2006–07 Stoke City F.C. season

Stoke City
2006–07 season
Chairman Peter Coates
Manager Tony Pulis
Stadium Britannia Stadium
Football League Championship 8th (73 Points)
FA Cup Fourth Round
League Cup First Round
Top goalscorer League: Ricardo Fuller (10)
All: Ricardo Fuller (11)
Highest home attendance 23,017 vs Southend United (3 February 2007)
Lowest home attendance 11,626 vs Plymouth Argyle (26 August 2006)
Average home league attendance 15,749
Home colours
Away colours
← 2005–06 2007–08 →

The 2006–07 season was Stoke City's 100th in the Football League, the 40th in the second tier and third in the Championship.

With the return of Peter Coates and Tony Pulis the objective was to now gain a long awaited return to the top flight of English football. Pulis was not a popular choice of manager amongst Stoke supporters and that feeling failed to be improved after a poor start to the season. But Coates provided Pulis with funds to spend on Danny Higginbotham, Ricardo Fuller and several high profile loan arrivals including Lee Hendrie, Liam Lawrence, Rory Delap, Salif Diao, Andy Griffin and Patrik Berger. Stoke marked a turn around in the direction of the club with a 4–0 win away at Leeds United.

From then on Stoke produced a number of impressive performances as the side began to climb up the table. Stoke went into the final month of the season looking to claim a play-off spot but despite beating the likes of Leicester City and West Bromwich Albion frustrating draws against Cardiff City and Hull City meant that Stoke needed to win their final match away at Queens Park Rangers to have a chance of finishing 6th. It was not to be as a 1–1 was the result and City missed out on the play-offs by two points but it was a very positive season for the club.[1]

Season review

League

With Peter Coates and Tony Pulis back at the Britannia Stadium the main objective was to challenge for a place in the Premier League. The first act Pulis was since returning as manager was to bring in French forward Vincent Péricard from the club he just left Plymouth Argyle.[2] Despite Pulis expecting big things from him, Péricard failed to impress and is considered one of the worst players to play for the club by supporters. A more successful signing was that of Southampton defender Danny Higginbotham for £225,000.[3] Stoke lost their first match of the season away at newly promoted Southend United but won their first home match 2–0 against a Derby County side tipped to be promoted.[4] But after a woefully boring draw at home to Plymouth, Pulis was booed by the Stoke supporters.[5] On transfer deadline Stoke completed the signing of Jamaican striker Ricardo Fuller for a fee of £500,000 and he would go on to have an eventful six year career with the club.[6] Pulis again took stick from supporters after seeing their side throw away a two goal lead at Barnsley.[7] However despite the poor start to the season Coates remained in full support of Pulis.[8]

To address the problem Stoke signed Aston Villa winger Lee Hendrie, Liverpool midfielder Salif Diao and Sunderland midfielder Rory Delap whilst Andy Griffin extended his loan deal.[9][10] And in their first match away at crisis club Leeds United Stoke produced a fine display winning 4–0 which signalled a change in the direction of the club.[11] Stoke won their next match against top of the table Sunderland but suffered a blow as Rory Delap broke his leg in two places.[12] Stoke then beat Norwich City 5–0 and signed Sunderland winger Liam Lawrence.[13] This combined with a five match winning run pushed Stoke up the table and after a 1–0 win against Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Steve Simonsen made history by keeping seven successive clean sheets.[14] But Stoke were brought back down to Earth with a bump, losing 3–0 away at Colchester United.[15]

In the January transfer window, Stoke signed Lee Martin, Dominic Matteo, Gabriel Zakuani and Jonathan Fortune whilst captain Michael Duberry left for Reading leaving Higginbotham to take over as club captain.[16] Stoke then went through a tough run of form winning just two from ten until the end of March before beating Leicester City to get their promotion push back on track. Stoke then beat West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace before frustrating draws against Cardiff City and Hull City prevented Stoke closing the gap on 6th place Southampton. Stoke won their penultimate match of the season 3–1 against Colchester United to set up a decisive encounter away at Queens Park Rangers. However Stoke produced a disappointing performance and could only draw 1–1 meaning that they missed out on a play-off place by two points.[17] Despite failing to reach the play-offs the feeling was greatly improved around the club for quite a while and there were high hopes Stoke could go one better in 2007–08 and finally gain promotion back to the top tier.[18]

League Cup

Stoke kept up their poor showing in the first round of the League Cup this time in a truly woeful defeat against League Two Darlington. Stoke, at home, took the lead through Vincent Péricard after half an hour before Darlington were reduced to ten men. With a man advantage against poor opposition the expectation was to see out a routine win but Darlington scored twice without replay leaving Stoke and manager Pulis embarrassed.[19]

