Stoke City go in search of a second Championship victory of the 2018/19 campaign this weekend as we make the trip to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday.
Stoke sit one point above the drop zone at this early stage of the campaign but our opening six matches in the league following relegation have only seen five points returned – one victory and two draws. With three defeats it’s not what manager Gary Rowett would’ve wanted for the year and given we headed into the September international break following defeat to West Bromwich Albion, I can see him tinkering with the lineup once again.
Butland,
Martina, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Pieters,
Bojan, Woods, Allen, ???,
Berahino, Afobe
With plenty of talk about Bojan this last week, I can see him being given the opportunity to sink or swim from the start. If it works, Rowett will look good, if it doesn’t he’ll feel a point has been made to those fans calling for greater inclusion for the 28-year-old.
Having made his club bow following his arrival from Brentford in the last game as a substitute, I think Ryan Woods will get a quick chance to make the spot his own, especially with Sam Clucas doubtful to make the game on the last I heard.
The biggest question is who replaces James McClean given his month odd out on the sidelines with an effective arm break. There are a few options, and I guess Mame Biram Diouf or Tom Ince will take the wide position depending on their own injury news if there’s anything I’ve missed.
