The history books will show that Stoke City have come to the end of another season in the bottom half of the Championship, a sixth in a row, but that only tells half the story. The 2023/24 season saw an overhaul in the playing squad, a mid-season change in manager and technical director, a descent into a relegation scramble and a fight to safety.
Here is a run through the 35 players used in the Championship by Alex Neil and Steven Schumacher on the way to a 17th-place finish.
Lewis Baker (12 starts, 8 sub – 4 winning starts; 2 goals, 0 assists, 4 clean sheets)
Demoted as captain by Neil last summer and future might have been up in the air except for needing knee surgery in pre-season. Returned in December and started some key games under Schumacher, adding a goal threat from midfield to a team that was really struggling to score. Outstanding free-kick at Rotherham the obvious highlight. Fewer appearances in run-in and only year left on contract. Out of gas or out of favour? Seems at a crossroads. 5.5/10
Jack Bonham (14 starts, 0 sub – 2 winning starts; 5 clean sheets)
Got the emergency call again between Mark Travers and Daniel Iversen and superb late one-on-one save earned a crucial point in Schumacher’s first match in charge at home against Millwall. That’s 55 starts in three seasons for a player who had arrived as supposed third choice. Seems like a popular member of the goalkeeper’s union. 6/10
Jacob Brown (1 start, 0 sub – 1 winning start; 1 goal, 0 assists, 0 clean sheets)
A star turn in a 4-1 opening day win over Rotherham before he was whisked away to the Premier League by Luton Town. Stoke have missed the drive he brought to the forward line. N/A
Wouter Burger (31 starts, 8 sub – 7 winning starts; 3 goals, 4 assists, 8 clean sheets)
An encouraging first season in England which he will see as an important development chapter in his career. Moved around midfield roles and probably at his most effective when he’s directing traffic and things can flow through him next to a holding player. Will want to change more games in his second season plus cut out the silly moments that saw him clock up 11 yellow cards. 7/10
Tyrese Campbell (14 starts, 9 sub – 4 winning starts; 3 goals, 1 assist, 3 clean sheets)
From being booed in March to a standing ovation in May as he leaves with best wishes. Final four games leading the line were a reminder of his potential and he will need to harness that aggression and hunger to make an impact wherever he plays next season. Just never really got going for the first eight months of the season, partly due to injuries, partly due to not having a run of games and partly he has to take responsibility too. Crucial and beautifully-taken winner at Southampton. 5.5/10
Chiquinho (1 start, 2 sub – 0 winning starts; 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 clean sheets)
Remember him? Winger arrived on loan from Wolves in late July, didn’t particularly look up for it and ended up playing back in Portugal by the end of August. 2/10
Ciaran Clark (3 starts, 0 sub – 0 winning starts; 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 clean sheets)
Will probably be the answer to a difficult quiz question at some point. Joined as emergency free agent in centre-half injury crisis in October. Was fit to start the final three games under Neil heading into December, lost all three and wasn’t used again. Only appeared on the bench on four occasions after the turn of the year. 4/10
Luke Cundle (11 starts, 5 sub – 6 winning starts; 2 goals, 2 assists, 6 clean sheets)
Cancelled loan at Plymouth to help Schumacher put his own stamp on squad in January but ended up on the bench as form nosedived heading towards late February. Returned to the fold in late March and has since turned his status with supporters on its head. A pivotal player linking midfield and attack in final four matches, starting with vital equaliser at Sheffield Wednesday. 6.5/10
Niall Ennis (7 starts, 7 sub – 2 winning starts; 1 goal, 0 assists, 2 clean sheets)
Brought enthusiasm to the forward line after joining from Blackburn for £500,000 late on January window deadline day. Robbed of a freak goal at Swansea when keeper lost control of ball. Energy has been useful at times. 5.5/10
Dwight Gayle (4 starts, 6 sub – 1 winning start; 0 goals, 0 assists, 3 clean sheets)
Didn’t bode well for Neil when he was turning to Gayle again to ask to lead the forward line in October and November. Started with a decent performance in win at Middlesbrough but never looked a threat and was released in January to find a happier home at Derby in League One. 3.5/10
Lynden Gooch (19 starts, 10 sub – 4 winning starts; 2 goals, 0 assists, 2 clean sheets)
