Well, well, well. The Mark Hughes love train has come to a sudden halt.
Stoke City find themselves in 16th place and a loss on Saturday would potential plummet them into the relegation zone. There`s the bad news. The good news is that we`re not underperforming to the scale of the once mighty Manchester United. It turns out that losing Alex Ferguson as manager is actually a lot more detrimental to your club than losing ode` Tone.
Let`s be honest, both of these sides have hardly lit up the Premier League this season. Stoke City are struggling to pierce teams. There`s no doubt that Hughes has instilled a passing mentality into the team but it`s just not clicking. The team is happy to have possession but the tempo in which they move the ball about is bordering non-existent. Teams know that when they face Stoke City, all that they need to do is stand off, keep organised and eventually the counter attack will present itself. The problem with City is that we`re suffering from Arsene Wenger syndrome. We want the perfect goal, every player unwilling to pull the trigger because a cuter pass may be available. This is not what we signed up to when we asked for better football. On Saturday I hope to see Hughes encourage our wingers to put some balls ‘into the mixer`, to mix it up a little, we can pass short but we can also pass long. We are more one dimensional now than we`ve ever been.
Don`t get me wrong, this is not me turning on Hughes. I will back the man until I`m blue in the face or he`s given the boot. I have recognised our weaknesses and hopefully Hughes can do so too. The atmosphere at the Britannia has been beyond a joke in recent games and it`s time for our fans to stop focusing on their own agendas and to pull together for the team. Pulis and Hughes are not mutually exclusive; there is no need to limit yourself to supporting one or the other. Respect what was and support what is. Was that a battle cry?
Think that was negative? Onto Manchester United. The fall from grace has never been so beautiful to admire as a neutral. David Moyes, the brunt of internet trolls and the man who destroyed a legacy in 8 Premier League games. It turns out that Stoke fans are not the most fickle in the Premier league. In what can only be described as a diabolical start to the season, Manchester United find themselves in 8th place and a loss would see Stoke City draw level on points. The good news for Stoke is that David Moyes has managed to taint the golden boots of Robin Van Persie. On the other hand, Rooney has flourished under Moyes, thanking his rigorous training methods for his new found fitness.
The game comes off the back of Sir Alex Ferguson`s book release. Old whiskey nose hasn`t held back and couldn`t resist putting the boot into Rooney. Rooney`s reply was plain to see in midweek when he put in another brilliant performance vs Real Sociedad. As a Stoke fan, I`m praying that the midweek game took alot out of Rooney. I`m praying that the rejuvenated Rooney stays at home.
Similarities can be drawn between Manchester United and Stoke City this season. Both teams have new managers after long reigns for the old, both have been very boring to watch, both desperate to put the demons to bed and win on Saturday.
Manchester United Team News:
RVP and Nemanja Vidic are both doubts.
Player to watch: Wayne Rooney
I don’t know what David Moyes said to this man at the start of the season but keeping hold of the England international has been Moyes’ best piece of business since taking the helm at Old Trafford.
Allow space to Rooney at your peril.
Stoke City Team News:
Ryan Shawcross is a doubt for Stoke. A huge blow for the Potters.
Player to watch: Steven N’Zonzi
I’ve picked N’Zonzi because of his knack of rising to the big occasions.
The two key players will no doubt go head to head with Wayne Rooney likely to be playing the number 10 role. It will take a stellar performance from N’Zonzi to stop a rejuvenated Rooney on Saturday.
Ref Watch:
Lloyd Reddin tok a closer look at Saturday’s referee Lee Mason.
https://stoke.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=336110
Match Prediction:
My heart says we’re going to win 1-0. A 90th minute header by Robert Huth.
My head, 2-0 to United. Keep backing Hughes, the result will come but not at Old Trafford.
