In February, Stoke fans read the first of many newspaper reports suggesting the club were due to undergo significant surgery in the summer in order to lower the average age of the squad following a season of disappointment.
The story added: "[Stoke manager Mark] Hughes has the support of the Stoke hierarchy and remains on course for a top-10 finish, but there is a realisation at board level that the squad needs younger, more dynamic players."
It was music to the ears of supporters who had just watched their side concede four goals (a feat they repeated on seven occasions throughout the season) against Tottenham in a campaign when their aging stars were all too often brushed aside by the youthful exuberance of so many of their peers.