How will Stoke fare this season following Tony Pulis' Deadline Day deals?

Amongst many people Stoke are thought of as a fairly robust mid-table outfit that on their day can compete with the best sides the Premier League has to offer. In the past however Stoke seems to have lacked a cutting edge to kill teams off when it really counts; exemplified by their narrow defeat in last seasons FA Cup Final against Roberto Mancini's Manchester City. In the semi-final of that competition they managed to crush Bolton 5-0; so they are a side that on their day can perform well. 

Since he arrived at the Brittania Stadium in 2006 Tony Pulis has enabled Stoke to become an established Premier League side. Last season the club were facing an 8th place finish, but the clubs' loss to Wigan on the final day resulted in a 13th place finish in what was a very open Premier League season. 

Transfer deadline day saw some major business, with Premier League clubs spending a total of £458m on recruiting playing personnel. Stoke did some very astute business by bringing in three players that will certainly strengthen the squad. Honduran International Wilson Palacios arrived from Tottenham for a fee of around £6m. With a lot of Premier League experience under his belt coupled with 76 international caps he is a good addition. Harry Redknapp liked to use him as a right-sided midfielder but I predict he will be used as a defensive midfielder; playing a holding role to allow the likes of Dean Whitehead to play slightly higher up the pitch. 

Pulis' business with Tottenham was not finished with Palacios; he also brought in England super-sub Peter Crouch! Whilst many have been quick to criticise this move, I think it is a decent bit of business for a Stoke side that are not rich with options up front. Crouch has cost in the region of £12m, which broke Stoke's previous transfer record. Crouch has been clearly frustrated with a lack of opportunity at Spurs in recent times, given the host of attacking options they have. With 22 goals in 42 appearances for England and a relatively decent club record he could work very well with Kenwyne Jones. 

Peter Crouch scored 7 goals in the Champions League for Tottenham last season. Can he continue his hunger for goals at the Brittania Stadium?

Finally, Pulis brought in Cameron Jerome from Birmingham City for an undisclosed fee. Jerome has always been a player who has not managed to demonstrate his ability to play at the top level. His five years at Birmingham saw him manage 37 goals in 181 games; though he has certainly clocked up some substitute appearances in that time. 

I believe that Tony Pulis has done some fantastic business for Stoke and really showed the intent of the club given in a season where they will also be playing in the Europa League. The three signings will add depth to the squad for a club who face a lot of fixtures this season. I think Crouch and Jones will give defenders in the league a horrible ride; particularly given the aerial threat they both pose! Palacios' tireless work ethic makes him a steady and pretty reliable holding midfielder, which will strengthen Stoke. I imagine Jerome to fulfill the role of bench boy at the start of his Stoke tenure, but if he manages to get a goal or two from the bench he may given Pulis some food for thought! 

Tony Pulis was patient and got what he wanted on Transfer Deadline Day.

Best of luck to Stoke! With the signings they have made I can see a comfortable top-half finish in store; possibly 7th/8th. With Cup Competitons (Carling Cup, FA Cup and Europa League) combined with a Premier League fixture list they will certainly need a strong squad. We may see Stoke emerging as a stronger footballing side in the coming weeks, which they will need to be given the fact they face Liverpool (H), Man Utd (A) and two Europa League fixtures in the month of September!

DH