Stoke City have been performing poorly, but not all hope is lost. With good showings from a certain striker and new transfers adjusting to the new club, there is still time for a great season.
First four games
Stoke City held their own against a strong Liverpool team. Great defending forced The Reds to shoot from long range. Ultimately, Coutinho found the back of the net in the late stages of the game. For most of the match, Stoke looked in control, but a football game isn’t decided on possession or shots on target.
The second game of the season matched Tottenham against The Potters. The Hotspurs dominated the first half with goals to Dier and Chadli. A valiant second half led Stoke City to a deserved draw. The third week’s match was Stoke’s first game at the Britannia for the 15/16 season. The favourites didn’t present a good enough performance against newly promoted Norwich and the game ended in a tie.
The most recent clash between Stoke and West Brom was disappointing after two players were red carded. This left Stoke City on the back foot and West Brom striker Salomon Rondon went on to score a goal.
Transfer window performance
A superb performance in the transfer window is what is holding the supporters back from the #HughesOut posts on social media. The new players are still adjusting to the Premier League, but these poor performances could affect the end of season table position dearly. The manager brought in midfielders Xherdan Shaqiri, Ibrahim Afellay and Marco van Ginkel, Spanish striker Joselu, fullback Glen Johnson and former Aston Villa custodian Shay Given. While the signings have not played enough to properly showcase their talents, they should be able to improve their performances in the next couple of months.
Key Player
Mame Biram Diouf has been one of the best players of the Stoke City squad in the first month of the Premier League. In every game he looks like he is going to score and that is definitely true this season. Heading is a strength of his and Diouf’s two goals in four games have been headers. He is on target to break his goal tally of 11 from last season. Diouf can only do this is he gets the ball in a scoring position, which he has struggled with as of late. The midfielders in the team need to supply him with great passes and they weren’t able to do this in their latest match against West Brom.
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What has gone right?
Stoke City now look like a threat when the ball is on the ground, as opposed to Tony Pulis’s long ball tactics a few season ago. Manager Mark Hughes has struggled to implement his Barcelona-like game style due to the chairman not willing to invest in signings for the club, but because of the Premier League TV deal increase in funds and Peter Coates’s willingness to put money earned into the budget, a successful transfer window has emerged for Stoke City. Hughes has almost signed a new first team and they look set to contribute throughout the season.
Where to improve?
The Potters need to improve their defence. Silly mistakes at the back due to Ryan Shawcross’s absence have lost Stoke City some crucial points. The defenders are all Premier League quality and are used to the league, but in this last month they find a way to undo their great efforts and concede. Ryan Shawcross is needed back as soon as possible but the current back four should be able to manage without him. If this isn’t improved then a defensive signing may be considered.
Next four games
In the first game back from the international break, Stoke City take on Arsenal at the Emirates and in the next game overachieving Leicester at home. Newly promoted Bournemouth at Britannia Stadium and Aston Villa at Villa Park will be the last match of September and the first game of October.
Stoke will be hoping to win at least two of these games to stay in contention of a good table finish.
Grade – D
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