Stoke City

2009–10 season
Manager	Tony Pulis
Chairman	Peter Coates
League Cup	Round 4
Highest home attendance	27,500 (2)
Lowest home attendance	26,728
Home colours Away colours
← 2008–09 2010–11 →

The 2009–10 Premier League is Stoke City F.C.'s second consecutive season in the Premier League and their 54th overall season in English football's top flight. This article shows statistics of the club's players in the season, and also lists all matches that the club will play in the season.

[edit] Pre-season friendlies

On 8 June 2009 Stoke announced that they will play eight pre-season matches starting 12th July and ending on the 7th August.^[1] The first of these friendlies will be against local opposition Newcastle Town whom Stoke play every pre-season and Nantwich Town. Stoke announced that they will play both of these matches on the same day therefore splitting up the squad into two teams. Stoke will then send the squad to a training camp in Irdning, Austria for 1 week commencing 15 July 2009 and returning 22 July 2009 Playing in two matches.^[2]. The first match will be against 2.Bundesliga side St Pauli at the ATV Arena in Irdning^[3]. Four days later Stoke face Israeli Premier League Runners-up Hapoel Tel Aviv, however originally German Side Hoffenheim were scheduled to play Stoke but this match was cancelled^[4].

Upon their return from Austria, Stoke will play three matches against Championship Sides. First is a trip to last season's Play-off Semi-finalists Preston North End at Deepdale. Then against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on 29 July^[5] and against Derby County at Pride Park on 1 August ^[6]. The final pre-season match is at the Britannia Stadium when on 7 August Real Valladolid who finished in 14th position on last seasons La Liga are the visitors^[7].

Stoke started their pre-season in embarrassing fashion losing to both Newcastle Town and Nantwich Town. Splitting the squad up for both games seemed to disjoint Stoke and their non-league opponents took advantage. Ash Carter and Stoke fan Michael Lennon scored in both halves to seal the win for the dabbers. While at the Lyme Valley Newcastle Town recorded their first ever victory over Stoke since to two sides began to play each other in every Pre-season since 1985. Goals from Chris Budrys and a fantastic lob by David Foy which left rookie 'keeper Danzelle St Louis Hamilton red faced, Stoke did score when Matthew Etherington scored his first goal in Stoke colours since his move from West Ham United. Stoke then went over to Austria for a week to take part in a training camp playing in two matches. Stoke lost the first to German side St Pauli and drew the second against Israeli side Hapoel Tel Aviv. Salif Diao who rarely scores lobbed the Hapoel 'keeper Vincent Enyeama from 40 yards, Stoke strangely had to play in local Austrian side DSV Leoben green home strip as both teams brought their red and white strip.

Stoke made their first major signing of the summer on the 24 July as Dean Whitehead came in from Sunderland for a fee of £3 Million raising to £5 Million. Whitehead started in the match against Preston North End and he didn't have the best of starts as he missed an open goal from just 3 yards from goal. Liam Lawrence had a penalty saved by Preston 'keeper Andrew Lonergan. Jon Parkin was playing against the side which he left last summer but it was Neil Mellor who scored twice for North End with former Preston player Richard Cresswell replying for Stoke.

Stoke played the first of two East Midlands opposition at the City Ground in Nottingham. The match was played in a driving wind and rain, Forest took the lead in the through new signing David McGoldrick on the half hour. Three minutes after half time however Dave Kitson scored stoke equalising goal, Stoke then had the better of chances and should have gone on to win the match. New signing Ben Marshall made his first Stoke appearance which impressed visiting Northampton Town manager Stuart Gray who took Marshall on a three month loan.

Derby County was the next test for Stoke as Ryan Shotton made his first start in a Stoke shirt. Liam Lawrence scored a superb 30 yard strike which went in the top corner of the Derby goal after only seven minutes. Derby fought back though as one time stoke loanee Stephen Pearson scored for the Rams, Stoke re took the lead through Ricardo Fuller and look set for their first win of pre-season but Derby academy product Arnaud Mendy scored a brilliant overhead kick to earn Nigel Clough's side a share of the spoils.

The final friendly came at the Britannia where Spanish side Real Valladolid were the visitors. It was City who started the brighter and went in front after only 3 minutes gone when captain Abdoulaye Faye powered in a Etherington cross from the right. Stoke dominated the first half and had numerous chances but the second goal came from the penalty spot. Dave Kitson confidently scored his first Stoke goal a the Britannia Stadium. However in the second half the Spanish side took control and played neat passing it was the impressive Borja who scored a stunning goal before Alberto Bueno struck. The result left Stoke with no victory in pre-season.

