Stoke City - Invincible?

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Two seasons ago, most Stoke and other football fans alike would not have expected Stoke City to have cemented their place as an established Premier League outfit.

Now, still under the guidance of Tony Pulis, that is exactly what they are, but why have Stoke done so well where the likes of West Brom have consistently failed?

It's always vital, especially for promoted teams, that you pick up enough points at home and don't leave anything to chance on away form.

Stoke City have done just that and have carried on from where they started in what is now their third consecutive season in England's top flight.



The Britannia Stadium has been one better than a fortress for Stoke throughout their Premier League stint.

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This season has been a slight disappointment for the Potters at home, even with 5 wins out of 11, which shows where their ambitions lie.

Only four home defeats against Manchester United, Tottenham, Fulham and Blackpool are something which have lifted the side to 8th in the top flight, thanks to three away wins, only one less than they picked up in the whole of last season.

The defence has always been solid at Stoke and they have contributed with more goals this season, but they will be looking to add to their 4 clean sheets so far in the new year. Clean sheets win points and that is a huge influence behind Pulis' side's form.

It's just as important, of course, that they score the goals to keep them up and that responsibility, largely, has come through their two key players; Kenwyne Jones and Matthew Etherington.

Jones, in particular, is unplayable at times, as Pulis said in his interview with the BBC, and is much more than his 5 league goals suggest, playing as a lone striker on occasions.

Kenwyne Jones put a halt to his unsuccessful spell at Sunderland but has become a key player at the Britannia Stadium.




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His physical prowess is something only shadowed by perhaps Carlton Cole, Kevin Davies and Jason Roberts in the Premier League and how every team outside of the top 4 would love to have such a talented striker who is so good in the air.

Maybe Steve Bruce could care to explain how he wasn't good enough for the North-East, although you could criticise his work rate at time.

Matthew Etherington is another player who any Stoke fan would say is crucial to their success.



Matthew Etherington is a rare breed in the Premier League; a winger who takes on the full back at every opportunity.

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Despite earning 3 caps at England U21 level, the winger, who I think is one of the best proper wingers in the league, has never earned a proper call up, despite his attacking nature and fantastic left foot.

That left foot has seen the 29 year old score three goals this season while his crossing continues to improve, producing a peach for Jones to head home at the weekend against Everton.

You would say the one thing the team is lacking is perhaps a solid midfielder who can win the ball back, but maybe Tony Pulis has something up his sleeve in the January transfer window.

The key element behind Stoke is belief, something which numerous teams are lacking this season and you wonder where that could take them, with the side only three points away from a Europa League spot in 6th.

That would be just deserts for a side which have moved on from being long throw specialists and have made the Premier League sit up and take notice that they can play good football, but it would be some achievement for one of the more impressive managers in the league.

Can Stoke City reach a European spot? How good is Kenwyne Jones? Please discuss below.