Stoke fans have plenty to be
optimistic about this season as Mark Hughes proved his side could compete with
some of the top sides for the big names, signing Ibrahim Afellay from Barcelona
– the winger starting the opening game against Liverpool. A late moment of
brilliance from Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho took the draw away from the
Potters in a well contested match at the Britannia Stadium. Hughes will look
for his side to be more clinical moving forward, with only one shot on target
in the match. Despite the loss, Stoke proved they have what it takes to go toe
to toe with the big boys this season and could shock a few.
In an astonishing turn of events,
many fans’ dreams of Xherdan Shaqiri being signed by Stoke were realised in the
week building up to their second game off the season against Tottenham Hotspur.
The new signing however was carrying a ban from his time at Inter Milan,
forcing the Switzerland international to watch from the stand. In what really
was a game of two halves, the Potters responded well having entered the break
2-0 down, with second half goals in the shape of a Marco Arnautovic penalty and
a flicked header from Mame Biram Diouf. Stoke fans will have been pleased as
their side escaped with a point following a solid second half comeback.
Xherdan Shaqiri’s signing may
bring a new confidence in Stoke City’s play this season, which could see them
steal a few points as the season moves forward. A tricky one to call, but
definitely a team to keep an eye on this campaign.
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