Three Reasons Why 2021/22 Could Be Stoke’s Best Chance Yet At Promotion

“This is our year” is an annually muttered phrase by most Championship fanbases, especially those receiving a series of parachute payments following relegation from the Premier League, or those with a squad filled with high-potential talent. One club tick both of those boxes, Stoke City.

Whilst this summer will be the Championship club’s first transfer window without receiving any parachute payments, the owners in the Coates family, who founded and own the online betting giants bet365, have incredibly deep pockets so fortunately this shouldn’t be too much of a problem for The Potters.

However, Stoke fans need no reminder that the club has previously invested incredibly big sums of money on players who are now no longer at the club permanently or away on loan in England and abroad running down their long and high wage contracts, proving money doesn’t always guarantee success.

But you don’t always need millions upon millions of pounds for success, which is a sensible business model Stoke have followed for a couple of years now, after the success of other clubs in the Championship – Brentford follow and execute this model impeccably.

Stoke’s project under Michael O’Neill and new head of recruitment Alex Aldridge is very exciting and looks to be the club’s more sensible approach in the bid for promotion and returning to being a sustained Premier League outfit. So here are a few reasons why The Potters could be a sensible bet for promotion for 2021/22.

1. Michael O’Neill and Recruitment

 

In 2019 The Potters looked destined for their second relegation in three years before Michael O’Neill took charge. The club have progressed massively under the O’Neil and no doubt have the ability to progress further. The Championship side were eight points adrift at the foot of the division with very little chance of survival.

Michael O’Neill has come in, steadied the ship, and in doing so made the men in red and white solid at both ends. On several occasions The Potters have scored three goals or more in games, which is something the North-Staffordshire outfit hadn’t done for nearly two years.

O’Neill’s men have also been a lot more solid defensively partially thanks to the rise of the Australian giant Harry Souttar.

Stoke have gone from being an easy push-over to now being tough to beat and that’s thanks to Michael O’Neill. In his time, the side have played some entertaining football and in doing so beating some Premier League teams including Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup.

This led to a Quarter-Final tie against Spurs in December where The Potters were competing in the game for well over an hour, so there is no reason why they can’t be competing at the summit of the Championship.

Progression under the Northern Irishman is evident, and I feel there is no limit for how far Stoke can go under him. The most recent January transfer window is a brilliant example of what business the Championship club could be doing more often in the future.

Sensible signings like winger Alfie Doughty on a permanent from Charlton, a player from the lower leagues who have quality already but have bags of potential to fulfil in the future too.

Another great recruitment tactic for Championship clubs is loaning in a youngster – The Potters have utilised this  this in January by loaning in the rapid Welsh forward Rabbi Matondo, with an option to sign on a permanent deal in the summer from the falling German giants Schalke 04.

 

Also penning this January is Jack Clarke who was one of the shining lights from Leeds’ 18/19 campaign, the winger has shown the qualities required to be successful in the Championship once again despite a disappointing 19/20 season after his £9m move to Tottenham and being loaned back to Leeds and then QPR in January 2020. The 20-year-old has linked up well in his first few games for Stoke with Championship veteran Steven Fletcher.

Finally, Rhys Norrington-Davies was loaned in during the January transfer window from Sheffield United after spending the first half of the season on loan at former Stoke boss Nathan Jones’ Luton Town. The left back has shown promise in his first handful of games in red and white.

This sensible recruitment model, and is the way Michael O’Neill is building his team currently due to being forced to comply with the tight Financial Fair-Play restrictions the club are facing.

2. Fans Return

The Potters have an incredibly passionate fanbase. Famous for having the loudest crowd in decibels whilst the club was in the Premier League which was louder than a jumbo jet engine!

During the COVID-19 pandemic, supporters of Stoke and all clubs have been starved of their matchday experience as the games have been forced to be played behind closed doors since the season restarted in June last year.

As we’ve seen this season across all four professional divisions, teams favour playing away from home. Stoke prove this as they sit sixth in the Championship away table and sit 15^th in the home table.

At the same time clubs fortunate enough to allow supporters in stadiums, albeit being reduced capacity and socially distanced, have made made a noise.

In recent years teams have breezed playing Stoke away,. But if fans hopefully return next season, it could lift the players, which could help the bet365 become a tough place to visit. An important factor if they are to make a push for promotion.

3. Blooding the Youth

A young squad with experienced professionals sprinkled into it goes a long way in the Championship. The Potters have some incredibly promising youngsters on their books including Josh Tymon (21) and England U21 international Joe Bursik (20) as well as a long list of players yet to break through from their highly talented youth academy.

Some of Stoke’s best players this season have been the younger players. As previously mentioned, Harry Souttar has risen to be one of the most promising youngsters coming through the division this season and has a strong chance of being named in the Championship Team of The Season.

The Scotland-born Aussie, 22, recently committed his future to the club last week after signing a new 4 and a half new deal which runs until the summer of 2025. He has a calm nature about his play, he is very rarely out of position and is a threat from set play in both boxes standing at a towering 6’7.

Partnering Souttar in defence is 19-year-old Nathan Collins. Whilst the Irishman has filled in at right back for the majority of the season, it’s a true reflection of his attitude and character which has attracted the attention of Manchester United, Arsenal and Burnley.

Collins broke into the first team in April 2019 and offers excellent leadership qualities – which has earned him the captain’s armband on several occasions.

 

At the opposite end of the pitch, Tyrese Campbell had been incredible for the Championship side this season before suffering a severe knee injury which ruled him out for the remainder of the 20/21 season in early December.

The versatile attacker clocked up seven goals and seven assists in 18 appearances in all competitions. Since his injury Stoke have struggled to find potency in attack and only had one win, which shows how crucial the 21-year-old is for the Championship side.

If Campbell replicates his fine form from the early stages of this season when he returns from injury next season, this could be another piece of The Potters’ promotion puzzle.

Michael O’Neill’s young men have shown incredible maturity so far this season. With a couple of good additions this summer, The North-Staffordshire outfit could be a smart bet for promotion next season.

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