Stoke City fans have hailed their first team for the Sky Bet Championship opener against Leeds United as better than some of the teams they fielded in the Premier League last season.
Stoke are returning to the Championship for the first time in ten years following their relegation from the Premier League and they are hoping to make sure it is a temporary stay. But they have got plenty of pressure put on them going into this season. They have a tough opener as they face Leeds United in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
But their fans are excited for the off because of the team they have announced for today’s match. Many of their big name signings are set to play with Oghenekaro Peter Etebo, Tom Ince, James McClean and Benik Afobe all set to make their debuts. The first team also reflects the fact they’ve been able to keep many of their top players with Jack Butland, Bruno Martins Indi and Ryan Shawcross all being given starts. Even the bench is full of quality with Bojan and Peter Crouch being options for Gary Rowett’s first game as head coach.
📝 Here's your #SCFC line-up this afternoon against @LUFC. pic.twitter.com/7mmXmUYIiH
— Stoke City FC 🇺🇦 (@stokecity) August 5, 2018
And this team has definitely got Stoke fans excited for the game. They believe that this is a better team that some of the ones they put out in the Premier League last season and has left some wondering why they didn’t get this money to spend last season when they were fighting to stay in the top tier.
What a team
— Chris Eltham (@stokecitychris) August 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/LiamDSharp/status/1026114040949440513
Arguably a stronger starting 11 then fielded at any stage last season. Where was the investment when it was needed then?
— Ole Rees (@OleRees) August 5, 2018
Love it
— Kaleem Hussain (@kal3em7) August 5, 2018
Looking good. Come on Stoke
— Vis unita fortior (@vis_unita) August 5, 2018
Is the best Championship team ever named? ⚪️🔴
— David James Evans (@BajinaCanidang) August 5, 2018
