Mark Hughes' Stoke masterplan coming together as Potters hit top ten after Villa win
“I think what we’ve done so far has to be viewed as progress. We’re in decent shape at the moment," says Potters boss
Scott Heavey
Christmas is a time for giving - and Mark Hughes should be given credit for the job he is doing at Stoke.
Hughes knew he had to prove himself in the Premier League all over again because of his failure at QPR.
He was axed 13 months ago with Rangers bottom of the league without a win in their first 12 games.
He was miffed that as his critics queued up to kick him, they conveniently forgot his Premier League record at Blackburn, Manchester City and Fulham.
After a difficult autumn when Stoke fell down the table faster than the leaves off the trees, he can point to real progress as he attempts to lead the Potters to a first top-10 finish in the Premier League.
This win, coupled with their historic victory over Chelsea, made it back-to-back wins in the league at the Britannia to lift them to 10th.
The proud Hughes resisted the temptation to thumb his nose at his critics and knows he must focus on maintaining their run of just one loss in their last eight league games.
“I was a little bit put out when I came here because I felt I was getting judged on 12 games rather than the 250-odd Premier League games I’ve been in charge of clubs for,” said the Potters boss.
“I felt it was a little bit unfair, but I could understand why people were questioning me.
“I’ve done it for a number of years now and I’ve got a number of wins behind me so I do know how to win in the Premier League.
“It’s difficult, but the situation is that sometimes you can’t be successful because of lots of things that have an impact on you as a manager and the club you’re at.
“I think what we’ve done so far has to be viewed as progress. We’re in decent shape at the moment.”
To make Hughes’ task even harder he has changed Stoke’s direct style, which was so ingrained under Tony Pulis, while he has less money than his predecessor.
“It’s not easy,” he confessed. “But it’s been easier because of the players who are here, and the players we’ve been able to bring in.”
After trying to get Stoke to pass the ball, Hughes went more direct against Aston Villa and their first goal on 50 minutes came when Peter Crouch flicked on Geoff Cameron’s free-kick for Charlie Adam to score within five minutes of coming on.
The normally-reliable Erik Pieters committed an uncharacteristic blunder when his back header went straight to Libor Kozak to equalise on 66 minutes.
Four minutes later, Crouch, who Hughes says won’t be sold in January, showed his wife and new Strictly champion Abbey Clancy isn’t the only one with moves as he converted Cameron’s cross for the winner.
The defeat was the third on the spin for Villa, who were without the injured Christian Benteke, and goalkeeper Brad Guzan admits they must beat Crystal Palace on Boxing Day.
“It’s not a great way to go into Christmas, but the good thing about this period is that the matches are a quick turnaround,” he said.
“It makes Palace a massive game and we have to make sure we come out of it with three points.
“It’s all about the next game and Palace is a big test for us. We have to make sure we’re up for it and come out for it ready.”
Hughes knew he had to prove himself in the Premier League all over again because of his failure at QPR.
He was axed 13 months ago with Rangers bottom of the league without a win in their first 12 games.
He was miffed that as his critics queued up to kick him, they conveniently forgot his Premier League record at Blackburn, Manchester City and Fulham.
After a difficult autumn when Stoke fell down the table faster than the leaves off the trees, he can point to real progress as he attempts to lead the Potters to a first top-10 finish in the Premier League.
This win, coupled with their historic victory over Chelsea, made it back-to-back wins in the league at the Britannia to lift them to 10th.
The proud Hughes resisted the temptation to thumb his nose at his critics and knows he must focus on maintaining their run of just one loss in their last eight league games.
“I was a little bit put out when I came here because I felt I was getting judged on 12 games rather than the 250-odd Premier League games I’ve been in charge of clubs for,” said the Potters boss.
“I felt it was a little bit unfair, but I could understand why people were questioning me.
“I’ve done it for a number of years now and I’ve got a number of wins behind me so I do know how to win in the Premier League.
“It’s difficult, but the situation is that sometimes you can’t be successful because of lots of things that have an impact on you as a manager and the club you’re at.
“I think what we’ve done so far has to be viewed as progress. We’re in decent shape at the moment.”
To make Hughes’ task even harder he has changed Stoke’s direct style, which was so ingrained under Tony Pulis, while he has less money than his predecessor.
“It’s not easy,” he confessed. “But it’s been easier because of the players who are here, and the players we’ve been able to bring in.”
After trying to get Stoke to pass the ball, Hughes went more direct against Aston Villa and their first goal on 50 minutes came when Peter Crouch flicked on Geoff Cameron’s free-kick for Charlie Adam to score within five minutes of coming on.
The normally-reliable Erik Pieters committed an uncharacteristic blunder when his back header went straight to Libor Kozak to equalise on 66 minutes.
Four minutes later, Crouch, who Hughes says won’t be sold in January, showed his wife and new Strictly champion Abbey Clancy isn’t the only one with moves as he converted Cameron’s cross for the winner.
The defeat was the third on the spin for Villa, who were without the injured Christian Benteke, and goalkeeper Brad Guzan admits they must beat Crystal Palace on Boxing Day.
“It’s not a great way to go into Christmas, but the good thing about this period is that the matches are a quick turnaround,” he said.
“It makes Palace a massive game and we have to make sure we come out of it with three points.
“It’s all about the next game and Palace is a big test for us. We have to make sure we’re up for it and come out for it ready.”
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