Stoke City defeated relegation candidates, Crystal Palace, by a goal without any reply and they are on their way to get past their highest ever points tally of 54 points which were accredited to them in the 2014-15 season of the Premier League. Currently placed 9th in the league table, the Potters leapfrogged West Ham United as the Hammers drew 2-2 against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. With 32 points from 25 games, the season is far from over; but one can understand that their gaffer in the shape of Mark Hughes is the one to be credited for a large chunk of their consistency and positive results.
Stoke City weren’t in the good books of the football fraternity owing to a stereotypical perspective that they played a rugby-like football, focusing more on the physical side of the game instead of the tactical and appealing one. Tony Pulis’ regime did no favours to evaporate the ‘hoof-ball’ tag of plying their trade. However, after Hughes was entrusted the job to manage Stoke City, a welcome change has been seen: a move from their obnoxiously underwhelming pattern, equipping the side with better players and certainly, with a notable transition for good.
Hughes neither had the luxury of a warm welcome from the fans nor had a huge war chest to put his philosophy into practice. Yet he was unfazed by the unfavourable scenario during his reception. Nevertheless, he has managed to pull off a respectable ninth place finish in each of the last three seasons, along with an altered philosophy of course.
Despite not kicking off this season in a befitting manner which had put him on the brink of losing his job at the Staffordshire outfit, the former Queens Park Rangers’ manager pulled off some spectacular results, brought the element of productivity and sewed the scars with a degree of professionalism and good results.
Stoke City brought proven faces to their ranks, changing their philosophy and the manager made his intentions pretty clear from the onset. The club has ceded its mentality of giving paramount importance to winning physical battles and have always had the knack to keep possession, try to conjure up instances of quality, work on set-pieces ever since his regime commenced at the Bet 365 Stadium.
A transition from an archaic identity has transformed the side as they have started to focus their attention towards the overall game and not just to defend their goal. A step better than their customary ninth place finish can be on the cards, should they keep the momentum going. With the Premier League throwing up surprises every week, the 53-year-old is apparently the right man to take the Potters up the ladder, as he has now got a feel of the club and its essence.