FA Cup

Two late goals saw Stoke see off League One Millwall in the third round to set up an away match against Fulham but Stoke were easily beaten 3–0.[20]

Final league table

PosClubPWDLFAGDPts
1Sunderland46277127647+2988
2Birmingham City46268126742+2586
3Derby County46259126246+1684
4West Bromwich Albion462210148155+2676
5Wolverhampton Wanderers462210145956+376
6Southampton462112137753+2475
7Preston North End46228166453+1174
8Stoke City461916116241+2173
9Sheffield Wednesday462011157066+471
10Colchester United46209177056+1469
11Plymouth Argyle461716136362+167
12Crystal Palace461811175951+865
13Cardiff City461713165753+464
14Ipswich Town46188206459+562
15Burnley461512195249+357
16Norwich City46169215671–1557
17Coventry City46168224762–1556
18Queens Park Rangers461411215468–1453
19Leicester City461314194964–1553
20Barnsley46155265385–3250
21Hull City461310235167–1649
22Southend United461012244780–3342
23Luton Town461010265381–2840
24Leeds United46137264672–2636*

Key: P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

* Leeds United had 10 points deducted for entering administration

Results

Stoke's score comes first

Legend

Win Draw Loss

Pre-Season Friendlies

MatchDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
19 July 2006Newcastle TownA2–0Sidibé, Nathan Blake
212 July 2006Chester CityA2–0Sigurðsson, Kopteff
316 July 2006FC GratkornA1–2Brammer
418 July 2006ManisasporA1–1Hoefkens (pen)
525 July 2006PSV EindhovenH0–04,175
628 July 2006Grimsby TownA1–0867Russell 65'

Football League Championship

MatchDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersReport
1 5 August 2006 Southend UnitedA0–18,971Report
2 8 August 2006 Derby CountyH2–020,013Péricard 18', Russell 58'Report
3 12 August 2006 Birmingham CityH0–012,347Report
4 19 August 2006 Luton TownA2–27,727Sweeney 10', Chadwick 70'Report
5 26 August 2006 Plymouth ArgyleH1–111,626Sidibé 39'Report
6 9 September 2006 BarnsleyA2–210,464Hill 3', Chadwick 23'Report
7 12 September 2006 Sheffield WednesdayA1–119,966Paterson 34'Report
8 16 September 2006 BurnleyH0–112,247Report
9 23 September 2006 Wolverhampton WanderersA0–219,489Report
10 30 September 2006 Preston North EndH1–114,342Fuller 41'Report
11 14 October 2006 Leeds UnitedA4–018,173Hendrie 7', Griffin 58', Higginbotham 62', Fuller 88'Report
12 17 October 2006 SunderlandH2–114,482Hendrie 50', Péricard 54'Report
13 21 October 2006 SouthamptonA0–120,531Report
14 28 October 2006 Norwich CityH5–013,444Hendrie 22', Fuller 38', Higginbotham 74' (pen), Chadwick 79', Russell 90+2'Report
15 31 October 2006 Leicester CityA1–221,107Fuller 42'Report
16 6 November 2006 Coventry CityH1–019,055Griffin 60'Report
17 11 November 2006 Crystal PalaceA1–018,868Russell 38'Report
18 18 November 2006 Hull CityA2–016,940Higginbotham 2', Russell 80'Report
19 25 November 2006 West Bromwich AlbionH1–018,282Higginbotham 40' (pen)Report
20 28 November 2006 Cardiff CityH3–015,309Fuller 60', Lawrence 63', Sidibé 65'Report
21 2 December 2006 Coventry CityA0–019,073Report
22 9 December 2006 Queens Park RangersH1–016,487Higginbotham 17' (pen)Report
23 16 December 2006 Colchester UnitedA0–35,345Report
24 23 December 2006 Ipswich TownA1–020,369Lawrence 71'Report
25 26 December 2006 Sheffield WednesdayH1–223,003Sidibé 60'Report
26 26 December 2006 Leeds UnitedH3–118,128Sidibé 12', Ehiogu 54' (o.g.), Fuller 77'Report
27 13 January 2007 Wolverhampton WanderersH1–115,882Hill 85'Report
28 20 January 2007 Preston North EndA2–315,151Lawrence 2', Sidibé 7'Report
29 23 January 2007 BurnleyA1–012,109Sidibé 24'Report
30 30 January 2007 Ipswich TownH0–011,182Report
31 3 February 2007 Southend UnitedH1–123,017Fuller 31'Report
32 11 February 2007 Birmingham CityA0–115,854Report
33 17 February 2007 Luton TownH0–012,375Report
34 21 February 2007 Derby CountyA2–024,897Higginbotham 15' (pen), Matteo 26'Report
35 26 February 2007 BarnsleyH0–113,114Report
36 3 March 2007 Plymouth ArgyleA1–112,539Russell 55'Report
37 10 March 2007 SouthamptonH2–113,404Fortune 34', Martin 72'Report
38 13 March 2007 SunderlandA2–231,358Russell 22', Hoefkens 45+3'Report
39 24 March 2007 Norwich CityA0–124,293Report
40 31 March 2007 Leicester CityH4–213,303Parkin 18', Fuller 29' (pen), Sidibé 79', Lawrence 90+3'Report
41 7 April 2007 West Bromwich AlbionA3–120,386Fuller 14', Greening 21' (o.g.), Parkin 22'Report
42 9 April 2007 Crystal PalaceH2–113,616Parkin 20', Fuller 27'Report
43 14 April 2007 Cardiff CityA1–111,664Hoefkens 30'Report
44 21 April 2007 Hull CityH1–117,109Lawrence 45+4'Report
45 28 April 2007 Colchester UnitedH3–120,108Russell 53', Sidibé 57', Higginbotham 62'Report
46 6 May 2007 Queens Park RangersA1–116,741Sidibé 84'Report

