Stoke City were firm favourites in some quarters to make a swift return to the Championship and an opening day defeat to Bolton did not improve their odds. An early exit to the FA Cup to the hands of lowly Hartlepool only added to the worries of those concerned for Stoke’s top flight status but, in hindsight, the ability to concentrate on the league may well have helped Tony Pulis.

With fortress Britannia becoming an unwelcome visiting place for other teams, a lack of success on the road was more than compensated for by home form. Whilst the full three points did not always come their way, the ability of the Trotters to glean the odd point where none looked likely ultimately started to be reflected in their league position. Having once looked certainties for the drop, the escape from the relegation zone in which at one point they looked embedded was followed by a climb away from the ensuing dogfight and wins against Hull and Wigan not only secured a second season of premier League football but took Stoke to the lofty heights of 11^th.

A twelve place finish is a more than creditable performance but Pulis will be aware that the second season in the Premiership is often much harder than the first.