Outside90’s Tom Batten takes a look at Stoke City’s 6-0 friendly demolition of Wrexham and Jack Butland’s promotion to the ‘top dog’ of the Potters.
No one expected Wrexham to score against Mark Hughes’ men, but they did. However, Marko Arnautovic levelled the game with ten minutes remaining and Stephen Ireland quickly put on two more goals for the Potters.
While this game was in last season’s FA Cup, the Wrexham faithful still remember it freshly in their minds. Their team had a chance to get into the fourth round of arguably the most prestigious club tournament in world football (excluding the Champions League). Nevertheless, Stoke City’s class was soon discovered as they won by two goals.
Just a few days ago, Wrexham again had the chance to exact revenge for what they did on that fateful day six months ago. However, the complete opposite happened, as expected by most people. Stoke City got the job done in the friendly match where there was nothing at stake, except preparing for the upcoming season.
The Welsh side were carved open as Jon Walters scored two goals against his former club, having last played for Wrexham in 2006, but the first of the game was scored by Mame Biram Diouf. Marco van Ginkel also found the net with the scoreboard of the Racecourse Ground at half-time reading 3-0.
Walters doubled his tally for the game in the 62nd minute with a nice goal and new signing Joselu scored only two minutes later. The striker scored eight goals in 30 games for Hannover 96 and will be pleased to get off the mark for his new team.
It was a good day for young players as Daniel Bachmann (one of Stoke City’s academy names) saved a penalty. The goalkeeper was on loan at Wrexham last season which may have helped, but the player who lined up for the penalty had just arrived this season, unable to know which way Bachmann would normally dive. Former Blackpool man Dom Telford wrapped things up the 87th minute. The striker has played well for the under-21s and deserved a first team start. He definitely delivered.
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After the first friendly on a British pitch, Stoke City look in good stead for the season coming, with Jack Butland named as the main goalkeeper for the forthcoming campaign.
In a recent press conference Mark Hughes announced that Butland will be playing as the preferred custodian for the majority of the season. The “outstanding young keeper” is hoping to showcase his skills to be a part of England’s Euro 2016 squad. Butland will have to watch out for new signing Shay Given, as the veteran Irishman will provide solid competition for the gloves.
Given conceded 16 goals in 11 matches last season for Aston Villa, who were obviously not impressed. With only six games for the Potters under his belt, can he be trusted to play most of the season? In the three Premier League games he featured in so far, he only conceded two goals. He kept a clean sheet against Tottenham and Burnley, while conceding against Swansea.
But the manager Mark Hughes has complete confidence in Butland taking Stoke City from ‘just another mid-table finish’. The question is, can he deliver a big save against Sergio Aguero or Eden Hazard?
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