FA Cup

Main article: 2006–07 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersReport
R3 5 January 2007 MillwallH2–08,024Elliott 84' (o.g.), Fuller 87'Report
R4 27 January 2007 FulhamA0–311,059Report

League Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersReport
R122 August 2006 DarlingtonH1–23,573Péricard 29'Report

Squad statistics

No. Pos. Name League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1GKEngland Steve Simonsen 4602010490
2DFBelgium Carl Hoefkens 42(3)2200044(3)2
3DFEngland Marlon Broomes 00000000
4MFEngland John Eustace 7(8)0100(1)08(9)0
5DFEngland Michael Duberry 2902010320
5DFEngland Jonathan Fortune 1410000141
6DFEngland Clint Hill 15(3)2101017(3)1
7FWGuinea Sambégou Bangoura 1(3)000001(3)0
8MFEngland Dave Brammer 11(11)00(1)00011(12)0
8MFEngland Jon Parkin 5(1)300005(1)3
9FWMali Mamady Sidibé 42(1)9201045(1)9
10FWIceland Hannes Sigurðsson 0(2)0000(1)00(3)0
10FWJamaica Ricardo Fuller 25(5)101(1)10026(6)11
11MFScotland Kevin Harper 0(3)0000(1)00(4)0
12MFScotland Peter Sweeney 10(3)1101012(3)1
14DFEngland Danny Higginbotham 4472000467
15FWFrance Vincent Péricard 17(12)2101119(12)3
16MFEngland Lee Hendrie 26(2)3000026(2)3
17MFEngland Darel Russell 40(3)7201043(3)7
18MFSenegal Salif Diao 2701(1)00028(1)0
19MFEngland Luke Chadwick 13(2)3000013(2)3
19DFScotland Dominic Matteo 911000101
20DFEngland Andy Griffin 32(1)2100033(1)2
21MFEngland Lee Martin 4(9)110005(9)1
22DFEngland Lewis Buxton 10000010
23MFRepublic of Ireland Liam Lawrence 2751000285
24MFRepublic of Ireland Rory Delap 20000020
25GKEngland Russell Hoult 00000000
26MFWales Anthony Pulis 0(1)000101(1)0
27MFCzech Republic Patrik Berger 1(6)000001(6)0
27DFDemocratic Republic of the Congo Gabriel Zakuani 90000090
28DFEngland Andy Wilkinson 2(2)00(1)0002(3)0
29MFNorthern Ireland Jeff Whitley 0(3)000101(3)0
30FWNorthern Ireland Martin Paterson 0(9)1000(1)00(10)1
31DFEngland Carl Dickinson 5(8)000106(8)0
32MFHungary Ádám Vass 00000000
33GKRepublic of Ireland Robert Duggan 00000000
34FWRepublic of Ireland Adam Rooney 0(10)00(2)0000(12)0
35MFNorthern Ireland Robert Garrett 00000000
36MFNorthern Ireland Matthew Hazley 00000000
37FWEngland Keith Thomas 00000000
––Own goals –2–1–0–3

