Pedigree: Stoke are the second oldest club in England, but only made their debut appearance in the glamour and glitz of the Premier League for the first time last season. This was their first campaign in the top flight since 1985 and how they grasped the chance with both hands, stunning the snipers and doubters by comfortably securing survival at a canter.
They're The Ones Who...have the loudest fans in the country - and the stats have proved it! Their supporters topped the chart with an ear-threatening average of 101.8 decibels last season. Many of the biggest and best sides have been reduced to whimpering kittens at the unforgiving - not to mention freezing - venue that is the Britannia Stadium. Arsene Wenger, Roy Keane, Martin O'Neill and the ill-fated Juande Ramos at Spurs were all managers to depart from the Potteries with bloodied noses last term.
If Money Were No Object: Tony Pulis, their manager, would surely want to find more top quality signings like James Beattie and Matthew Etherington. The pair arguably provided the catalyst for Stoke's survival after arriving in January - after months and months of transfer snubs from other targets. Now Pulis is hoping that he is no longer at the bottom of the food chain and can attract more proven Premier League performers. Another forward like Beattie would be a good start.
Stat Attack: Stoke had to wait until April, the penultimate month of the season, to finally secure their first away win from home. That was an amazing 16 game wait to end their travel sickness and Pulis can ill afford such a delay this season.
World Cup Watch: James Beattie (England). The £2.75million striker last played for England in 2003 while with Southampton but his goals arguably saved Stoke from the drop. Ryan Shawcross (England). The former Manchester United defender has already impressed at England under-21 level and Pulis believes he can make the full step up to the seniors. Glenn Whelan (Republic of Ireland). One of Stoke's many unsung performers, he was outstanding in the second half of the season.
Last Year's Magic Moment: Their 2-1 win over Arsenal in November marked Stoke's arrival in the Premier League - and really got up the nose of Gunners' manager Arsene Wenger. It was a microcosm of the Potters' season, with a lung-busting performance shattering the egos of their more illustrious, and talented, opponents on a bitterly cold afternoon.
In: Matthew Lund, Crewe, tribunal; Ben Marshall, Crewe, tribunal.
Out: Seya Olofinjana, Hull, £3m; Vincent Pericard, released; Tom Thorley, released; Jimmy Phillips, released; Marc Grocott released.
Driving Ambition: Pulis insists Stoke's dream is to secure survival three seasons running in the Premier League. He believes the cash banked from each successive season in the top flight will enable him to build a squad capable of looking up, rather than over their shoulders. Their first season's escape has already resulted in the club building a spanking new training ground.
The Reality: Stoke are the team the aristocrats hate to play and they will collect another load of scalps this season. Survival will be assured if the goals don't dry up.
How Outsiders View Them: The snipers continue to deride Stoke for their physical style of play and still insist that they rely too heavily on Rory Delap's gargantuan throw-ins. Towards the end of the season, however, this view softened as people realised that the modern game still has a place for good old fashioned organisation and team spirit.
Our Mole Says: Stoke are still trying to tempt strikers Obafemi Martins and Benjani to the Britannia Stadium.
Spending Money: Pulis shattered his transfer record last summer with a £5.5m swoop for Dave Kitson - and chairman Peter Coates insists he will be prepared to do the same again. Pulis can expect around £15m to spend.
The Boss: Hard as granite but approachable, Pulis is as old school as they come - and fully deserving of the plaudits he received last season despite all the doubters writing them off after just one game. Loved by his players, respected by his peers.
What To Say About The Squad: More perspiration than inspiration, they slightly tweaked their style of play to integrate James Beattie and Matthew Etherington in January - and they were all the better for it.
What Not To Say About The Squad: They are still not the prettiest team to watch in the Premier League, not that they care. All built around organisation and meticulously drilled formations which means you know exactly what to expect before a ball has even been kicked.
Best Friends or Bust-up: Step forward Ricardo Fuller and Andrew Griffin. The pair infamously fought on the pitch last December in the game at West Ham United - and Griffin has hardly played since. They claim they have kissed and made up but Griffin is now desperate to leave.
Our Prediction: Another season of ups and downs for Stoke, but their biggest weapon is the boisterous Britannia Stadium and teams will still view that trip with trepidation. Survival will be easily secured yet again.
Key Player: Abdoulaye Faye. The giant Senegal defender epitomises Stoke and his defensive heroics ensured he was one of the most under-rated players in the league last season.
Title Odds: 750/1
Relegation Odds: 16/1
Prediction: 15th
Last Season's Form:
League: 14th
FA Cup: 3rd round
League Cup: Quarter-Finals.
Top League Scorers: 11- Fuller, 7- Beattie.
Discipline: Yellow 71; Red 4.
Team Facts
Nickname: The Potters
Ground: The Britannia Stadium
Capacity: 27,500
Address: Britannia Stadium, Stanley Matthews Way, Stoke-on-Trent, England, ST4 4EG.
Fansites
http://oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/index.cgi
http://www.stokecity-mad.co.uk/
