| 2020–21 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Joint-Chairman | John Coates andPeter Coates | ||
| Manager | Michael O'Neill | ||
| Stadium | bet365 Stadium | ||
| Championship | 14th | ||
| FA Cup | Third round | ||
| EFL Cup | Quarter-finals | ||
| Top goalscorer | League:Nick Powell (12) All:Nick Powell (12) | ||
The2020–21 season wasStoke City's 104th season in theFootball League, and the 44th in thesecond tier.[1]
Due to the ongoingCOVID-19 pandemic the 2020–21 season began later in September with matches continuing to played behind closed doors. Stoke began the season in good form, winning eight of their first 16 matches and were just outside the play-off places at the beginning of December. However a number of injuries to key players most notably toTyrese Campbell saw goals dry up and the team went nine games without a win at the turn of the year. Stoke were unable to put a sustained run of results together in March and April and ended the season in mid-table.
Stoke announced their retained list in July 2020, leaving the club were goalkeeperAdam Federici from the first team, and Jake Dunwoody, James Jennings,Ash Kigbu, Cameron McJannet, Tre Pemberton, Abdul Sankoh,Ollie Shenton andScott Wara from the under-23 squad.[2] Also leaving were the two players who agreed to temporary contract extensions to cover the final nine games of the2019–20 season,Mame Biram Diouf andStephen Ward.[3] O'Neill made his first signing of the summer bringing in formerSheffield Wednesday left-backMorgan Fox.[4] Centre-backJames Chester re-joined the club having spent the second half of last season on loan from Aston Villa.[5] Stoke brought in former Sheffield Wednesday strikerSteven Fletcher on 14 August.[6] FormerChelsea midfielderJohn Obi Mikel joined the club on 17 August 2020 having leftTrabzonspor in March.[7] On 9 September Stoke brought in wingerJacob Brown fromBarnsley.[8]
The squad returned toClayton Wood on 7 August and the following week travelled toBelfast for a training camp and a behind closed doors friendly againstNIFL Premiership championsLinfield atWindsor Park.[9] Stoke won 1–0 with a first half strike fromJosh Tymon.[10] They then played two matches against League One sides, losing 1–0 toBurton Albion and beatingShrewsbury Town 5–1.[11][12] Stoke ended their pre-season schedule with back-to-back wins overPremier League sidesLeeds United andNewcastle United.[13]
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Scorers | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 August 2020 | Linfield | A | 1–0 | Tymon 35' | Report |
| 22 August 2020 | Burton Albion | H | 0–1 | Report | |
| 25 August 2020 | Shrewsbury Town | H | 5–1 | Oakley-Boothe,Mikel,Ince,Afobe,Campbell | Report |
| 1 September 2020 | Leeds United | H | 3–0 | Collins 24',Gregory 52',Ince 62' | Report |
| 5 September 2020 | Newcastle United | A | 1–0 | Clucas 18' | Report |
Because the2019–20 season was extended into the summer of 2020 due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season started at a later date of 12 September 2020 with matches continuing to be played behind-closed doors.[14] The summer transfer window was open from 27 July to 16 October.[15]
For the season opener away atMillwall,Michael O'Neill started new signingsMorgan Fox andJohn Obi Mikel. The match was a cagey affair with few chances and it unsurprisingly ended in a goalless draw.[16] Stoke produced a poor performance in the first home game of the campaign againstBristol City, with the Robins winning 2–0 with goals fromNahki Wells andAndreas Weimann.[17] Stoke earned their first victory of the campaign away atPreston North End on 26 September. Preston started the match the better team but the match turned in Stoke's favor afterTom Barkhuizen was sent-off in the 22nd minute for a tackle on Morgan Fox. Stoke went on to win 1–0 with a close range finish fromLee Gregory.[18]
Stoke faced Birmingham City in the first match in October and despite having the better possession and chances they were frustrated by a well disciplined Birmingham side and they took the lead through aHarlee Dean header. O'Neill brought on Powell from the bench and he scored in the 86th minute to help Stoke earn a 1–1 draw.[19] Following the international break, Stoke travelled toLuton Town where former managerNathan Jones had returned to. After an uneventful first half Stoke scored twice early in the second through Fletcher and Powell to see out a 2–0 victory.[20] Four days later they took onBarnsley and poor defending cost them in the first half asElliot Simões gave the Tykes the lead before Campbell equalised just before half time only forDominik Frieser to score in stoppage time. A mistake fromJack Walton just after half time allowedTommy Smith to score his first goal for the club.Nathan Collins was sent-off for an off the ball incident with Frieser and Stoke were able to see out a 2–2 draw.[21] Collins' red card was later rescinded by the FA.[22] Stoke put in a fine performance against promotion favoritesBrentford and were 3–0 up after goals from Campbell, Fletcher and McClean before a late brace fromMarcus Forss ensured a nervy finish but Stoke were able to gain a 3–2 win.[23] City then produced an abject performance away atSwansea City where they lost 2–0 without having a shot on target.[24] Stoke ended October with a 1–0 win againstRotherham United with a long kick fromAngus Gunn being lobbed into the Millers net by McClean.[25]
