While nobody could ever belittle the job that Tony Pulis did in getting Stoke City to the Premier League and then keeping them there, it seems that Mark Hughes has taken the club to another level.
Pulis was and still is renowned for making his teams difficult to beat and he is not ashamed to adopt a direct tactic. In contrast, under Hughes's management, Stoke have started to get the ball down and played some good football.
The result of the change last term was a record points haul (54) and following some of the acquisitions made by the Welsh manager this summer, spirits appear to be high at the Britannia - but can they build on that in 2015-16? Here, Sports Mole assesses their chances.
In
Jakob Haugaard (Midtylland), Philipp Wollscheid (Bayer Leverkusen), Joselu (Hannover 96), Marco van Ginkel (Chelsea, season-long loan), Shay Given (Aston Villa), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ibrahim Afellay (Barcelona), Sergio Molina (Real Madrid)
Out
Thomas Sorensen (Released), Wilson Palacios (Released), Steven Nzonzi (Sevilla), Asmir Begovic (Chelsea)
Last season - 9th
Manager - Mark Hughes
The 51-year-old was heavily criticised for his disappointing spell in charge of Queens Park Rangers, but given how the men that have followed him in the Loftus Road hotseat have fared since, perhaps Hughes did not do too bad a job after all. Stoke put their faith in the former Manchester United and Chelsea striker and slowly but surely, they have been rewarded.
Once known for being a physical outfit, there is now much more of a continental approach to football in the Potteries. This summer alone Hughes has raided the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen during his shopping trips. But what is also is important is the fact that he has not completely moved away from the qualities that Pulis left behind. With players such as Ryan Shawcross and Glenn Whelan still around, Hughes also has those that will battle if they are required to do so.
Key Player - Marco van Ginkel
Yet another Chelsea player that has been loaned out, Van Ginkel will see his switch to the Britannia Stadium as a chance to prove to his parent club that he is worthy of a place in their squad going forward. The midfielder spent last season on loan in Serie A with AC Milan, but injuries limited the number of appearances that he was able to make at San Siro.
The reason why he could be such an important player for Stoke this term is the fact that he has replaced the athletic Steven N'Zonzi in the heart of midfield. While he may not be as big a presence as the Frenchman, Van Ginkel is a technically gifted footballer who is useful from set-piece situations. With the height that Stoke possess, he could end up being one of the leading assist-makers in the Premier League during 2015-16.
Possible starting lineup
Butland; Pieters, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Johnson; Whelan, Van Ginkel, Ireland, Afellay, Bojan; Joselu
First game: Liverpool (H), Full fixture list
Sports Mole says
It's going to be an interesting campaign for 'Stokalona' - as they have been dubbed by many people. Hughes has rightly been credited for the job that he has carried out so far, but as is often the case, supporters will now be expecting more. With the greatest of respect to the players at Stoke, there is a good chance that last season was their ceiling.
Not that there is anything wrong with that. For a club like Stoke to be a constant presence in the top half of the Premier League should be regarded a fantastic achievement. With the signings that Hughes has made, coupled with the squad of players that they have joined, there is little reason why the Potters should not be in the higher echelons on the Premier League once again.
