Stoke boss Hughes calls for reaction against Chelsea after Bristol City loss

Stoke manager Mark Hughes wants a reaction from his players against Chelsea on Saturday following their Carabao Cup defeat to Bristol City.

Hughes described his side’s performance at Ashton Gate as “poor” as a strong team containing the likes of Kurt Zouma, Bruno Martins Indi, Darren Fletcher and Peter Crouch were beaten 2-0 by the Sky Bet Championship club.

Stoke resume Premier League action against the champions at the bet365 Stadium at the weekend and Hughes is confident of an improved display.

“I know we will be better against Chelsea on Saturday, but that isn’t much consolation at the moment,” he told the club’s official website.

“We need a reaction. That’s what we will drill into the players going into the Chelsea game because that was unacceptable.”

Hughes will hope captain Ryan Shawcross returns to training before the end of the week to prove his fitness as on-loan defender Zouma is ineligible against Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Bristol City assistant head coach Dean Holden hopes Manchester United can get past Burton on Wednesday night as he is eyeing a trip to Old Trafford to face the holders in the next round.

“I said for the last one Manchester United away would be nice, but they might not get through. They’ve got Burton and they might not beat them so.” Holden told the Bristol Post.

“I don’t think the lads are too concerned who we get. I’m sure they’ve all got their own little ones that they want to have themselves, but we’ll take whoever. It sounds churlish but whoever we get we’ll fancy our chances.”

Source: PA


Published at Wed, 20 Sep 2017 11:53:57 +0000