END OF SEASON REVIEW
After returning from what turned out to be season long holiday, Stoke City chairman -Joe Morgan- is finally releasing his personal season review to the fans.
The new chairman wasn't able to have a bigger influence on his first season at the club as much as he would have liked. Before the start of the season, expectations were outlined. A mid table finish potential push for Europa League. Those expectations were certainly not met. Stoke just about managed to survive the drop, finishing 17th; 3 points above the relegation zone. This news was certainly not what Joe Morgan wanted to return to.
But onto the review
August
An unbeaten month to start the season.
Aston Villa - 1-0 (Nasri)
Arsenal - 0-0
Birmingham - 1-1 (Diouf - Won on penalties.) CapOneCup
Southampton - 1-1 (Walters)
Some good results to start the season. Particularly the Arsenal result. A small sense of optimism surrounded the Britannia as supporters saw their team look strong in each match.
September
A month of two halves
Leicester - 0-2
Swansea - 0-1
Man City - 1-0 (Diouf) CapOneCup
Burnley - 2-0 (Diouf ~2~)
The Leicester result was very disappointing as we should be picking up points against 'weaker' teams. However, the team showed what they were capable of with a good win against City.
October
Looks more disappointing than it was.
Newcastle - 0-4
Liverpool - 0-1
Manchester United - 0-1
Blackburn - 2-2 (Shea, Nasri ~ Lost on Pens) CapOneCup
In a month where we struggled to score, we did have some good performances against the teams in red. The first and last results of this month were the most frustrating.
November
Average at best
QPR - 1-2 (Walters)
West Brom - 1-1 (Diouf)
Tottenham - 0-0
Crystal Palace - 1-1 (Diouf)
Not much to say about this month, not happy with the QPR result however the Spurs result was decent. Would've hope to have got atleast one win this month. Our early season promise seems to be diminishing.
December
Oh Dear
West Ham - 0-1
Hull - 3-1 (Diouf ~2~ , Walters)
Sunderland - 0-3
Man City - 0-2
Everton - 0-2
Chelsea - 1-2 (Walters)
Aston Villa - 1-0 (Walters)
A month full of losses, some are understandable but it doesn't look good on our league position. We perhaps deserved a draw from the Chelsea game but deserving things is irrelevant in this business. Results count.
January
A Slight upturn in form
Brighton - 4-0 (Walters ~2~, Arnautovic, Shea) FA Cup
Arsenal - 0-5
Southampton - 2-1 (Nasri, Diouf)
Bournemouth - 4-0 (Odemwingie ~2~ , Diouf, Nasri) FA Cup
Leicester - 1-0 (Navas)
Some good victories this month were somewhat overshadowed by a heavy defeat by Arsenal. However, have managed to advance to the 5th round of the FA Cup.
February
Another OK month
Swansea - 3-0 (Shea, Diouf ~2~)
Burnley 1-1 (Diouf)
Newcastle 1-1 (Diouf)
Bristol City - 3-2 (Diouf ~2~, Shea) FA Cup
Manchester United - 0-3
We moved on another round in the FA Cup again and got 5 out of 12 available points. Could've been better but also a lot worse too.
March
Liverpool - 1-4 (Walters)
Tottenham - 2-2 (Odemwingie, Shea) FA Cup
QPR - 0-1
West Brom - 2-0 (Zarate, Diouf)
Tottenham - 1-3 (Walters)
Tottenham - 0-1 |REPLAY|
West Ham 1-1 (Cameron)
This month we finally left the FA Cup at the hands of Tottenham. This disappointment was supported by our poor league results too, this put us in real trouble.
April
One too many losses.
Crystal Palace - 2-1 (Diouf, Odemwingie)
Hull - 0-2
Sunderland - 1-2 (Nasri)
Everton - 2-0 (Diouf, Nasri)
Man City - 2-2 (Walters, Diouf)
Actually, a few good results against some good teams. But we lose against some of the more mid table teams. If we could sort that out we would be much better off.
May
A Month of 1 game
Chelsea - 0-2
The final game of the season and we finished 17th. Obviously not what we were all hoping for, but at least we are still in this league and can hopefully push on next season.