Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Mark Hughes kicks the long ball into touch at Stoke
STOKE boss Mark Hughes believes his team are ready to consign their reputation as a long-ball side to history by matching the big guns in the goalscoring stakes.
The Potters’ solid start to the new Barclays Premier League season has still to convince the critics, though Stoke have conceded only four goals in their first five league games.
But Hughes reckons that the tactical revolution he has overseen since replacing Tony Pulis in the summer will pay off, starting with tomorrow’s visit of Norwich City.
Hughes said: “We are certainly creating chances and that is encouraging. I think it is only a matter of time until we really take the game to somebody and score quite a few goals.” Despite being tipped for relegation, Stoke have impressed in their opening games, and were unlucky not to beat Manchester City.
Matthew Etherington suffered whiplash in a traffic accident on Friday but hopes to face the struggling Canaries.
KO: 1:30pm TV: Sky 1