Stoke’s unbeaten run in the Premier League finally came to the end with the 1-0 loss to Bournemouth at the bet365 Stadium. Nathan Ake’s header midway through the first half was somehow the only goal of the game, with the home side having countless chances to equalise. No more so than Bojan’s penalty, which he won at the start of the second half; however he couldn’t convert it and it was a sign of things to come for the Potters.
Xherdan Shaqiri and Marko Arnautovic came back into the side following injury and suspension retrospectively, displacing Jon Walters and Ramadan who both made the bench. Glenn Whelan was injured playing for Ireland during the international break, so Bojan earned a starting place following his goal at the London Stadium last time out. Glen Johnson made the bench, the first time he made the squad since being injured following his England call-up. Giannelli Imbula also made the bench after his exile in recent weeks.
Stoke City arrive back at the Bet 365 Stadium on the back of six games unbeaten in the league. A late goal courtesy of the right foot of Bojan Krkic saved a draw against West Ham at the London Stadium last time out.
The Potters welcome Bournemouth to Staffordshire on Saturday, who have had a tough time of it in recent weeks. The cherries gave league strugglers Sunderland their first win of the season after a disappointing loss to Middlesbrough the week before.
Taking Stoke’s poor start to the season and Bournemouth’s recent troubles into consideration has meant that the two clubs find themselves in similar situations – 12th and 13th to be exact. A win for either side could rocket them into the top half of the table.
It’s hard to believe after the concerning start to the campaign that we would find ourselves on a run of six games unbeaten. A combination of factors such as Joe Allen literally imitating the heroics of Jesus means that Stoke now sit 12th in the table. But what next?
Unfortunately for Stoke City fans the torrid start to the season came as no surprise following several well-documented poor starts to previous seasons under Mark Hughes’ leadership. Within the first month of fixtures many fans had decided that European football, even a top half finish, were out of sight already. This came in spite of the poor form at the beginnings of season past, but where do the clubs chances stand now?
The turnaround in form by the team has been something just short of miraculous. Helped by a run of easier fixtures, no doubt, performances, in attack and defence, have significantly improved. The discussions of whether or not Hughes should face the sack have faded with a similar gusto to how the team has improved, and deservedly so. However, the Welshman’s struggles at the start of every single season he has been in charge should not be forgotten when it comes to the end.
As Mark Hughes attempts to advance his side past their highest ninth place a question lingers over the side, do Stoke’s players now have to be multifaceted and not simply reliant on one trade mark style of play?
The answer to this question clearly seems to be a yes, as Stoke try to continue the evolution of playing style the players are required to perform more complex tasks. This is evident in Hughes’ transfer work: Allen, Bony, Indi, Ramadan, Imbula, Shaqiri, Arnautovic, Johnson all players whose style is made up of a minimum of 2 significant aspects. Even players such as Charlie Adam, who has shown a new found defensive and positional awareness alongside his traditionally vast passing range, are developing their game to include more elements.
Most Potters were in unanimous agreement that a point away at West Ham, without three key players and on the back of three straight wins would be pleasing. Thankfully Stoke managed to claim that point, despite putting in an average performance unlikely to set many hearts alight. The most pleasing aspect of the result, however, is its demonstration of what awaits Stoke throughout the rest of this season, and potentially beyond.
First and foremost the game demonstrated a strength in depth that the side has not had during its’ years in the Premier League. Missing 4 star players (Shaqiri, Arnautovic, Butland and Johnson) as well as Geoff Cameron who is ranked as our 4th best player this season by WhoScored, Stoke managed to achieve a draw against last seasons’ 7th placed side. It was not just a pleasing result, as without these essential players, Stoke were the aggressors and, if being hyper critical, should have won the match. If Stoke are to be competitive in all competitions (especially if we can eventually reach Europe) then this quality throughout the entire squad will be essential.
The two teams playing in the London Stadium yesterday gave us no reason to remember, remember the 5th of November as Stoke and West Ham played their part in a dismal 1-1 draw. The game sparked into life courtesy of a Glenn Whelan own goal, but a late Bojan goal poured cold water over any West Ham party. Despite being the away side, Stoke edged the better of the chances in the match and were well deserving at least a point, but had plenty of chances to come away with all three.
There was two changes to the side that beat Swansea on Halloween night. Marko Arnautovic picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and in turn picked up a ban for this game; Ramadan Sobhi, who also played on Monday night, came in to replace him. Xherdan Shaqiri also picked up an injury and wasn’t fit in time to play this one, having also pulled out of his international call-up as a result; so Jon Walters came into the side on the right wing.
Stoke went into the game, without three major players; Arnautovic, Shaqiri and depending on your opinion, Cameron. But that didn’t seem to bother many of the Stoke fans; Ramadan had played well in the previous week at home to Swansea, as did Adam. But the suspension of Arnautovic was to be the biggest problem facing Hughes when deciding his replacement. Was he to go with the Fan’s favourite Bojan or trusty workhorse Walters? At 2pm on what felt like the coldest day of the year we found out. Arnie’s place was to go to the great veteran Walters. Couple of fans sitting next to me groaned with disappointment, as did I to be honest.
Stoke City head to the London Stadium in form that after the first few weeks of the season not many would have seen coming. Three wins on the bounce has shot the Potters up the table but the points have come from teams that have struggled themselves.
Stoke come up against West Ham who have also had a problematic start to the season. The Hammers are just above the relegation zone in 17th place, losing six of their first ten games.
Both sides have won three games apiece so far this term and will be desperate to get the three points. West Ham will be hoping to really kick start their tenure at the London Stadium whilst Stoke are searching for a fourth consecutive win. A feat that last occurred five years ago in December 2011.
With a trip to the Olympic Stadium next up for the Potters we sat down and had a chat with Sean Whetstone from West Ham Till I Die.
It’s been a tricky start to the season for West Ham, is there any specific problem you can put this down to?
Where do I start? We moved stadium and training ground over the summer which is a massive change. Both Arsenal and Man City struggled the season after their moves. The pitch is much bigger and much wider than we are used to. That excuse put to one side, we have struggled with some important injuries and we remain the only Premier League not to have have a recognised striker score this season. Three strikers have been injured, two loanee strikers have not made the grade needed for the Premier League and our youngster Ashley Fletcher from Manchester United has not been given a real chance. The team needs to get their confidence back and we will soon be back to our winning ways of last season.
