Stoke City: Premier League season review 2014/15

We take a look back at Stoke City's 2014/15 campaign, with top quotes, stats and pundit views...

Stoke City

Finishing position: 9th (the same as last season)

Total points: 54 (+4 on last season)

FA Cup: Knocked out in fifth round by Blackburn Rovers

Capital One Cup: Knocked out in fourth round by Southampton

Season review

Stoke have never won as many games nor accumulated as many points in a single Premier League season as they have done this term. And yet, Mark Hughes is entitled to wonder how much better it could have been had his improving side not been so inconsistent throughout the campaign.

Two three-game losing streaks in the top flight were as bad as it got for Stoke, yet six home defeats – including reverses to Burnley and Leicester – contrasted with the Potters’ ability to beat Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham (twice).

Stoke fans had to wait until the end of September to see their team win on home soil, while losses to Burnley, Liverpool and Manchester United left the club just three points above the drop zone ahead of their home game with Arsenal. However, after a remarkable first-half, which saw Stoke race into a 3-0 lead, they held on for a 3-2 win.

The result kick-started a strong mid-season, with Hughes’ side losing just three of their next 14 – despite a season-ending injury to star summer signing Bojan in January. Jonathan Walters fired in the first Premier League hat-trick by a Stoke player against QPR, before late goals from Peter Crouch (in a draw with Newcastle), Victor Moses (in victory at Aston Villa) and Mame Biram Diouf (in a home win over Everton) secured valuable points to lift to Stoke to eighth. 

Consecutive defeats to West Brom, Crystal Palace and Chelsea – despite a Charlie Adam wonder strike from inside his own half – halted that progress but they were boosted by further late goals from Marko Arnautovic at West Ham and Adam at home to Southampton, followed by an impressive 3-0 win over Tottenham. The best was yet to come, however, and they rounded off the season in stunning style with their 6-1 thrashing of Liverpoola at the Britannia Stadium.

Paul Merson’s star player: Steven N’Zonzi

“He’s changed his game this season. Last year he thought he was a bit of a player – no disrespect. He’d try to get on the ball and spray it around, that’s not his job. He’s a box-to-box player, who wins the ball and gives it simple. Simple is sometimes very good.”

Quotes of the season

“There’s a way of playing that will get you in the Premier League and keep you in the Premier League but if you want to go a little bit higher you have to change and try something a little bit different. That’s what we’ve done and for the most part it’s worked.’ – Mark Hughes

“I had a look during the whole game and normally do. I always have a look because with these balls they move so much and when you have that much space and time it’s nice to do something like that.” – Charlie Adam on his long-range goal against Chelsea

“It's bitterly disappointing for the club but even more so for Bojan himself as he was making such a big impact on the Premier League and clearly enjoying his football.” – Hughes on Bojan’s season-ending injury

Stats of the season

- Stoke City have recorded their best ever points tally in the Premier League with 54

- Peter Crouch has scored 47 headed Premier League goals, the most in Premier League history along with Alan Shearer

- No team has conceded more goals from penalties than Stoke this season (five, tied with West Brom and Spurs)

Paul Merson’s view

“They have been outstanding. They’ve been one of the success stories of the season. They are consistent and always give the big teams a good game. Mark Hughes has done a brilliant job. Stoke play good football but when they need to mix it they mix it. They have been very impressive.”