Stoke City's Fight for Premier League Survival

So, we are now well into March and few people outside Stoke on Trent would have predicted that Stoke City would be 15th in the English Premier League.

At the beginning of the season, the many so-called "pundits" had written us off before a ball had been kicked and even gave the bold statement of us finishing with fewer points than Derby County's all-time record=low in the season before.

It's been a fascinating journey to date—highs and lows aplenty with a few shocks along the way. Nineteen-time league winners Liverpool failing to score a goal in 180 minutes, four points taken off Champions League chasing Aston Villa, three minutes away from beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and a tremendous and well deserved 2-1 victory at home to Arsenal have been the real highlights.

There have been a few disasters that most would have expected, none more so than the 5-0 drubbing away to Champions-elect Manchester United.

How will the journey end?

Hopefully not needing any points from a final day trip to The Emirates where Arsenal will no doubt be gunning for that fourth and final Champions League place.

A very "pleasing" countdown of fixtures have been extremely kind to Stoke and no doubt leaves our destiny firmly in ours and Thomas Sorensens' giant hands.

Home games against relegation threatened Blackburn, Middlesborough, and Newcastle United as well as favourable away games at Hull City and West Brom (who incidentally have beaten Stoke in the league once in 23 games) leave Stoke fans dreaming of a possibility of a second successive spell in the top flight.

Much faith rests on the shoulders of James Beattie.

Five goals in seven appearances since joining the Potters in a £2.5 million deal back in January, Beattie has rediscovered the form which left him knocking on the door for an England cap a few years back.

A formidable partnership will surely develop with Jamaican international Ricardo Fuller who notched his seventh goal of the season in the 2-0 victory against Bolton.

Another key man for the Potters is left winger Matthew Etherington, another January signing from West Ham. Some impressive performances before a red card at Sunderland left Stoke fans believing we have true talent on the left side of midfield.

Would that leave a place in the starting line up for the throws or aerial assaults of Rory Delap who has contributed to eight of Stoke's goals this season? A threat to any defence in the world, Delap can throw as far as most players can kick.

Another player coming into form is Republic of Ireland international Glenn Whelan who struck a stunning injury-time equaliser at Aston Villa. The centre midfielder loves getting forward and a run in the team now will surely have Glenn contributing with a few more strikes.

Add to that the blossoming partnership of Faye and Shawcross in central defence, and Stoke must surely now fancy their chances of upsetting and defying the odds and starting 2009-2010 season in the English Premier League.