Stoke City FC
Last Season Summary
League ranking: 13th (46 pts)
Points per game (home: away): 1.79: 0.63
Goals per game (for: against): 1.21: 1.26
Number of clean sheets: 9
Top league scorer: Kenwyne Jones (9 goals)
Top league assister: Jermaine Pennant (7 assists)
Transfers
In: Jonathan Woodgate
Out: Abdoulaye Faye, Matthew Lund, Carl Dickinson
Predicted Season Finish: 11th
Just the right amount of strength and depth to sustain in the Premier League. The Potters have always been solid since they climbed to the top-flight league. As long as Britannia Stadium continues to be a stronghold, they will have no fear of relegation.
Fantasy Ace: Robert Huth (£6.0m)
Being a typical German centre-back, Huth exploded last season with an impressive 6-goal, 3-assist record, making him the best mid-priced defender last season. You will need to appreciate the fact that he's a Potter too, as the club is renowned for resolute defence especially at Britannia Stadium.
He's quite expensive now, but the competition for places thanks to the purchase of Woodgate will motivate him to perform better.
Decent Picks: Matthew Ehterington (£6.5m), Kenwyne Jones (£6.5m), Jermaine Pennant (£6.0m), Jonathan Walters (£6.0m)
Etherington has always been the engine of Stoke. Being the main man to take set pieces and also a bonus magnet, you will never be short of fantasy points from this man.
Bought expensively from Sunderland, Jones's performance has been satisfying so far. A pretty decent third striker with great support from midfield.
Pennant's career is far from impressive thus far, but a season at Stoke have ignited his form. 3 goals and 7 assists certainly don't look bad for a budget midfielder.
Frequently featured as sub, Walters can be very explosive at times. More of his goals were scored at cup games last season, and hopefully he can produce more of them at league this time around.
Worth Scouting: Ryan Shawcross (£5.0m)
For some reason Shawcross somewhat reaches a bottleneck at Stoke, with Huth surpassing him as the best performing defender. The former Manchester United youth might just need some fresh air with another club. He can't be bad when several big clubs have approached him.
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