As billed when he arrived from Sunderland, a utility player who has given his all from right-back to left wing. Injuries have stalled his season at times when he seemed most likely to really stake his claim for a regular starting berth, such as when he was influential but then limped out of Boxing Day win at Birmingham. 6/10
Sead Haksabanovic (11 starts, 8 sub – 4 winning starts; 1 goal, 2 assists, 3 clean sheets)
Brought in by Neil and liked by Schumacher but all a bit too forgettable. Probably had his best performances in away wins at Bristol City, Middlesbrough and Hull but wasn’t really the answer to unlocking Stoke’s home form – which was the big hope when he was signed – and didn’t contribute enough game-changing moments. Never tasted a win from start or sub at the bet365. 5/10
Ki-Jana Hoever (35 starts, 5 sub – 15 winning starts; 4 goals, 5 assists, 14 clean sheets)
A big season of personal development after returning to Stoke but what a frustration for Stoke that he’s not their own player to develop. Not many better attacking right-backs in the Championship and a genuine and consistent threat when he gets into the final third. Probably didn’t help that he had selection rotating ahead of him but linked well at times with Mehdi Leris and seemed to relish partnership with Million Manhoef. Didn’t hide after a couple of costly mistakes and ended the season full of confidence and a late contender for player of the year. 7/10
Daniel Iversen (18 starts, 0 sub – 8 winning starts; 7 clean sheets)
Probably took a while to see the best of him after the best part of a year in the stands at Leicester but some key saves in the run-in and, probably even more importantly, a trusted figure behind the defence. No coincidence that he and the same back four ended with three successive clean sheets. Distancing, communication and trust were all big ticks. Would not be an unpopular summer signing. 7/10
Daniel Johnson (19 starts, 7 sub – 6 winning starts; 2 goals, 2 assists, 6 clean sheets)
Fairly or not, he shouldered a huge amount of stick from supporters after that awful defeat at Blackburn in February, when he had missed an early second-half penalty at 3-1 down. Was only in the match day squad once after then, as unused sub at Hull. Had been used regularly under Neil without really looking like he was going to be the first name on the teamsheet for the long-term. One year left on contract. 5/10
Nikola Jojic (0 starts, 1 sub – 0 winning starts; 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 clean sheets)
One of Stoke’s oddest signings in probably their entire history. A decent slice of a limited budget for a winger from Serbia, now aged 20, who hasn’t been able to make an impact for the under-21s that would turn first team coaches’ heads. N/A
Bae Junho (25 starts, 13 sub – 7 winning starts; 2 goals, 5 assists, 6 clean sheets)
And this is a continuation of his own personal campaign which started in March 2023. Moved to Stoke in the latter stages of the South Korean season, having caught the eye with his performances at under-20s World Cup. A proper footballer with a deft touch, boundless energy and, what everyone hopes, an emerging sense of how to change matches. Will be a big surprise if he doesn’t score and make a lot more goals next time around. Crowd favourite for good reason. 7.5/10
Josh Laurent (30 starts, 7 sub – 10 winning starts; 1 goal, 2 assists, 8 clean sheets)
Promoted to captain at a time last summer when clubs seemed to be checking out his availability. There was interest from Italy and apparently a scouting trip from Luton. Didn’t seem to settle consistently into his best form before he was dropped by Neil in October, although he had to fill in even at centre-half on one occasion. Injury in Schumacher’s first match then meant he wasn’t back starting regularly until March and he deserves credit for results in that time. He can make a big difference when he’s part of a furious press, like in last three games. 6/10
Mehdi Leris (18 starts, 12 sub – 5 winning starts; 2 goals, 2 assists, 6 clean sheets)
Can well believe it when Schumacher or Neil have said that no one works harder in training. A useful support to Hoever at times down the right and a stunning goal to spark turnaround at Bristol City. Hasn’t been able to contribute enough to Stoke scoring the goals needed to win games. 5.5/10
Nathan Lowe (3 starts, 10 sub – 0 winning starts; 1 goal, 0 assists, 0 clean sheets)
A fairy tale first goal to seal a 3-2 win at Bristol City and bizarrely not awarded penalty in subsequent first start at home against Southampton. Desperate to make a difference and Stoke will have to weigh up what is best for next stage of development; getting game time from the bench or time out on loan? 6/10
Million Manhoef (9 starts, 5 sub – 4 winning starts; 4 goals, 1 assist, 4 clean sheets)
