Premier League Preview 2009/2010 – Stoke City & Sunderland

Stoke City
(Last season – 12th)

Last season one of the more interesting sub-plots in the Premier League was the long-running battle of principles that took place between Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion. The dispute embodied an age old conflict in football between proponents of the slick, attractive, attacking style of playing and those who champion a slightly uglier, harsher, less visually appealing game. This all culminated when Stoke did the double over their ideological rivals and West Brom tried to claim the moral high ground, as written in their programme:

“Stoke play their way, they are perfectly entitled to do so, just as the rest of us are entitled to an opinion on it. Ours is brave football, heroic football, football that gives people entertainment, ignites dreams and offers value for money, an absolute moral imperative. Albion football is football with principles, a belief system, a style you can be proud of, win, lose or draw.”

It was not only West Brom who approached Stoke from this moral standpoint. It became an assessment that seeped into popular opinion: Stoke are dirty, Stoke are unethical, Stoke are overly physical, Stoke don’t play the right way. Well, Stoke stayed up. Not only that but Tony Pulis’ men finished 12th, a position most supporters wouldn’t have even dreamed of before the season began. Stoke wildly exceeded expectations.

The challenge now for Pulis and his side is to build on a magnificent season and try to avoid the dreaded second season syndrome. It is a nasty affliction, and like swine flu nobody quite knows the cure, but if Stoke are to avoid catching it one group within the club they most certainly need behind them is the fans. A lot was made of the superb support offered by home fans at the Britannia Stadium to the extent where some poll or other voted it the league’s loudest ground, and only 4 clubs managed to go there and actually win all season. The worry now is that fans become expectant and easily agitated where last year they were patient and relentlessly supportive.

Pulis has worked hard over the summer in attempts to improve his squad but as it stands Stoke have only one new face, Dean Whitehead joining from Sunderland for £3 million. Whitehead should slot into midfield in place of long throw maestro Rory Delap, but Delap’s unique qualities will still no doubt be used by Pulis perhaps as a different option late in games. Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie remain key players for the club, while the defence is still solid and intimidating thanks to the bruising physical qualities of players like Ryan Shawcross and Abdoulaye Faye. With just two away wins Stoke’s away record was appalling last season. If they can improve on that and maintain good home form however the Potters should have no trouble staying up.

Key Man: Ricardo Fuller
One to Watch: Ryan Shawcross

In: Andres Vasquez (free, FC Zurich), Dean Whitehead (£3m, Sunderland)

Out: Vincent Pericard (released), Jimmy Phillips (released), Danzelle St Louis-Hamilton (loan, Vauxhall Motors), Seyi Olofinjana (£3m, Hull City), Ben Marshall (loan, Northampton Town)

Sunderland
(Last season – 16th)

The Ricky Sbragia years (or half year) were pretty forgettable for Sunderland fans. After Roy Keane upped and left Wearside seemingly on an angry whim, Sbragia took over reluctantly and stuttered his and the club’s way towards narrowly avoiding relegation.

Apart from a few games at the start of his time as caretaker, when the Black Cats beat West Brom 4-0 and Hull 4-1 away, the football during Sbragia’s tenure was largely dull, insipid, uninspiring stuff and by the end of the season it was pretty clear the Scotsman was not enjoying life as a manager. Unsurprising then that with survival ensured on the last day of the season Sbragia tendered his resignation almost immediately.

By way of replacement the Sunderland board continued the Manchester United connection and hired Steve Bruce. This looks a very shrewd bit of business by Niall Quinn and co. Bruce is to my mind one of the most talented young managers in the country. Having served an apprenticeship of sorts at five different clubs Bruce has learnt his trade humbly and improved markedly with experience.

Wigan prospered with the former United skipper in charge; where usually the Latics were relegation candidates he transformed them into a comfortable mid-table outfit, finishing 11th in his only full season there, and on a shoestring budget. His eye for a player was also demonstrated by the manner in which he virtually cornered the Central and South American markets bringing in classy players like Wilson Palacios and Maynor Figueroa.

At Sunderland Bruce has a bigger fanbase to serve and more money to spend, and he has not wasted time in dipping into the coffers. There is reason for optimism in all his purchases thus far; Darren Bent will score goals, Lee Cattermole is a bustling midfielder developing at a promising rate, Frazier Campbell will enjoy the increased responsibilities and Lorik Cana could prove to be the signing of the season if the former Marseille skipper performs as well as he did in France. Cana is a tough tackling, tenacious midfielder who was idolised by the club’s fans in the South of France and at £5 million in today’s market the signing looks an absolute steal. Kenwyne Jones is also still around to act as totem pole targetman. A Bent/Jones partnership could click nicely if Kieran Richardson and Steed Malbranque help provide the necessary creativity.

Overall, Sunderland look like being a completely different animal to the timid, dozy beast they were last season. Bruce has already given the Black Cats a far more dogged look about the team, and if they can get the fans behind them then the Stadium of Light could become a daunting place to visit. Forget any hangover from their relegation battl
e last year, Sunderland look equipped for a top ten finish.

Key Man: Darren Bent
One to Watch: Lorik Cana

In: Lee Cattermole (Wigan Athletic, £6m), Darren Bent (Tottenham Hotspur, £10m), Lorik Cana (Marseille, £5m), Fraizer Campbell (Manchester United, £3.5m), Paulo da Silva (Toluca, free), Michael Turner (Hull City, £6m).

Out: Michael Chopra (Cardiff, £4m), Dean Whitehead (Stoke City, £3m), Greg Halford (Wolves, £2m), Nick Colgan (Grimsby, free), Peter Hartley (Hartlepool, Free), Arnau Riera (released), David Connolly (released), Dwight Yorke (released), Darren Ward (released).

Comments/thoughts and predictions welcome.

English Premier League, Premier League 09/10, Previews, Stoke City, Sunderland