Stoke announced that a mid-season friendly against Austin Aztex will be played on the 14 October 2009 at Nantwich's The Weaver Stadium. The Aztex are in a partnership with City and their visit is to allow the Americans access to Stoke's training grounds at Clayton Woods as part of their pre-season training.^[8]The Aztex have ex City striker Gifton Noel-Williams and one time academy player Salif Diao-Jiminez amongst there roster. Stoke fielded a side of Academy players and only Louis Moult having any first team experience. The Aztex won the game 1-0 with the goal coming from former Wrexham defender Gareth Evans.

[edit] Match results

[edit] Premier League

The 2009–10 Premier League fixtures were released on 17 June 2009, with Stoke City due to open their campaign against Championship Play-off Winners Burnley on 15 August 2009.^[18]

[edit] Results summary

Source: [1]

[edit] Results by round

Source: City Premier League results
Ground: A = Away; H = Home. Result: D = Draw; L = Lose; W = Win; P = Postponed.

[edit] Results

[edit] League Cup

Stoke started their League Cup campaign away to Leyton Orient, It was the first time the two sides have met in the League Cup and the first time since 1993. Stoke made 11 changes to the side that drew 0–0 with Birmingham City as manager Tony Pulis kept with his normal League cup side. Ryan Shotton made his first Stoke start and on the bench a number of youngsters such as Dave Parton and Matthew Lund appeared for the first time. In the first half Orient had the best chance when Adrian Patulea should have scored but failed. Richard Cresswell should have done the same before Dave Kitson headed against the bar. With both teams failing to break the deadlock the match went into extra time. The winning goal came from Kitson a brilliant 35 yard strike his first in Stoke colours, sent Stoke to the Third round to play Blackpool.

In the Third round against Blackpool two of Stoke's summer signings Diego Arismendi and Tuncay Sanli made their first starts. Blackpool scored the games opening goal just before half time when ex-Crewe player David Vaughan was allowed to run and shot to but the tangerines in front. It got worse for City as after half-time Billy Clarke one of the smallest players on the pitch managed to out jump a static Stoke defence and but Blackpool 2-0 up. That goal seemed to lift Stoke as they went all out to get back in the game. Alex Baptiste fouled Tuncay in the area and Liam Lawrence took the spot kick which was easily save by Matthew Gilks. Higginbotham pulled one back before Etherington scored his first goal for Stoke. Fuller and Tuncay combined to but Stoke in front however minutes later Ben Burgess made all even again and it looked like it was going to extra time before Andy Griffin sealed the win for Stoke.

In the Fourth round Stoke were handed an unwanted trip to Portsmouth. Stoke took the decision to fly to the South coast to avoid the long journey. It didn't have the desired effect as Portsmouth with the help of some comic Stoke defending easily won the match 4-0. Diego Arismendi put in a good performance and showing that he does have potential was the only positive Stoke could take away from an night to forget. It didn't get any better as on the flight back the players smelt burning and had to make an emergency landing.

