Stoke City have had a topsy-turvy season thus far. Mark Hughes was expected to have reached an advanced stage of his Stoke City transformation of sorts and this was apparently a season which was supposed to be Stoke’s bonafide entry as a top half club challenging for the Europa League places. But things took a turn for the worse at the start of the season and they quickly found themselves in the relegation zone. But a run of positive results in the middle of the season saw them recover and they have since established a hold in and around the Top 10.
But they have not exuded any sort of assuredness expected of a team with their resources. They have failed to gel properly and need to sort out a team combination which will help them maintain their league position and make sure they finish in the Top half.
But for them to beat off competition from the rest and establish a stronghold, a number of players need to step up in the last quarter of the season.
SAIDO BERAHINO
The former West Bromwich Albion man made the delayed move to the Bet 365 Stadium after a prolonged standoff with the Baggies. He comes with potential but lacks match sharpness and it has been quite a while since his breakthrough season. But he will be hungry and will look to prove his doubters wrong. The lone striker’s role is up for grabs and he has to make it his own with a string of competent displays.
BRUNO MARTINS INDI
The Dutchman came in with high expectations and alongside Ryan Shawcross, it was expected that he would turn Stoke City’s rearguard into an impenetrable one.
But things haven’t transpired that way and they have been fragile at the back and have leaked goals. The times they have not, they have Lee Grant to thank as the keeper has been the sole reason on lots of occasions to have denied the opposition.
MARKO ARNAUTOVIC
The Austrian has failed to deliver the goods till now. He is one of their best players, if not the best and he has a fair share of responsibility to deliver on them. But along with Shaqiri, he has flattered to deceive till now. With just 3 goals and 3 assists till now, he has been underwhelming, to say the least. He needs to have a strong finish and needs to strike up a partnership with Berahino and Shaqiri if Stoke are to impress.
