The Potters kick off their Championship 23/24 season against Rotherham United with hopes of finally pushing for promotion after 5 seasons of mediocrity.
Hoping to improve upon their 16th-place finish from last season, The Potters are determined to get up and running by putting 3 points on the board against Rotherham United, although Matt Taylor's Rotherham will be no pushover.
Here’s everything you need to know about The Potters' 23/24 campaign opener…
Team News
The Potters have made plenty of acquisitions this transfer window leading to a rather big question being put forward as to what The Potters strongest starting eleven is. 11 signings have been made and with there rumoured to be more coming through, Alex Neil has a few difficult decisions to make for the Potters first match of the season.
A key signing has been the re-signing of Ben Pearson on a permanent deal from Bournemouth who acted as the anchor in Alex Neil’s system last season allowing the likes of Josh Laurent to really excel going forward. After many years of Stoke fans clamouring for a replacement for Glenn Whelan an appropriate replacement has hopefully finally been put in place.
Adjustments have been made to the defence through the signing of centre-back Luke McNally on loan from Burnley and the free transfer acquisition of centre-back Michael Rose from Coventry. The arrival of goalkeeper Mark Travers on loan from Bournemouth has hopefully put an end to the endless switching of goalkeepers that Stoke were seemingly obsessed with doing so often last season.
The re-signing of Ki-Jana Hoever on loan from Wolves and Enda Stevens has led many to question how Stoke City will play this season. Both are very attacking fullbacks with Stevens playing a crucial part in the wing-back position for Chris Wilder's Sheffield United who were promoted in the 18/19 campaign scoring 4 times and assisting 7.
On top of this attackers such as Chiquinho and Wesley have joined from Wolves and Aston Villa respectively, who have plenty of potential to excel in the second tier.
Perhaps the most exciting acquisitions for The Potters though are forwards Ryan Mmaee from Ferencváros and André Vidigal from Marítimo who provide some much-needed foreign flair to a Stoke side which has been lacking it for so long.
Form Guide
Obviously, there is not much evidence to go on as this is the opening game. But how have the clubs fared in pre-season? Stoke has won 2 drawn 1 and lost 2 of their 5 preseason friendlies. Whereas Rotherham have won 3 and lost 2 of their games including an impressive 1-0 win against Sheffield United.
Opposition Player to Look Out For
Rotherham’s Andre Green who signed after impressing as a trialist in pre-season may be someone The Potters need to keep an eye on. The striker scored in 2 of Rotherham’s preseason games including the impressive 1-0 win against Sheffield United.
Head-to-Head
Last season, The Millers provided a tricky challenge for The Potters with them being defeated at home1-0 and drawing to them away from home in a 2-2 draw. However, Stoke has been the most successful team overall with them winning 12 and drawing 9 out of the 32 times the teams have played each other.
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