Stoke were then controversially beaten 3–2 byWatford atVicarage Road. Fletcher had given Stoke an early lead beforeTom Cleverley leveled for Watford despite clearly barging into Angus Gunn. AJoão Pedro penalty put Watford in front with Stoke responding through Powell.Ismaïla Sarr won the match late on for the Hornets despite a handball in the build up.[26] Stoke beat early league leadersReading 3–0 with goals from Campbell, Fletcher and Brown to earn a first league victory at theMadjeski Stadium.[27] Stoke suffered an injury problem after both senior goalkeepers,Adam Davies andAngus Gunn were ruled out for up to two months withJosef Bursik being recalled from his loan at Doncaster Rovers. Bursik started two days later againstCarlos Corberán'sHuddersfield Town who took the lead throughCarel Eiting. Two quick goals from Campbell put Stoke in front beforeIsaac Mbenza levelled for the Terriers. An own goal fromRichard Stearman ensured Stoke went into half time with a 3–2 lead which was extended bySam Clucas early in the second half.Naby Sarr pulled another goal back for Huddersfield but Stoke held out for a 4–3 victory.[28] Stoke struggled against leaders Norwich City and were 3–0 down early in the second half after goals fromEmiliano Buendía and a brace fromTeemu Pukki. Buendía was then sent-off which sparked a comeback from Stoke with Campbell and Collins scoring but Norwich held on to win 3–2.[29] November ended with a drab goalless draw atTony Pulis'Sheffield Wednesday.[30]
Stoke's goalkeeping injury crisis worsened prior to the match againstWycombe Wanderers afterNiki Mäenpää who was signed on a temporary deal to provide cover for Bursik, also suffered an injury in training meaning thatAndy Lonergan was brought in on a similar contract.[31] 1,000 Wycombe fans were allowed to attend the match following the end of the second lockdown in England and they sawNick Powell score the only goal of the game after 72 minutes.[32] Stoke moved into a play-off position for the first time this season with a 1–0 win overMiddlesbrough thanks to a first half header from Nathan Collins.[33] They then missed the chance to move into an automatic place as Cardiff City came from behind to win 2–1.[34] A depleted Stoke team played out a goalless draw atDerby County on 12 December.[35] Stoke suffered another long-term injury after it was confirmed that Campbell would miss the rest of the season.[36] Three days later they played out another goalless draw this time away atQueens Park Rangers.[37] They then ground out a 1–0 win overBlackburn Rovers with Powell scoring an early diving header.[38] On Boxing day againstCoventry City, City played out a third consecutive goalless away draw.[39] Stoke ended 2020 with a 1–1 draw againstNottingham Forest in foggy conditions.[40]
Stoke began 2021 with a narrow defeat against promotion chasingAFC Bournemouth.[41] For the trip toBlackburn Rovers, O'Neil gave first starts to new signingsRabbi Matondo andRhys Norrington-Davies in what was Stoke's youngest starting eleven for 15 years with an average age of 25.[42] Powell gave Stoke a first half lead before Blackburn equalised throughJohn Buckley.James Chester was then sent-off after bringing downAdam Armstrong who was through on goal and Stoke held on for a 1–1 draw.[43] The side then drew 3–3 at relegation threatenedRotherham United with O'Neill critical of his teams defending.[44] Stoke ended January without a win after defeat againstWatford and a draw away atHuddersfield Town whereRhys Norrington-Davies was sent-off just before half time.[45]
In the January transfer window, O'Neill trimmed his squad by loaning outMoritz Bauer,Lee Gregory,Tom Ince,Liam Lindsay andKevin Wimmer whilstThibaud Verlinden left on a permanent basis. Coming in wereAlfie Doughty fromCharlton Athletic and three loansJack Clarke,Rabbi Matondo andRhys Norrington-Davies.[46]
Stoke's barren run of form continued into February with a goalless draw against Reading and a heavy defeat at Norwich.[47] Stoke ended their nine-game winless run with a 1–0 win againstSheffield Wednesday with Steven Fletcher scoring against his former club.[48] On 19 February 2021, club captainRyan Shawcross left Stoke by mutual consent after 14 years ahead of a move toInter Miami CF in the United States.[49] City coasted to a 3–0 win againstLuton Town with Powell scoring twice to complete a league double over the Hatters.[50] The team then put in an inept performance away atBarnsley, losing 2–0.[51] Stoke ended February with a first visit to theBrentford Community Stadium where they lost 2–1 despite taking the lead in the first minute.[52]
