Premier League Preview – How Will Stoke Fare Under Mark Hughes?

Despite a change of manager at the Britannia Stadium this summer, Stoke fans shouldn’t expect things to change on the field just yet. Mark Hughes has so far only brought in Erik Pieters, Marc Muniesa and Juan Agudelo, and while they may bring some excitement to Stoke’s play, it is not the overhaul that fans were hoping for after Tony Pulis’ sacking. Hughes has got rid of some of the old guard, with Dean Whitehead and Rory Delap leaving as well as Matthew Upson and Mamady Sidibe being sent on their way.

Stoke seriously lacked goals last season, with only 34 being scored. The Potters need a striker or two as well as some creative midfielders otherwise they will struggle to compete with other mid table teams. Whilst some of Tony Pulis’ old ways will remain, including lots of ‘hoof-ball’, Mark Hughes will most likely use wingers instead of strikers and central midfielders to create goals, rather than relying on Peter Crouch and Glenn Whelan.

In defence, Stoke are relatively sound and Mark Hughes will bring the same grit and determination that Stoke had under Pulis, but he will have to avoid the same errors from last season of not closing out games and conceding silly goals against lowly opposition.

The Britannia Stadium is still a difficult place to pick up points for opposing sides and Mark Hughes will have to use that to his advantage if his side are going to avoid relegation.

Prediction: 18^th.

Thomas Baxter