If Stoke Citys 2007/08 season, with Tony Puliss unfancied side Blank Jersey winning promotion to the Premier League, was a surprise to much of the English football establishment, their 2008/09 campaign was a veritable shock, as despite being the bookies favourites for relegation they stayed up comfortably amongst the big boys. Still, a year ago, many fans and pundits were tipping the Potters for the drop, sure the dreaded second season syndrome would strike. It didnt and Stoke survived in even better health than they had twelve months before, easing to a mid-table finish. Its safe to say that, as much as some opponents of their rugged style would like to see it, relegation after the 2010/11 season looks unlikely for the Staffordshire outfit, who are fast becoming a solidly established top flight club. Stoke fans, who have greatly enjoyed the last three years, will be eager to see their club further push on from now until May and perhaps achieve their first top ten finish since 1975.From promotion in 2008 to survival in 2009 and 2010, the Stoke supporters have developed a taste for succe sWith the quality of players now at Puliss disposal, an a sault on the top half of the Premier League table does not seem beyond the realms of imagination. Home fans at the Britannia Stadium are used to seeing a very firm defence, with England hopeful Ryan Shawcro s, Robert Huth and Abdoulaye Faye forming three quarters of a backline that often proves a match for the worlds best forwards, while with last seasons player of the year Matthew Etherington on the wing and the likes of Ricardo Fuller and Tuncay up front, the Stoke side also po se ses a degree of attacking menace. Tuncay in particular will be interesting to watch in the coming Jose Ramirez Jersey months, as many people view the entertaining but enigmatic Turk as the key to the Potters producing a more aesthetically pleasing brand of football, something which if achieved after the reliance of the last two seasons on the route one game and Rory Delaps magnificent long throws, would truly announce Stoke as a top cla s club.Under the stewardship of venerable chairman Peter Coates, the Potters also have the financial muscle needed to move towards the top ten in 2010/11. Despite Stoke being one of the very few Premier League clubs currently not in debt, Pulis and Coates have taken a rather slow, considered approach to this summers transfer market. However, the one major splash they have made, the 8 million capture of Sunderlands highly rated striker Kenwyne Jones, speaks volumes for the ambition behind the scenes, not least as it is the fourth instance of the clubs transfer record being broken in the last two and a half years. With money there to be spent and three weeks of the transfer window left, its likely that Puliss squad will look stronger still when August becomes September. Its not just Joness hair that has grown since he was last at Stoke, his reputation has tooHowever, while players ability has an undoubted impact on their sides fortunes, their attitude and temperament can be equally important. In Stokes Bob Feller Jersey first season back in the top flight, the spirit shown by the squad allowed them to add up to much more than the sum of their parts, spirit that was especially evident during stunning results such as the home victory over Arsenal and the away draw at Liverpool. Last term, however, this spirit seemed to fray and there were a number of unsavoury incidents with Pulis falling out with players including forwards James Beattie and Dave Kitson. Both of these players have been linked with moves away from the Britannia Stadium though, with Beattie on the verge of joining Rangers and Bristol City said to be interested in Kitson. With these two moved along, harmony in the ranks should be restored, allowing the players to concentrate solely on football, which should benefit them on the pitch.If a side is to mount a sustained challenge on the upper reaches of the league, its important that both their home and away form is consistently good. For Stoke, the 2009 survival was almost all down Francisco Lindor Jersey to home results. The Potters won a very impre sive ten of their nineteen league games at the famously atmospheric Britannia Stadium, but failed to win away until April. Last year the home record was rather le s eye-catching, but performances on the road were greatly improved, with excellent victories gained at the likes of Tottenham and Fulham. If Puliss men can reproduce their home succe ses of two years ago and continue with last seasons away form, it will surely be a recipe for high attainment.Tony Pulis will look to drive his players on to further succe sPerhaps everything will come together for Stoke in 2010/11. Perhaps the Jones will find the goals to propel his new team up the table, perhaps the players will find better spirit and togetherne s than ever before, perhaps the home and away form will come together at the same time, all driving the Potters into the top ten. There will be 25,000 home fans at Satchel Paige Jersey the Britannia Stadium for every home game hoping that that will be the case. Whatever happens, however, for the 11,000 or so of them that were the hardcore ten years ago, watching Stoke struggle against the likes of Cambridge United and Wrexham, just to see their side playing and competing in the Premier League in 2010/11 will be a joy and a privilege.