Reviewing 2025/26

After an excellent start that saw them challenging for automatic promotion and sitting second at the end of November, the Potters collapsed. They lost seven of the next ten games and despite two wins over New Year, won just one game in the next twelve. They finished in 17th position enduring 5 defeats from the last 6 games and after an excellent first 3 months, ended up looking over the shoulder.

Despite the poor form Wales international Sorba Thomas more than played his part, contributing 21 goal/assists throughout 25/26.

Looking ahead to 2026/27

The Potters will be hoping to kick off the new campaign in similar fashion to last season, because if they don't and they replicate the form after that, they'll be relegation fodder for sure. An injury crisis at the club didn't help, but that's certainly not the only thing responsible for the lack of form from October onwards.

There was a real need for squad depth in 25/26 and the managerial team have certainly looked to fix that for the forthcoming season. Ethan Glabraith (£11.66m), Milan Smit (£5.5m), Djibril Soumare (£4m), Luke Graham (2.35m) and Svante Inglesson (£1.20m) have all arrive this summer and the total outgoings are a touch under £25m. An eye watering amount for a team that the bookies think will be mid table at best. What it shows is how ambitious the club are. And with Mark Robins in charge, it's one of the toughest clubs to mark a position down for.

Court Offside Tip

I've got the Potters down for a bottom half finish but they've played a good hand in the summer transfer window and signed some excellent talent. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them push some of the clubs I have above them, down the list. My advice for backing Stoke this season is to let them bed in for a few games and see how the land lies.