[3] Following last season's relegation from the Premier League, Stoke replaced Paul Lambert with Gary Rowett who was tasked with mounting a promotion challenge.

Inevitably there were a large number of departures and new arrivals during the summer, Stoke spending over £30 million on Benik Afobe, Sam Clucas, Peter Etebo, Tom Ince and James McClean.

Going out were, Lee Grant to Manchester United, Stephen Ireland and Glen Johnson both released, Xherdan Shaqiri to Liverpool, Ramadan Sobhi to Huddersfield Town and Kevin Wimmer on loan to Hannover 96.

Arriving at Stoke were goalkeeper Adam Federici, experienced centre back Ashley Williams, Nigerian midfielder Peter Etebo, wingers Tom Ince and James McClean and forward Benik Afobe.

Stoke responded immediately with Erik Pieters scoring a rare goal however Graham Burke fired North End back in front just before half time.

[24] Prior to the match against West Bromwich Albion Rowett trimmed his squad by loaning out Badou Ndiaye, Geoff Cameron, Giannelli Imbula and Julien Ngoy whilst Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.

[29] Stoke opened October by defeating Phil Parkinson's Bolton Wanderers 2–0 with goals from Ince and a rare header from Bruno Martins Indi.

[37] Stoke then came up against manager Gary Rowett's former team Derby County whose supporters were unhappy with the way he left them, which gave the match a spiky atmosphere.

[38] Harry Wilson equalized for the Rams just after half time via a free-kick but Stoke won 2–1 with former Derby player Tom Ince getting the winning goal.

City turned the game around in the second half with Afobe ending a ten-game run without a goal and a fine volley from Tom Ince, however Modou Barrow fired in a stoppage time equaliser.

[40] Stoke faced Paul Lambert's rock bottom Ipswich Town on 8 December and won 2–0 with goals from Ince and Allen, although the team came in criticism from supporters for a poor display against weak opposition.

[43] Stoke's ten match unbeaten run was ended by Birmingham City on boxing day with goals from Jacques Maghoma and Omar Bogle.

[44] Stoke ended a forgettable 2018 with a drab 0–0 draw at relegation threatened Bolton Wanderers which prompted an angry reaction by the traveling supporters who chanted against Rowett.

[45] Stoke began 2019 with a 2–0 home defeat against Bristol City with Famara Diedhiou scoring twice after Afobe had missed an early penalty which lead to more angry reactions towards Rowett from supporters.

The size of the re-building job quickly became apparent to Jones as the Bees rushed into a 2–0 lead before Afobe pulled one back for Stoke, however Rico Henry ensured three points for Brentford.

[49] The buildup to Nathan Jones' first home match took a bizarre twist as Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa admitted that he had been sending members of his staff to spy on Championship opponents training sessions.

To counter this Jones set Stoke up in a 3–5–2 formation with 19-year-old Tyrese Campbell given his first league start and Charlie Adam and Moritz Bauer returning to the team after being outcast by Rowett.

Stoke produced their best display of the season against the league leaders, winning 2–1 with goals from Clucas and Allen, whilst Ezgjan Alioski scored a consolation for Leeds who had Pontus Jansson sent-off.

[57] Stoke paid their respects to Gordon Banks before the match against Aston Villa with Jack Butland wearing a special classic green goalkeeping top.

[59] The following week Stoke ended a run of six games without a win against play-off chasing Nottingham Forest, with fine strikes from Afobe and Peter Etebo's first for the club.

The team produced a dogged defensive performance from then on and frustrated Rangers who had Grant Hall dismissed for two bookable offenses and the match ended goalless.

[62] The Potters began their next match at home to Reading brightly hitting the woodwork twice through Ince and then Vokes but that was as good as it got as Stoke played out yet another goalless draw.

[70] Stoke were drawn away against EFL League One side Shrewsbury Town in the third round and could only manage a 1–1 draw with Peter Crouch cancelling out Oliver Norburn's penalty, sending the tie to a replay.