Stoke City are in absolute doldrums at the moment and are languishing at the bottom of the pile in the Premier League having collected a solitary point from their first 5 fixtures. Mark Hughes has been working on bringing a radical change in Stoke’s approach to the way they play their football and although he has not enjoyed undisputed success as of yet, last year’s 9th place finish hinted at the bright future ahead. And after the moderately successful transfer window where they addressed their need for a striker and a defender, success was a given for the Potters. But things have been anything but smooth for them after the team has failed to click at any level. The attack looks bereft of ideas, the defence is wafer-thin and the midfield has failed to impose themselves in any manner whatsoever. The quality in the squad is there for all to see, but they are not being able to translate it onto the pitch.
Mark Hughes will be a worried man. For his team and also for himself. And the turnaround has to start soon as the owners will loathe being a part of a relegation struggle after acceding to every demand of the manager.
They will be facing a Hull City side who are themselves in the 12th spot and will realistically have to fight for survival this season. Stoke City will like to get a win under the bag and if they are able to do so it will be their 2nd win of the season, with the previous win coming in the same competition against Stevenage.
HERE IS T4O’s PREDICTED STOKE CITY LINE UP VS HULL CITY (4-2-3-1)
DEFENCE
Shay Given is likely to start in goal given the lack of options at the manager’s disposal. Bardsley might line-up at right back with Johnson returning from injury only in the last match. Shawcross and Cameron can form the central defensive pairing with Eric Pieters at left-back.
MIDFIELD
Whelan and Charlie Adam can be used in the double pivot with an undeserved rest for Imbula and Allen. Mame Biram Diouf is a candidate for the No.10 role with Bojan given a breather after the disappointing month.
ATTACK
Ramadan Sobhi will be hoping for a start on the right flank and with the current malaise in the first team should be looking to give a good account of himself. Mr. Versatile for Stoke, Walters, can be accommodated on the left-flank. Peter Crouch will be hoping for a game having scored a hat-trick in the 1st EFL match.
