Mid-season report: Stoke City

It would be fair to say that Stoke City boss Mark Hughes is slowly but surely altering the playing style at the Britannia Stadium.

The Potters finished ninth last season, but the club have been tipped as outside challengers for a Europa League finish this term.

Here, Sports Mole has taken a closer look at the club's first half of the 2014-15 campaign.

August

In the summer window, the likes of Bojan, Steve Sidwell, Mame Biram Diouf and Victor Moses (loan) arrived at the Britannia and there was a good feeling around the stadium ahead of their league opener against Aston Villa.

Expectation quickly turned to disappointment, however, as the Potters were beaten 1-0 at home – a result that did not go down well with the supporters.

© Getty Images

Stoke did pick up their first point of the season one week later, however, after securing a 1-1 draw at Hull City. Hughes's side also progressed in the League Cup by recording a 3-0 win over League Two side Portsmouth at the Britannia.

The month concluded with Stoke's standout result of the season as Diouf, formerly of Manchester United, netted at the Etihad to secure a 1-0 win over the champions Manchester City.

September

Stoke could not build on the win over Man City, however, and were surprisingly beaten 1-0 at home by Leicester City in their first match after the international break.

The Potters then secured a point in a 2-2 draw at Queens Park Rangers, before continuing their progress in the League Cup with a 2-1 win at Sunderland.

© Getty Images

The month ended in a positive fashion as a 1-0 win over Newcastle United surprisingly gave the club their first home league win of the season.

There were certainly some teething problems in the opening couple of months, but the result at Man City showed their ability to match the bigger teams.

October

Stoke's inconsistency continued, however, as they lost away to Sunderland at the start of the month, before beating Swansea City at the Britannia courtesy of a late goal from Jonathan Walters.

Next up was a double-header against Southampton, first in the Premier League. At this point, the Saints were on a roll and secured all three points with a 1-0 win at St Mary's.

The League Cup clash between the two teams took place at the Britannia, but again it was Southampton that came out on top to dump 10-man Stoke out of the competition.

Three defeats from four games in all competitions made it a disappointing month for a club that had top-half ambitions this season.

November

Stoke managed to stop the rot at the start of November – securing a 2-2 draw against West Ham United. However, the result would have frustrated Hughes, with his side throwing away a two-goal lead at home.

Bojan was the star of the show one week later as the Spaniard inspired the Potters to a 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur. However, Stoke's problems continued in their next match as they lost at home to Burnley.

© Getty Images

Hughes had success against the so-called bigger teams in the early part of the season and would have fancied his side's chances against an out-of-sorts Liverpool on November 29, but an 85th-minute goal from Glen Johnson secured all the points for the Reds.

December

It did not get any easier for Stoke as they travelled to Manchester United in their opening match of December. The Potters had two glorious chances to level late on, but ultimately suffered a 2-1 defeat – their third loss in a row.

Four days later, however, Stoke returned to winning ways with a 3-2 victory over Arsenal, who launched a strong second-half comeback at the Britannia.

© Getty Images

Stoke then took a point from Crystal Palace, but could not stop Chelsea consolidating first position on December 22, with the Blues running out 2-0 winners.

However, the year was to end with back-to-back wins. On Boxing Day, the Potters were 1-0 victors at Everton, before Diouf scored twice in a 2-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion on December 28.

Position at start of 2015: 11th

Star player so far: Steven N'Zonzi

Must do better: Charlie Adam

Where they need to strengthen in January: Midfield

Mid-season grade: C

To see Stoke's remaining fixtures in 2014-15, click here.