Stoke City: Can Potters stop the bleeding after tough start?

Stoke City is a team most people thought were sure to finish in mid-table – possibly even fight for a Europa League spot. Seven matches into the 2016-17 Barclays Premier League season, and those beliefs have been put on hold.

Stoke City currently sit in 19th position and have earned two points from their opening seven matches. Their record is 0-3-4 and they have allowed the second most goals in the league so far with 16.

Managed by Mark Hughes since 2013, Stoke have finished in ninth place for three consecutive seasons. They earned an important 1-1 draw on Sunday at Old Trafford against Manchester United.

A result which will hopefully give them a confidence boost ahead of their next game following the international break. It looks like, until Jack Butland returns from injury, Lee Grant will continue as the starting goalkeeper.

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Grant is on loan to Stoke from Championship side Derby County. 40 year-old Shay Given started the season as the number one, but looks to have now relinquished that role after a poor start. Grant made eight saves against United which ultimately kept Stoke City in the match.

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Conceding goals is a huge issue for Stoke right now, and it’s kind of shocking with the veteran experience in their back line. Erik Pieters, Ryan Shawcross, Geoff Cameron, Glen Johnson and Phil Bardsley are all seasoned players that should take leadership of the group.

Bruno Martins Indi, also, was an important signing from Porto who brings youth to the defense. Glenn Whelan and Giannelli Imbula bring aggression to the midfield and are prone to helping out the team defensively.

With the team’s struggles so far, these players will need to do more for the team to cut back on the number of goals allowed. Joe Allen was a summer signing for Stoke that has been paying off so far.

He’s scored two of the team’s five goals this season, and works hard creating chances for his teammates. However, Allen limped off during Wales’ 2-2 draw with Austria in Thursday’s World Cup Qualifier. Unfortunately, Wales boss Chris Coleman confirmed after the game it is a hamstring issue.

Two important attacking options that need to improve following the international break are Xherdan Shaqiri and Marko Arnautovic. Both players have tallied a goal apiece to start the campaign, and both bring flare and skill offensively.

Shaqiri (24) and Arnautovic (27) love having the ball at their feet. Both can provide great service to the forwards such as Wilfried Bony, Mame Biram Diouf, Peter Crouch and Jonathan Walters. Although, the pair can get overly aggressive if the team is struggling or not getting the ball to them enough, and they will need to learn to keep their heads.

Stoke has a bunch of skillful players, it’s just bringing that talent together and fast. With five of their next Premier League matches coming against teams currently in the bottom half of the table, this is Stoke’s time to earn some crucial points and victories.

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The team needs to work as one, and take matches one step at a time. If they work on the simple things, the results will come. With an experienced manager like Mark Hughes at the helm, I don’t believe he will accept much more poor play by his club.

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