The Premier League Game of Thrones
By Ryan Wrenn
Mark Hughes – Stoke City
Projected Finish: 9th
How’d he do?
Mark Hughes’ Stoke City project continues. Hughes was given the daunting task of transforming a club that had spent years under Tony Pulis’ unorthodox methods. The process has been slow. One cannot expect to transform a rugby team into Barcelona overnight. But the arrivals of some tricky and talented players heralded a turn to more attractive soccer this season. Much of those changes were hitched on the star of attacking midfielder Bojan Krkic, who unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury in late January. Despite that tremendous loss, Hughes has guided a new and improving Stoke into a likely top half finish.
Season Highlight: The 1-0 victory at Manchester City that presaged City’s uneven form this season.
Season Lowlight: The loss of Bojan just as he began to pay out on his promise.
Future?
In. Stoke would love to see what Hughes can do with a full season of Bojan. Though a European place might be a bit too much to expect for next season, Hughes will no doubt have another upper half finish in his sights.