A winger who proved he can make a difference for Stoke in home matches with a determination and ability to make things happen. Takes shots early, runs at defenders and gets fans out of their seats. Four goals in final three games at the bet365. Great fun to watch in those fixtures too. The big challenge will be to extend the form he has shown in the spring over the course of a long, cold, wet and wild Championship season. 6.5/10
Luke McNally (36 starts, 2 sub – 12 winning starts; 2 goals, 1 assist, 13 clean sheets)
Perhaps missed the kind of Kyle McFadzean senior partner he had enjoyed playing alongside at Coventry but has useful raw attributes for a centre-back in the Championship with his pace and physique. There were lapses of concentration when he probably wanted the ground to swallow him whole but he didn’t hide and scored a couple of crucial goals. 6/10
Ryan Mmaee (17 starts, 7 sub – 6 winning starts; 3 goals, 3 assists, 5 clean sheets)
Found a big difference in games in the Championship compared to Hungary in a difficult debut season. Showed promise at times but seemed to be falling out of favour with Neil before he was sent to the under-21s by Schumacher with complaints about his attitude. People might have been more forgiving if goals were flowing. Returned to the squad and, chastened, said he was ready to work for his shirt. Injury ended season prematurely and has it all to prove next season. 4/10
Ben Pearson (22 starts, 7 sub – 5 winning starts; 0 goals, 1 assist, 4 clean sheets)
An important signing for Neil and will be disappointed that he hasn’t been able to build on the platform he was given to be the main man. Only started three matches following the turn of the year and hasn’t completed 90 minutes since Swansea at home in mid-December. Picked up too many daft yellow cards, even if sometimes he does seem to be treated on reputation. Good to see his support for teammates while out injured in the run-in. 5/10
Michael Rose (35 starts, 2 sub – 12 winning starts; 1 goal, 0 assists, 11 clean sheets)
Always committed, quick across the pitch and comes across as a good, hard-working guy. Like McNally and Ben Wilmot, might benefit from being partnered with a Gerry Taggart or Abdoulaye Faye-style battle-hardened director of defenders. Only McNally (3,202) has played more minutes than the 28-year-old (3,139) and Stoke (60) ended up conceding fewer goals than two teams in the play-off places (Southampton, 63, and Norwich, 64). 6/10
Sol Sidibe (0 starts, 4 sub – 0 winning starts; 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 clean sheets)
A first glimpse of a midfielder who could be a big part of Stoke City’s next decade or beyond. The club’s youngest player in a league game for 65 years when he made his debut at 16 years and 176 days back in August. Pushed down the pecking order by transfer business, he has made an impression with the under-21s and will be back to stake his claim in pre-season. Clearly a huge talent. 6/10
Tommy Simkin (1 start, 0 sub – 0 winning starts; 0 clean sheets)
Thrown in for what turned out to be Neil’s last game as manager, at home against Sheffield Wednesday, after being recalled from a successful loan at Solihull Moors due to an injury crisis. High hopes for this England youth keeper who is as brave, strong and agile as you would expect from a junior martial arts champion. Loan to struggling Forest Green Rovers in League Two was the wrong choice, especially when Steve Cotterill took over as manager. The right loan next season will be important. N/A
Enda Stevens (18 starts, 3 sub – 8 winning starts; 0 goals, 0 assists, 8 clean sheets)
Perhaps the most difficult player to mark here. Only available for 18 starts but made a vital difference when he played. No coincidence that players alongside him and in front of him looked better when he was around and that Stoke’s results were decent too. Can handle the best wingers in the Championship, can keep possession and just know what to do. Extend Stoke’s points return with Stevens in the starting XI (1.5ppg) over a full season and they would be knocking on the door of the top six. If only he was a decade younger. 6.5/10
Junior Tchamadeu (9 starts, 6 sub – 2 winning starts; 0 goals, 0 assists, 2 clean sheets)
Some glimpses of potential with barrelling power down the right wing but still quite raw. Got a taste of international football with the African Cup of Nations too and will hopefully benefit from his experiences of the last few months. 6/10
Jordan Thompson (23 starts, 9 sub – 9 winning starts; 2 goals, 2 assists, 9 clean sheets)
An increasingly popular player thanks to his willingness to get stuck in and do a job for the team, whether that’s in holding midfield or at left-back. His work releasing Laurent and Cundle in the last three matches did not go unappreciated. A bit of a yellow card collector (13 in all, two more even than Pearson) but got a couple of goals too, both against Birmingham. 7/10
Leave a Reply