Stoke City were finally able to secure their Championship safety after upsetting the odds, as they manage to squeeze past promotion chasing Brentford by a solitary goal. The result takes the potters to 53 points, which takes them back up to 17th in the table as they maintain their 5 point gap from the bottom 3. With only one more game to go, only Huddersfield will be able to overtake them points wise, as they themselves have accumulated a total of 51 points so far.
The most surprising statistic of them all is that if Stoke were to win again on Wednesday, it would mean that they finished on a higher points total than last season! Obviously a tough ask when considering they come up against Nottingham Forest away from home, but a challenge the players should look to deliver upon.
In their first campaign back in the Championship, the club managed a total of 55 points. As it currently stands this season, the Potters are on 53 points; a win would see them finish on 56 points, a point better off than the previous season.
After a terrible start to the campaign, conjuring up only 8 points in 15 games, survival this season seemed a distant goal. Michael O’Neill has worked wonders with this current Stoke side. Fans will now look forward to the future that lies ahead, as O’Neill looks to revamp the squad completely this summer. This is a monstrous job that lies ahead after what has been such a disappointing last three years in truth.
After proving they can beat the big boys of the league, as well as recent form since Christmas massively improving, Stoke City fans will be given a lot of belief when approaching the new season. With some new signings expected and a lot of deadwood to be shown the door by the club, for the first time in years, there seems to be a reason for optimism. Stoke must get their summer transfer dealings right this time around, as they might not be so fortunate next season if they get off to another slow start.
