We’ve diagnosed the problems, identified the targets and given our recommendations... now it’s your turn.
There’s nothing every football fans loves more than to speculate on where their team needs to strengthen, how much to spend and who to buy. Our team-by-team analysis of what needs to be done is the perfect chance for just that.
To view our suggestions for your team, click here.
We have pinpointed the weak spots and given our suggestion for who should be the number one priority as well as a handful of alternatives.
Will Tony Pulis heed our advice? Have we missed a trick? Is our budget unrealistic? Who would YOU sign? Don’t be shy in letting us know by dropping us a comment at the foot of the page. Let the debate commence...
Left Back: Michael Ball (Man City) When Tony Pulis takes stock at the end of the season, he'll see a squad of warriors. But what he should see, if he wants Stoke to continue progressing, is that his starting XI still has 'Championship' written all over it. Danny Higginbotham falls into that bracket, Michael Ball has bags of experience at Everton, Rangers and Manchester City, and he is currently a forgotten man at Eastlands.
Alternatives: Armand Traore (Arsenal), Paul Konchesky (Fulham), Andy Dawson (Hull)
Centre Back: Michael Dawson (Tottenham) If Abdoulaye Faye leaves this summer, and several tabloids insist he will, Stoke will be left with a cataclysmic hole at the heart of their team. Dawson at Tottenham is a battler of the highest proportions, and he may find himself fourth choice at Spurs this summer if Harry Redknapp decides he needs a more reliable pairing than King and Woodgate.
Alternative: Roger Johnson (Cardiff), Mark Beevers (Sheffield Wednesday), Rabiu Afolabi (Sochaux)
Central midfield: Steve Sidwell (Aston Villa) It should not be forgotten how industrious a midfielder Stevey Sidwell can be. Stoke have some underrated midfielders in the likes of Glenn Whelan, but Salif Diao, Seyi Olofinjana and Amdy Faye are hardly pillars of consistency. Sidwell barely gets a look-in at Villa, yes Barry might leave but O'Neill will surely not gamble on Sidwell as a replacement - hence the door to a transfer could be open.
Alternatives: Joe Ledley (Cardiff), Sean Davis (Portsmouth)
Right Wing: Carlos Edwards (Sunderland) Stoke need pace. Take Etherington out of the team and you could probably defend the wide areas on crutches. Carlos Edwards has done nothing for Sunderland, but that has mainly been due to injury. With James Beattie providing an aerial threat in the middle, Edwards could revive his career at The Brittania.
Alternatives: Jermaine Pennant (Liverpool), Jermaine Johnson (Sheffield Wednesday)
Striker: Benjani (Man City) It's fair to say, Vincent Pericard is not Premier League material. Staggering we know. But the best way to get something out of James Beattie is to have an all hustle and bustle striker occupying defenders next to him. Benjani defines hustle and bustle, and there is no chance he will be counted on at Man City next season.
Alternatives: Victor Anichebe (Everton), Kevin Doyle (Reading)