• The Magazine
  • Interviews
  • Current
  • Nostalgia
  • Legends
  • European
  • World
  • Log in
  • Subscribe
Menu
  • The Magazine
  • Interviews
  • Current
  • Nostalgia
  • Legends
  • European
  • World
  • Log in
  • Subscribe

Stoke building solid foundation in Premier League return bid

Pink by Pink
September 14, 2021
in British
How Stoke and Bolton swapped ownership of Premier League places and cold Tuesday nights

Stoke City have been treading water in the Championship under the tenure of Michael O’Neill, but have shown signs at the start of the 2021/2022 campaign that they could finally be ready to mount a challenge to return to the Premier League.

The Potters were relegated from the top flight in 2018 after a ten-year tenure, and many believed that the club was capable of making an immediate return. However, it failed to come to fruition as Gary Rowett and then Nathan Jones struggled in the dugout. O’Neill didn’t make a huge impact upon his initial arrival but has steadied the ship amid a turnover of players in the squad.

The Potters have now rounded their team into shape and are now one of the leading contenders in the English Football League Championship betting odds to win promotion at 12/1, although it will be worth monitoring the Championship betting tips to ensure that their promising start isn’t a false dawn in Staffordshire. There are encouraging signs that O’Neill is the man to return Stoke to the Premier League as he has placed importance on backing players with potential at the club in key positions.

Josef Bursik is one of the most notable players that has taken on the mantle in the early stages of the term. Bursik was farmed out on loan at a number of League One clubs in the last campaign, impressing Peterborough United in their surge for promotion before starring for Lincoln in the playoffs as an emergency loan in their win over Sunderland.

The 21-year-old has improved leaps and bounds since earning 15 appearances for the Potters last term and has ensured that he’s locked down the position between the posts. As an England Under-21 international, Bursik has a very bright future ahead of him, and the Potters will be hoping that will be for them in the top flight.

The backline is also flooded with great prospects with Ben Wilmot, Leo Ostigard and Harry Souttar in place. It’s a bold decision to play so many players in their early 20s in defence, but O’Neill has reaped the rewards thus far. Souttar, like Bursik, has cut his teeth in League One and hasn’t been overawed by the standard of the Championship, thriving with the captain’s armband against Huddersfield Town.

Wilmot was a savvy signing from Watford, who opted to allow the 21-year-old to leave despite playing a key role in their promotion campaign last year. Ostigard completes the trifecta of a three-man backline in front of Bursik, having joined on loan from Brighton.

There’ll no doubt be growing pains along the way in the campaign, but there’s hope that these players can develop as a unit. It could benefit the Potters in the short term in the Championship in their hopes of breaking out of the division, but also their future down the line in cultivating a key core of talented players.

There’s enough firepower at the other end of the field to ease the burden on the backline, meaning there’s not overwhelming pressure on them to deliver on a weekly basis. Therefore, O’Neill has time to be patient and allow what could be the foundation of the team for years to come to build over the course of the campaign.

Related Posts

Today’s Tales: Arsenal might just be sober enough to win the drunken stumble for 4th place in the Premier League
British

Top Five Assist Makers in Football History

The football season is in full swing, so if you're looking for some inspiration for your next bet, look...

by Jamie Ingram
December 13, 2022
0
Today’s Tales: And that’s how you draw level with Sir Bobby, Gary
British

England highlight World Cup depth after Switzerland win

England highlighted their credentials for the 2022 World Cup with a 2-1 win over Switzerland in their friendly clash...

by Jamie Ingram
December 13, 2022
0
British

Why footballers enjoy gaming so much

Gaming is a big part of every culture, especially as people grow up around technology and the ease of...

by Jamie Ingram
December 13, 2022
0
How the First Football World Cup Changed the Game Forever
British

How the First Football World Cup Changed the Game Forever

Nowadays, football is one of the most-watched sports in the entire world. Fans from all over the globe keep...

by Jamie Ingram
December 13, 2022
0
Load More
Next Post
The Football Pink’s Greatest: Football Books

The Football Pink's Greatest: Football Books

David Benavidez vs Caleb Plant - Mar 25
Current

David Benavidez vs Caleb Plant Odds: Fight Predictions, & Betting Tips for the Super Middleweight Showdown

by Jamie Ingram
March 22, 2023
0
0

Boxing fans are just days away from seeing rivals David Benavidez and Caleb Plant squaring off from inside the MGM...

Read more
March Madness

March Madness Bracket Strategy: Extensive Guide Focusing On the Best Bets for March Madness Pools (2023)

March 17, 2023
0
March Madness Bets

March Madness Bets, Odds & Predictions: Betting Tips For the Men’s NCAA Tournament First Round

March 25, 2023
0
UFC 286

UFC 286: Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3 Fight Odds, Betting Tips, and Predictions

March 16, 2023
0
super bowl 2024

Super Bowl Betting Odds 2024: Early Favorites, Predictions, and Super Bowl Betting Tips

March 16, 2023
0
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Profile

© Copyright 2023 – Football Pink

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Profile

© Copyright 2022 - Ronnie Dog Media All Rights Reserved. Live Score

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Gmail
  • Print Friendly
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • Tumblr