Our Stoke City supporters’ panel discusses the arrival of Ben Gibson as a free agent and whether there is still more transfer work to be done at center-back. It is no secret that Stoke City will be looking for a striker or two during the summer transfer window, but who or what type of striker should be at the top of Jon Walters’ and Steven Schumacher’s shopping lists remains to be seen.
Stoke supporters JON OWEN (Seabridge), LIAM HALL (Dresden), and RICHARD JAMES (Blythe Bridge) provide their perspectives from the terraces. Agree or disagree? Share your thoughts in the comments area. Do you want to join the fan panel? Get in touch through
‘Potential captain material’
Jon Owen: He has always impressed me. Decent on the ball and perhaps captain material, which is something our centre backs have lacked on the pitch in recent years.
He appears to talk a good game, and maybe he can match it on the field. I still believe we need another centre-back and would not be surprised if we sign another before the season begins.
‘I’m not persuaded our business at the center half is done.’
Liam Hall: I understand the signing. On the surface, we appear to be getting a seasoned player with the correct work ethic and dressing room impact, which we have occasionally lacked. He has played numerous games at this level.
in the premier league. Would I have wanted somebody younger? Yes, of course. However, his knowledge might be crucial, and we scooped him up for free, while I’m not persuaded that our business in the middle half is totally finished yet. With Wilmot and Rose as the other alternatives, there may yet be place for one more; a young signing with promise that we can invest in would be great. 
Unless Matthew Baker or David Okagbue can force their way in during the preseason.
“We’d take both of those, wouldn’t we?”
Richard James: I expected a couple of seasoned defenders, including Ben Gibson. He has a strong lineage, is a leader and organizer, and is an old-school defender who appears to enjoy his craft. Some have questioned his injury history and age, yet he finally played over 30 games for a club that made the playoffs. We would take both of those for the upcoming season, wouldn’t we?
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