do we have it in us again

[hatchett]

???

Or will we be different ???

Can we push on ??? I don't want to push for this Europa, as it would stretch the squad.

[jacka118]

I would still be ecstatic with 17th next season, so long as we stay up i will be over the moon

[ogb]

No season is ever the same in the Premier League, but if we show the same gut, and spirit we have these past 9 months, and with a few additions in the summer, there is no reason why we can't match, or even better this season.

If we had won 3-4 more matches on the road, we would be serious contenders for the Europa Cup.

[takeshikovacs]

It may be tricky next season, as we'll find it tough to match our home form, and get as many home points next time round, so I think we'll need to improve away from home, and say pick up at least 4 wins and a few draws, to take some of the pressure off at home. Having said that, there will be three newbies in the division trying to find their feet, and we'd be favourites to get points off them at least.

[Scrotnig]

We need to improve, clearly. But we're no small time club any more - 17th is preferable to relegation but that's about it. We should, and will, achieve much more than that.

[march4]

Lets put it this way - we are in a stronger position now than we were 12 months ago.

[takeshikovacs]

Absolutely, and what a relief, for some of TP's purchases have been inspired this year (Beattie, Etherington), but we've also spent alot on decent players, but who haven't been able to break into the team (Oli, Tongue, Soares etc). OK they've strengthened the squad, but we could have bought one really good player for the sum we paid for all of them. Let's hope we spend big and wisely over the summer, and make very good use of potential loan signings.

Areas I'd like to see us strengthen: Left and right back - need a bit more solidity and creativity; one or two quality midfielders, one creative, one more defensive minded; one top notch striker. Not asking much am I?

[luke45]

There is no doubt that the first two seasons are the toughest for the promoted sides, but if we can rekindle this seasons fantastic home form it takes pressure of getting points away every other week. The 45 points that we have got this season ( so far ) would undoubtably keep us up next season again, but i think it also highly likely that the league wont be as tight next year at the bottom end and that the side in 17th place will have to accumulate more points than this season.

The hard work needs to be done on and off the field all over again, we need to invest further, and we need ( in my opinion ) to add more better quality depth to the side. At the moment i don't feel our back-up players ( Diao, Olofinjana, Cresswell, Sonko ) are of a good enough standard, any manager will tell you it's a squad that wins you games and achieves your goals not a starting XI.

I wouldn't be in a rush to get rid of a SINGLE player until suitable cover is in place, we need as bigger squad as we can get, especially if we have a successful run in the cups next year.

I think the one big advantage we have over alot of clubs is a sensible manager and a sensible chairman with their best interests being Stoke City. For a start i don't believe for one minute we would be in the premier league now without Coates investing the funds he did in the 07/08 season, and i also think we wouldn't have brought some of the players we have to the club without Pulis making sure he is 100% on the player and not paying above the odds.

Next season, like many, I'd take 17th place and survival, next season the odds will show that we are very much expected to be amongst the pack scrapping at the bottom and that will hopefully work to our advantage like it has this season.

Thankyou Coates, thankyou Pulis, and thankyou to the Players who have died for the cause week in week out.

The one thing i love about this club is the sense of unity and connection on and off the field, it feels like a team success from players and fans alike, and it's plain to see everyone of us is just grateful and delighted to be where we are.