Team Focus: Premier League Preview Part 8 - Stoke and Sunderland
A seven-year association between manager and club came to an abrupt end this summer as Tony Pulis and Stoke City parted ways. The Potters have become infamous through their physical approach to English football and chairman Peter Coates insists that a change of direction was needed, with the 75-year-old entrusting Mark Hughes as the man to lead the club into a new era.
Having been sacked as QPR boss back in November, the Welshman will be keen to right any wrongs upon his return to Premier League management. Abiding by his chairman’s wishes, Hughes has aimed to strengthen areas that had been weakened following the release of a number of players who epitomised the previous system.
Marc Muniesa and Erik Pieters - two surprise signings to the neutral - arrived to solidify the defence, while the acquisition of Juan Agudelo on a pre-contract shows a serious sign of intent, although the USA international won’t be arriving until January. Moving away from the notion of Stoke being a dirty team will be Hughes’ first task and a tough one at that, seeing as the Potters committed the most fouls (485) in the Premier League last year.
It’s this facet of their game that has seen the club fail to accrue admirers within the game in the past, who have continuously lambasted the approach of Stoke, especially when Pulis was at the helm. Yet, the signings made thus far have indicated that Hughes is prepared to work hard in order to shift this mantra.
The additions of Muniesa and Pieters reinforce this notion, with both players keen to instigate attacks from the back rather than aim to utilise the aerial prowess of Peter Crouch through launches upfield. The England international won the most aerial duels (281) in Europe’s top 5 leagues last season and it was this threat that ensured Stoke remained in the top flight last year, having won just three leagues games in 2013.
Nevertheless, while Hughes will aim to alter the perception that the Potters have adopted following their 2008 promotion, this approach certainly served them well as they enter their sixth season in the top flight. However, the altering gameplan will take some time to adjust and while Stoke will likely survive the coming season; they may only do so by the skin of their teeth.
Position Last Season: 13th
New Signings (at time of writing): Marc Muniesa (Barcelona), Erik Pieters (PSV Eindhoven), Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution - arriving in January)
Possible Starting XI (4-4-2): Begovic; Huth, Shawcross, Muniesa, Pieters; Kightly, Adam, N’Zonzi, Etherington; Crouch, Walters
Predicted Finish (Average of Authors): 17th
Paolo Di Canio has been busy this summer reassembling a Sunderland squad that was beginning to fall behind a number of their Premier League rivals under Martin O’Neill. The Black Cats may have staved off the threat of relegation by only two points, but fans were encouraged by the performances on the pitch under Di Canio and the Italian’s enthusiasm off it.
Backed in the market, Di Canio made strengthening his ranks his priority with a number of astute acquisitions, none more so than Emmanuele Giaccherini, his compatriot having created a clear-cut chance every 29.4 minutes in Serie A last season; the 5th most often of players to make 10+ appearances. His graft would also epitomise the 45-year-old’s approach to this transfer window as Sunderland aim to improve upon their poor domestic campaign.
Having ended last season in 17th, the club will be keen to improve on this and with the level of investment this summer; Sunderland will be intent on reaping the rewards. Yet, Di Canio himself confirmed that he wasn’t quite done spending during the transfer window, as he revealed last week, and with the new season quickly approaching; it’s vital that the club’s hierarchy adhere to his demands for his need for two full-backs and a centre midfielder.
The latter in particular is of high importance, especially when taking into account the likelihood of Lee Cattermole leaving. Only Norwich City (509) and Reading (630) won possession fewer times in the midfield third than Sunderland (643) in the Premier League last season, and it’s this facet of their game that the Black Cats desperately need to ameliorate.
A host of midfielders have been linked with a move to the Stadium of Light as Di Canio goes about moulding the squad in his image, but it’s evident that the club need to strengthen further before the transfer window slams shut. Sunderland have looked a more solidified unit under Di Canio and the primary concern appears to be the lack of signings of Premier League quality up until the time of writing.
There’s also the worry that the influx of arrivals - 10 following the loan signing of Ondrej Celustka - will hamper the togetherness of the club, as is the concern with any team. The integration of his system, coupled with a full pre-season campaign under Di Canio’s stewardship will benefit the Black Cats, but it’s the lack of cohesion that comes with playing alongside one another that means Sunderland may well remain fearful of their Premier League future right up until the last few weeks of the season.
Position Last Season: 17th
New Signings (at time of writing): Emanuele Giaccherini (Juventus), El-Hadji Ba (Le Havre B), Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Vito Mannone (Arsenal), David Moberg Karlsson (IFK Göteborg), Modibo Diakité (Lazio), Cabral (FC Basel), Valentin Roberge (CS Marítimo), Duncan Watmore (Altrincham), Ondrej Celustka (Trabzonspor - loan)
Possible Starting XI (4-4-1-1): Mannone; Gardner, Diakité, O’Shea, Colback; Johnson, Larsson, Cabral, Giaccherini; Sessegnon; Altidore
Predicted Finish (Average of Authors): 16th