Stoke lost a third game in a row after a 2–1 defeat against Swansea. Powell gave City an early lead but goals fromConnor Roberts and a controversial late penalty fromAndré Ayew earned Swansea the win.[53] Three days later they ended their losing run with a 2–0 home win over rock bottomWycombe Wanderers, withRhys Norrington-Davies andHarry Souttar scoring their first goals for the club.[54] They were then easily beaten 3–0 byMiddlesbrough.[55] Stoke played out a goalless draw withCardiff City with under-23s strikerChristian Norton making his league debut.[56] A goal from Jacob Brown gave Stoke a 1–0 win againstDerby County in the final match of March to move the team past the 50 point mark.[57]
Over the Easter weekend Stoke had mixed fortunes as they beatBristol City 2–0 atAshton Gate on Good Friday but then lost 2–1 toMillwall on Easter Monday.[58][59] The following week the team lost again, this time 2–0 to relegation threatenedBirmingham City.[60] Following the Birmingham game assistant managerBilly McKinlay left the club and was replaced by the formerBristol City managerDean Holden.[61] Stoke played out a drab goalless draw withPreston North End on 17 April withHarry Souttar being sent-off late on after bringing downAlan Browne.[62] Stoke lost 3–2 toCoventry City, with O'Neil highly critical of his team's performance.[63] Stoke drew 1–1 atNottingham Forest withRabbi Matondo first goal for the club being cancelled out byLewis Grabban.[64]
Stoke lost their penultimate game of the season 2–0 toQueens Park Rangers.[65] Stoke ended the 2020–21 season with a 2–0 win againstAFC Bournemouth with academy graduateWill Forrester scoring on his debut.[66]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Millwall | 46 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 47 | 52 | −5 | 62 |
| 12 | Luton Town | 46 | 17 | 11 | 18 | 41 | 52 | −11 | 62 |
| 13 | Preston North End | 46 | 18 | 7 | 21 | 49 | 56 | −7 | 61 |
| 14 | Stoke City | 46 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 50 | 52 | −2 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 15 | 12 | 19 | 65 | 54 | +11 | 57 |
| 16 | Coventry City | 46 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 49 | 61 | −12 | 55 |
| 17 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 37 | 45 | −8 | 52 |
Stoke were drawn againstLeicester City in the FA Cup and were well beaten 4–0 making it five consecutive third round exits.[68]
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Scorers | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R3 | 9 January 2021 | Leicester City | H | 0–4 | Report |
In the first round of theEFL Cup Stoke beatEFL League One sideBlackpool 5–4 on penalties after a goalless ninety minutes.[69] On September 17 2020, Stoke went on to beatWolverhampton Wanderers in the second round, after a late winner fromJacob Brown.[70] In the Third Round, Stoke edged past League One sideGillingham 1–0 with a goal fromTyrese Campbell in the 37th minute.[71] City again won 1–0 in the fourth round away atAston Villa with a first half header fromSam Vokes.[72] Stoke faced a strongTottenham Hotspur side in the quarter-final. Spurs won 3–1 with goals fromGareth Bale,Ben Davies andHarry Kane whilstJordan Thompson scored his first goal for Stoke.[73]
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Scorers | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | 29 August 2020 | Blackpool | H | 0–0 (5–4 pens) | Report | |
| R2 | 17 September 2020 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | A | 1–0 | Brown 86' | Report |
| R3 | 23 September 2020 | Gillingham | H | 1–0 | Campbell 37' | Report |
| R4 | 1 October 2020 | Aston Villa | A | 1–0 | Vokes 26' | Report |
| QF | 23 December 2020 | Tottenham Hotspur | H | 1–3 | Thompson 53' | Report |
| No. | Pos. | Name | Championship | FA Cup | League Cup | Total | Discipline | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||||
| 1 | GK | 14(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15(1) | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 3 | DF | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 4 | MF | 15(3) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16(3) | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 5 | DF | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | DF | 26(2) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 30(2) | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| 7 | MF | 2(5) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2(5) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 9 | FW | 5(25) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2(1) | 1 | 8(26) | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 10 | FW | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 11 | MF | 17(7) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 22(7) | 2 | 9 | 0 | |
| 12 | DF | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 7 | 1 | |
| 13 | MF | 35(4) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 37(4) | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| 14 | DF | 34(1) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4(1) | 0 | 39(2) | 2 | 6 | 0 | |
| 15 | DF | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 16 | GK | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 17 | DF | 0(2) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1(2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 18 | MF | 27(14) | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2(2) | 1 | 30(16) | 6 | 8 | 0 | |