Reserves

MatchDateOpponentVenueResultScorers
116 August 2006Sheffield WednesdayA1–2Hazley
223 August 2006WalsallH0–0
330 August 2006Shrewsbury TownA4–1Paterson (3), Rooney
46 September 2006BarnsleyH3–1Harper, Pulis, Rooney
529 September 2006Port ValeA0–0
65 October 2006Birmingham CityH0–1
710 October 2006Huddersfield TownH0–0
818 October 2006Nottingham ForestA1–0Bangoura
99 November 2006Leeds UnitedH2–1Buxton, Rooney
1014 November 2006West Bromwich AlbionA1–3Paterson
1122 November 2006Bradford CityH3–1Garrett (2), Vass
126 December 2006BarnsleyA2–2Thomas, Potter (o.g.)
1310 January 2007Sheffield WednesdayH1–1Rooney
1414 February 2007Port ValeH0–0
1527 February 2007Shrewsbury TownH1–4Paterson
1622 March 2007Nottingham ForestH0–4
1728 March 2007WalsallA1–4Marc Grocott
185 April 2007Leeds UnitedA0–5
1912 April 2007West Bromwich AlbionH1–1Opoka
2024 April 2007Bradford CityA3–1Opoka, Ndiwa, Robinson

Reserve Appearances

Pos. Name League
Apps Goals
FWGuinea Sambégou Bangoura 71
MFBrazil Jorge Baidek 10
MFEngland Dave Brammer 20
DFEngland Marlon Broomes 10
FWEngland Darren Brunt 1 (6)0
DFEngland Lewis Buxton 30
MFSenegal Aliou Cissé 10
DFEngland James Curley 5 (2)0
DFEngland Carl Dickinson 90
MFAustralia Hayden Doyle 7 (3)0
GKRepublic of Ireland Robert Duggan 120
MFEngland John Eustace 50
MFEngland Daryl Fordyce 20
MFNorthern Ireland Robert Garrett 7 (3)2
MFEngland Marc Grocott 4 (5)1
MFScotland Kevin Harper 51
MFNorthern Ireland Matthew Hazley 111
MFEngland Jeff Ho 30
GKEngland Russell Hoult 10
MFEngland Kenny Keys 3 (2)0
GKEngland Arran Lee-Barrett 10
FWEngland Dean McCormick 2 (2)0
FWEngland Nathan McDonald 1 (1)0
MFEngland Geoff McGaw 6 (1)0
MFEngland Ryan Mullan 2 (1)0
DFDemocratic Republic of the Congo Kangana Ndiwa 31
FWGhana Stephen Opoka 32
DFEngland Andy Owens 10
MFEngland Liam Page 10
FWNorthern Ireland Martin Paterson 95
DFEngland Kieron Parsons 40
MFEngland Jimmy Phillips 6 (3)0
FWEngland Jamie Pointon 2 (1)0
MFWales Anthony Pulis 81
DFEngland Sean Robinson 13 (3)1
FWRepublic of Ireland Adam Rooney 9 (1)2
GKEngland Jimmy Ryan 50
DFEngland Ryan Shotton 80
FWIceland Hannes Sigurðsson 10
FWEngland Jarred Stevens 10
GKEngland Danzelle St Louis-Hamilton 1 (1)0
MFScotland Peter Sweeney 40
FWEngland Keith Thomas 3 (1)1
MFEngland Tom Thorley 60
FWRomania Cristian Tudor 20
MFEngland Jack Watson 7 (4)0
MFEngland Nathaniel Wedderburn 3 (1)0
MFNorthern Ireland Jeff Whitley 70
DFEngland Andy Wilkinson 60
MFHungary Ádám Vass 5 (1)1

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Stoke City season review 2006-07 So near yet so far for improving Potters". The Sentinel. 18 May 2007.
  2. ↑ "Striker Pericard signs for Stoke". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  3. ↑ "Stoke joy at Higginbotham signing". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  4. ↑ "Pulis jubilant over Stoke victory". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  5. ↑ "Pulis ignores reaction from crowd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  6. ↑ "Stoke capture Southampton striker". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  7. ↑ "Pulis angered by fans' reaction". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  8. ↑ "Coates confirms support for Pulis". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  9. ↑ "Stoke complete Hendrie loan deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  10. ↑ "Diao completes Stoke loan switch". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  11. ↑ "Pulis delighted by away victory". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  12. ↑ "Pulis rocked by Delap leg break". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  13. ↑ "Sunderland's Lawrence joins Stoke". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  14. ↑ "Pulis praise for record breakers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  15. ↑ "Duberry shocked by heavy defeat". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  16. ↑ "Higginbotham is new Stoke skipper". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  17. ↑ "QPR 1-1 Stoke". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  18. ↑ "Pulis pledges to strengthen squad". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  19. ↑ "Pulis sorry for Darlington defeat". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  20. ↑ "Pulis blames mistakes for defeat". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
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