Analysis: The Stoke City Barcelona Pipeline
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First is Stoke City’s new style of play. Mark Hughes has been working to transform the team’s style of play from the very direct hewn-from-granite ways of Tony Pulis to a more polished and modern way of playing football.
This hasn’t gone unnoticed with pundits and players praising Hughes’ transformative managerial work which has led Stoke to two consecutive 9th places finished in the Premier League, their highest finishes since being promoted.
Without a doubt this has changed the external reputation of Stoke, from a club rooted in football conservatism to a club attempting to revitalize its reputation on the pitch while maintaining facets of its trademark brand of football.
Next: 2. Stoke's Manager