| 19 | FW | 3(3) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6(3) | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 20 | MF | 3(13) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3(2) | 0 | 6(15) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 21 | FW | 30(7) | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0(5) | 0 | 30(12) | 9 | 3 | 0 | |
| 22 | MF | 18(6) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 20(6) | 2 | 4 | 0 | |
| 23 | MF | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 23 | MF | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 24 | MF | 8(11) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1(1) | 0 | 9(12) | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 25 | MF | 38(1) | 12 | 0 | 0 | 2(1) | 0 | 40(2) | 12 | 5 | 0 | |
| 26 | FW | 13(3) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2(1) | 1 | 15(4) | 7 | 1 | 0 | |
| 28 | GK | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 32 | GK | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 34 | MF | 24(10) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 30(10) | 2 | 5 | 0 | |
| 35 | DF | 16(10) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 19(10) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 36 | DF | 38 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 43 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| 37 | DF | 19(3) | 2 | 0(1) | 0 | 4 | 0 | 23(4) | 2 | 3 | 1 | |
| 39 | DF | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 40 | GK | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 44 | FW | 2(4) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2(4) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 46 | DF | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| 47 | FW | 6(8) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6(8) | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 49 | FW | 5(5) | 1 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5(6) | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 50 | DF | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| — | GK | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Own goals | — | 3 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 3 | — | |||
| Date | Pos. | Name | From | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 August 2020 | DF | Free | [74] | ||
| 10 August 2020 | DF | Free | [75] | ||
| 14 August 2020 | FW | Free | [76] | ||
| 17 August 2020 | MF | Unattached | Free | [77] | |
| 9 September 2020 | MF | Undisclosed | [78] | ||
| 27 November 2020 | GK | Unattached | Free | [79] | |
| 2 December 2020 | GK | Unattached | Free | [80] | |
| 22 January 2020 | MF | Undisclosed | [81] | ||
| 2 February 2021 | FW | Undisclosed | [82] | ||
| 2 February 2021 | FW | Undisclosed | [83] |
| Date | Pos. | Name | To | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 June 2020 | MF | — | Released | [2] | |
| 30 June 2020 | MF | Free | [84] | ||
| 30 June 2020 | GK | Free | [85] | ||
| 30 June 2020 | FW | — | Released | [2] | |
| 30 June 2020 | MF | — | Released | [2] | |
| 30 June 2020 | DF | — | Released | [2] | |
| 30 June 2020 | DF | Free | [86] | ||
| 30 June 2020 | MF | — | Released | [2] | |
| 30 June 2020 | FW | — | Released | [2] | |
| 30 June 2020 | MF | Free | [87] | ||
| 30 June 2020 | DF | — | Released | [2] | |
| 17 July 2020 | DF | Released | [88][89] | ||
| 20 July 2020 | FW | Released | [90][91] | ||
| 8 August 2020 | FW | Undisclosed | [92] | ||
| 16 October 2020 | GK | Undisclosed | [93] | ||
| 9 January 2021 | GK | Free transfer | [94] | ||
| 22 January 2021 | MF | Undisclosed | [95] | ||
| 19 February 2021 | DF | Mutual Consent | [96][97][98] |
| Date from | Pos. | Name | From | Date to | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 October 2020 | GK | End of season | [93] | ||
| 7 January 2021 | FW | End of season | [99] | ||
| 12 January 2021 | DF | End of season | [100] | ||
| 14 January 2021 | FW | End of season | [101] |
| Date from | Pos. | Name | To | Date to | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 July 2020 | MF | 30 June 2021 | [102] | ||
| 20 August 2020 | GK | 30 June 2021 | [103] | ||
| 4 September 2020 | MF | 30 June 2021 | [104] | ||
| 9 September 2020 | MF | 30 June 2021 | [105] | ||
| 17 September 2020 | FW | 30 June 2021 | [106] | ||
| 28 September 2020 | MF | 7 February 2021 | [107] | ||
| 6 October 2020 | DF | 30 June 2021 | [108] | ||
| 15 October 2020 | DF | 20 January 2021 | [109] | ||
| 13 November 2020 | DF | December 2020 | [110] | ||
| 18 December 2020 | DF | 31 January 2021 | [111][112] | ||
| 27 January 2021 | DF | End of season | [113] | ||
| 1 February 2021 | FW | End of season | [114] | ||
| 1 February 2021 | MF | End of season | [115] | ||
| 1 February 2021 | DF | End of season | [116] | ||
| 1 February 2021 | DF | End of season | [117] | ||
| 5 February 2021 | DF | End of season | [118] | ||
| 7 February 2021 | MF | End of season | [119] | ||
| 8 April 2021 | GK | End of season | [120] |