The 2016–17 season was Stoke City's ninth season in the Premier League and the 61st in the top tier of English football. Following last season's third-straight ninth-place finish, Mark Hughes brought in Joe Allen, Wilfried Bony, Lee Grant, Bruno Martins Indi and Ramadan Sobhi. However, Stoke's poor form at the end of last season continued at the start of 2016–17 as in the first six matches they managed to pick up just two points, conceding 15 goals, which meant they ended September in the relegation zone. Following a 1–1 draw at Manchester United at the start of October, Stoke's form picked up and with wins against Sunderland, Hull City, Swansea City, Watford and Burnley the team climbed back into a mid-table position come December.