
Andy Lonergan (One-month contract)
Lonergan only made one appearance for Stoke, which was in the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Spurs. The Welshman kept the Potters in the game after a brilliant performance with a series of remarkable saves.
The 37-year-old left Stoke in January at the end of his one-month contract before joining West Brom.
Rabbi Matondo (Loan)
The rapid winger was Stoke’s first signing of the January window. The 20-year-old made the switch from Schalke making 10 appearances (five starts and five substitute appearances) in red and white.
Matondo struggled to get up to speed in the Championship, however, he finished the season in good form – scoring one goal away at Nottingham Forest at the end of April.
Rhys Norrington-Davies (Loan)
Following his compatriot through the door at Clayton Wood, Rhys Norrington-Davies joined Stoke on a short-term loan deal from Sheffield United after spending the first half of the season at Luton Town.
‘RND’ soon became a fan favourite because of his work ethic and ability. The 22-year-old left-back made 20 appearances for the Potters and scored one goal in a home tie against Wycombe where he opened his account by rounding off a delightful attacking move.
Norrington-Davies did get sent off in a trip to Huddersfield Town after a rash challenge on Juninho Bacuna, however made amends after a number of superb performances following his suspension.
Jack Clarke (Loan)
Clarke was signed to bolster the North Staffordshire side’s forward options in Campbell’s absence. One of Leeds United’s shining lights in their 2018/19 campaign, the winger put pen to paper on his third loan signing away from Tottenham since signing for the Lilywhites in July 2019.
The 20-year-old winger made six starts and came off the bench on eight occasions for Michael O’Neill’s side, providing one assist in the process.
Unfortunately for Clarke, his season ended in April after suffering an Achilles injury and returned to North London to begin his rehabilitation.
Alfie Doughty
Stoke’s final January signing was Alfie Doughty, a 21-year-old winger from Charlton Athletic, signed for an undisclosed fee.
Doughty hasn’t made an appearance for Stoke yet as he is still recovering from a hamstring injury he sustained whilst playing for the Addicks.
Potters boss Michael O’Neill mentioned that the deal had to be done in January as it was highly unlikely that the winger would sign for Stoke in the summer because of the keen interest from other Championship clubs.
Key Players
Nick Powell
Nick Powell was voted Stoke City’s Player of the Year by supporters after an outstanding campaign. The midfielder scored 12 goals and provided three assists in 39 league games throughout the season.
He was vital to the Potters when Campbell and Fletcher were injured. Without Powell’s input in the second half of the season, Stoke could have been sucked into the tight relegation battle.
Harry Souttar
The towering centre-back has been integral in Stoke’s superb defensive record this season.
The 22-year-old has kept 16 clean sheets, scored one league goal and played a key role in the Potters’ incredible League Cup run, which led to him gaining Michael O’Neill’s full trust, making him become a regular in the first team and is already attracting keen interest from Premier League clubs.
Tyrese Campbell
Tyrese Campbell enjoyed a superb start to the season before his season ended prematurely in December due to an ACL injury. The Potters were in the play-off race before the 21-year-old’s injury, which soon fell away when his absence was felt.
The attacker clocked six goals and five assists in 16 appearances, a potent record that hadn’t been seen by Stoke fans for a long time. Had Campbell not been injured before Christmas, it would’ve been interesting to see how high he could’ve helped the North Staffordshire outfit to finish.
Season Verdict
Before a ball was kicked, there was a wide range of predictions from play-off glory to mid-table mediocrity. The majority of Stoke supporters wanted a season of stability, which is something that was yet to come since their relegation in 2018.
At the start of the season, it looked like a play-off push was achievable. However, when key-man Campbell was ruled out for the remainder of the season, Stoke’s form started to tail off as they started to fall down the league table.
Although the season was underwhelming, there were positives to take. From the rise of the high-potential academy graduates who’d been blooded by manager O’Neill to the fantastic defensive record. These are things that Potters fans will be hoping to see continue going into next season.
Hopes for next season
The Potters will be hoping to build on this season’s progress going into next season. Stoke are on an upward trajectory in comparison to their previous league positions (2018/19 – 16th, 2019/20 – 15th, 2020/21 – 14th).
If the side can keep relatively injury-free and make a couple of good additions in the summer, then the Potters could be in with a good shout of being in a play-off race next term.
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