The Club

Now an established side in the Premier League with close to a decade of participation, The Potters have become a club of envy for many larger sides stuck in the lower divisions. Although never a big club or a trophy winner, Stoke has become a club that, under Mark Hughes, has seen a few big names move in and enjoy times in Staffordshire.

With the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri wearing the shirt today, it’s no wonder this is seen by many as a Golden Era for the club.

2016-17 – How Was It?

Solid. A 13^th place finish might not sound too great, but they were only 2 points off coming an impressive 8^th place. However, they were also only 4 points clear of 17^th, showing you just how tight the league was this year. With the gap at the top showcasing itself massively in 16-17, clubs like Stoke had to settle for a less ambitious season.

However, consolidation in the top flight and some nice football played at times has meant that, for the season to come, Potters fans probably have a bit more hope that another top-half finish may return,

2017-18 – What Lies Ahead?

It really is hard to say – Stoke, while backed by money via Peter Coates, lack the real ability to go any further than they have. Regular European football on their turnover is unrealistic, as is the determination to continue to find players like Shaqiri – who had to have his arm pulled to join the club in the first place.

Progression, then, would probably just be more of the same. It might be a disheartening for Stoke fans, but it’s hard to see them regularly breaking into Europe, or even the top half, with 17-18 promising little more ambition. A likely mid-table finish awaits, barring some great work by Hughes in the transfer market.

The Club

The Baggies, once a yo-yo club, have established themselves as a Premier League club under the likes of Steve Clarke, Pepe Mel, Alan Irvine and Tony Pulis. League winners in 1920, the club has 5 FA Cup trophies and a League Cup, too, won in 1966. Today, fans cheer on the likes of Matt Phillips, Claudio Yacob and Nacer Chadli in a more continental looking West Brom side.

2016-17 – How Was It?

Solid – Pulis-level solid. They finished in 10^th, having hit the magical 40-point barrier with a glut of games to go. However, ‘Pulisitis’ struck and the club enjoyed a horror end to the season, moving from the glimmer of hope that European football awaited followed by a solid but unspectacular 10^th place finish.

Fans were happy with Pulis at first, but the sparkle appears to be dying out at West Brom in many ways. A proud fanbase seems to still expect their club to be able to compete higher up the league, so is Pulis safe?

2017-18 – What Lies Ahead?

That all depends on what awaits this summer. Transfer rumours for the club are thin on the ground, with more links to players of class leaving than coming in. forward Solomon Rondon is being linked with a move away after a disappointing season that seen 8 goals and 2 assists. If they sell Rondon and they cannot find a more suitable replacement, though, it’s going to be very hard for Pulis to keep improving the team.

With a rather tetchy fanbase for a club of their size, it’s likely that disharmony and expectation could hold back West Brom back. Top half would be an achievement again, but it’s likely to be mid-table obscurity once again.