Are Stoke City really too good to go down?

The determined Mark Hughes and his equally persistent Potters have seemingly failed to get off to the greatest of starts to the 2016/17 domestic campaign – with just one solitary point taken from five decisive Premier League fixtures thus far.

 

The former Blackburn Rovers, Fulham and QPR boss may be able to call upon the usually impressive likes of Marko Arnautovic, Bojan and Wilfried Bony right in the here and now – but as Stoke City currently see themselves quietly languishing at the bottom of the table with little to show for their efforts – some major investigatory work arguably needs to be take place down at the bet365 Stadium at the first available opportunity.

 

After the Potters’ surprisingly poor start to the new season, it’s easy to see why some fans are already beginning to lose a bit of faith…

 

What a joke… Stoke have been terrible all season. If they don't sort it out we'll get relegated.Given whelan,Walters need to be replaced

— Mellor (@gmellor94) 18 September 2016

 

…and given Stoke City’s still seemingly prevalent reputation throughout the rest of the English top-flight…

 

Stoke getting relegated since they're not allowed grab players in the box anymore.

— Thomas (@ManLikeMata) 10 September 2016

 

…it seems many non-Potters supporting fans would nonetheless love to see Mark Hughes' struggling outfit relegated this term!

 

About time Stoke got relegated. Let's be honest.

— harrison_jord (@harrison_jord) 10 September 2016

 

Many of Stoke City’s most damaging issues have nonetheless derived from the back this season…

 

It's mad to think a stoke side who are so good at defending have let in 8 goals in 2 games and scored 1 goal

— Nathan (@nathancurtis756) 18 September 2016

 

…perhaps they are in-fact missing a certain something among their back-line in 2016/17…

 

Stoke defending poorly so far. Tempting to suspect Butland's absence doesn't help; mature, good at commanding his area #SCFC #CPFC

— Declan Warrington (@decwarrington) 18 September 2016

 

…but in the end, Wilfried Bony’s recent contribution up top hasn’t been all the great either…

 

Bony is the worst striker to play in the premier league ever, he's a poor mans Afonso Alves

— brido (@brian_mcquade) 18 September 2016

 

So then, whilst Stoke City remain far from a club in crisis at this particular stage in the proceedings…

 

Struggling Stoke have some relief. Next 5 home games: West Brom, Sunderland, Swansea, Bournemouth and Burnley. They'll bounce back. #scfc

— Tough Tackler (@thetoughtackler) 20 September 2016

…No, Mark Hughes’ current outfit certainly aren’t too good to get relegated by any relevant stretch of the imagination!  

West Ham, Stoke City & Sunderland all showing terrible form at the moment. Relegation fight between those 3?

— GameRiot (@GameRiotArmy) 18 September 2016