With the start of the 2016/17 Premier League edging closer, Adrian Clarke looks at where each of 20 clubs might seek to improve for the new season. Here he pinpoints the areas Mark Hughes should look to address at Stoke City.
Hughes has done a sterling job at the bet365 Stadium, but for Stoke City to make progress next season there are refinements that could be made at both ends of the pitch.
The Potters would benefit from a new centre-forward to spearhead their attack while a lack of pace in defence hindered their progress last term, despite achieving a third consecutive ninth-place finish.
At no stage last term did Stoke find great solidity in the centre-back department.
A number of players partnered Ryan Shawcross, who struggled with injury throughout the campaign, but no formula stood out as the outstanding one.
On quick turnovers when space was left in behind, Stoke were vulnerable down the middle. Away from home this was particularly evident, as they conceded 18 goals on trips to the eight clubs who finished above them.
Finding a quality central defender with greater mobility should, I feel, be a matter of urgency for Hughes this summer.
Up front Joselu, Bojan Krkic, Jonathan Walters, Mame Biram Diouf and Peter Crouch were all used at various points but none excelled enough to nail down the striker's spot.
Stoke's plethora of creative attacking midfielders ensured that the side scored goals, but without a dangerous target to aim for inside the box, Hughes' men were reluctant to deliver crosses with regularity.
They finished 2015/16 as the second-lowest crossers in the Premier League and this ultimately held them back. A strong front-man with excellent movement would therefore suit Stoke's attacking philosophy.
Stoke ended last season in poor shape, losing four of their last six Premier League encounters, three of them heavily.
To shift momentum, Hughes could do with a bright beginning to the 2016/17 campaign. They haven't exactly been dealt an easy hand, however.
Home and away the Potters have awkward-looking fixtures to get their campaign off and running. Stoke will need to play well to keep themselves out of the bottom half of the table before the autumn arrives.
Stoke City's opening fixtures
| MW1 | Middlesbrough (a) |
| MW2 | Man City (h) |
| MW3 | Everton (a) |
| MW4 | Tottenham Hotspur (h) |
| MW5 | Crystal Palace (a) |
| MW6 | West Brom (h) |
| MW7 | Man Utd (a) |