[edit] FA Cup

[edit] Squad

Appearances for competitive matches only

No.	Pos.	Name	League		FA Cup		Carling Cup		Total		Discipline
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
1	GK	Steve Simonsen	1(1)	0	1	0	3	0	6	0	0	0
2	DF	Andy Griffin	0	0	0	0	2(1)	1	3	1	0	0
3	DF	Danny Higginbotham	7(1)	0	1	0	2	1	11	1	0	0
4	DF	Robert Huth	11(2)	1	1	0	0	0	14	1	4	0
5	DF	Leon Cort	0	0	1	0	3	0	4	0	1	0
6	MF	Glenn Whelan	11(5)	1	0	0	1	0	17	1	5	0
7	MF	Liam Lawrence	7(5)	0	1	0	2	0	14	0	0	0
8	MF	Tom Soares	0	0	0	0	2(1)	0	3	0	0	0
9	ST	James Beattie	11(7)	2	1	0	1	0	20	2	0	0
10	FW	Ricardo Fuller	13(5)	1	1	0	0(1)	1	20	2	4	0
11	FW	Mamady Sidibe	4(3)	0	1	0	0(1)	0	9	0	0	0
12	FW	Dave Kitson	5(4)	2	0	0	2	1	11	3	0	0
14	MF	Danny Pugh	0(3)	0	0	0	3	0	6	0	0	0
15	MF	Salif Diao	9	0	0	0	0	0	9	0	5	0
16	FW	Richard Cresswell (Out on loan)	1(1)	0	0	0	1	0	3	0	0	0
17	DF	Ryan Shawcross	16	2	0	0	0	0	16	2	5	0
18	MF	Dean Whitehead	16(2)	0	1	0	0	0	19	0	5	0
19	MF	Amdy Faye	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0
20	FW	Tuncay Şanlı	4(8)	1	1	0	2	0	14	1	1	0
21	DF	Andrew Davies (Out on loan)	0	0	0	0	0(1)	0	1	0	0	0
22	DF	Ibrahima Sonko (Out on loan)	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0
22	DF	Danny Collins	13	0	1	0	0	0	14	0	0	0
23	MF	Michael Tonge	0	0	0	0	2(1)	0	3	0	1	0
24	MF	Rory Delap	16(1)	0	1	0	0	0	18	0	3	0
25	DF	Abdoulaye Faye (c)	17(1)	1	0	0	0	0	18	1	3	1
26	MF	Matthew Etherington	18	2	1	0	0(1)	1	20	3	0	0
28	DF	Andy Wilkinson	13(1)	0	0	0	1	0	15	0	4	0
29	GK	Thomas Sørensen	18	0	1	0	0	0	19	0	0	0
30	DF	Ryan Shotton (Out on loan)	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0
31	DF	Carl Dickinson (Out on loan)	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0
32	MF	Diego Arismendi	0	0	0	0	2	0	2	0	0	0
35	FW	Ben Marshall (Out on loan)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
36	MF	Matthew Lund	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
37	MF	Nathaniel Wedderburn	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
38	GK	Danzelle St Louis-Hamilton (Out on loan)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
42	FW	Louis Moult	0	0	0	0	0(2)	0	2	0	1	0
43	GK	Dave Parton	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
44	MF	Ryan Connor	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

[edit] Transfers

[edit] In

#	Pos	Player	From	Fee	Date	Notes
35	FW	Ben Marshall	Crewe Alexandra	Compensation	7 July 2009	[42]
36	MF	Matthew Lund	Crewe Alexandra	Compensation	7 July 2009	[43]
18	MF	Dean Whitehead	Sunderland	£3 Million	24 July 2009	[44]
4	DF	Robert Huth	Middlesbrough	£5 Million	27 August 2009	[45]
20	FW	Tuncay Şanlı	Middlesbrough	£5 Million	28 August 2009	[46]
32	MF	Diego Arismendi	Club Nacional de Football	£2.5 Million	31 August 2009	[47]
22	DF	Danny Collins	Sunderland	£2.75 Million	1 September 2009	[48]

[edit] Out

Pos	Player	To	Fee	Date	Notes
FW	Vincent Péricard	Carlisle United	Free	2 June 2009	[49]
FW	Marc Grocott	Unattached	Released	2 June 2009	[50]
MF	Jimmy Phillips	Burton Albion	Free	1 August 2009	[51]
MF	Tom Thorley	Stafford Rangers	Free	17 July 2009	[52]
GK	Danzelle St Louis Hamilton	Vauxhall Motors	Loan	29 July 2009	[53]
MF	Seyi Olofinjana	Hull City	£3 Million	6 August 2009	[54]
MF	Ben Marshall	Northampton Town	Loan	7 August 2009	[55]
DF	Ibrahima Sonko	Hull City	Loan	1 September 2009	[56]
DF	Andrew Davies	Sheffield United	Loan	17 September 2009	[57]
DF	Carl Dickinson	Barnsley	Loan	24 September 2009	[58]
DF	Ryan Shotton	Barnsley	Loan	24 September 2009	[59]
FW	Richard Cresswell	Sheffield United	Loan	30 September 2009	[60]
FW	Dave Kitson	Middlesbrough	Loan	17 November 2009	[61]
MF	Michael Tonge	Preston North End	Loan	18 November 2009	[62]
MF	Tom Soares	Sheffield Wednesday	Loan	26 November 2009	[63]
MF	Nathaniel Wedderburn	Hereford United	Loan	26 November 2009	[64]

[edit] See also

• 2009–10 in English football
• List of Stoke City F.C. seasons

[edit] References