Hughes: Our home form will improve; it always does

Mark Holmes
Ryan Shawcross: Impressed since returning for Stoke City

Ryan Shawcross: Impressed since returning for Stoke City

Mark Hughes is in no doubt that Stoke City will soon improve on a record of only one win in five Premier League games at the Britannia Stadium this season.

Stoke have been beaten on their own turf by Liverpool, West Brom and Watford already this season, while Leicester City came from two goals down to claim a draw.

However, ahead of Saturday evening’s game against Chelsea, Hughes expressed no concern about either his side’s lack of points at HQ or their lack of goals in general – the Potters’ record of nine goals in 11 games is the worst in the Premier League.

“We would ideally like more goals on the board,” Hughes said, “but it’s more important to get results on the board, which for the most part we’ve been able to do.

“We’ve picked up points on the road and looked strong away from home.

“We know our home form (one win in five) will improve because it always does and this isn’t an easy place to come.

“In games we are creating chances, but not as many as we’d like. We have talent, expect them to produce and they will do.

“So I’m quite comfortable at the moment. ”

Stoke were boosted last week by the return to action of Ryan Shawcross, who impressed in the Capital One Cup win over Saturday’s opponents Chelsea before helping the team to only their second Premier League clean sheet of the season, at Newcastle.

Hughes is delighted with the speed at which the skipper has recaptured something like his best form.

He added: “We have been able to bring Ryan Shawcross back into the fold and credit to him he’s played two games and not only does he looked physically more than capable, bit his form has been very, very good considering the length of time he was out.

“He has leadership qualities and he has shown them even when he hasn’t been able to play. Now he can show them on the field.

“It’s resolved as well as we could have hoped.”

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