Stoke Fan View: Mark Hughes has tightened things up at the back

Defensively brilliant for the majority

The three at the back formation has certainly had a huge impact on our defensive output so far this season, only conceding two goals in our first three games and never looking in any real danger in this particular match.

I think the main reason this system is working so well is down to the variance in leadership, athleticism and intelligence of the three centre backs, who compliment each other in this position perfectly.

With the arrival of Wimmer supposedly imminent, it highlights the fantastic depth we have and the rotation available to continue to play this formation even when a centre back gets injured.

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We’re still lacking up front

I felt bad for Choupo-Moting at the weekend as playing as a loan striker against a very well organised West Brom defence. Especially when you take in that playing as a striker, is not his preferred role.

We also repeatedly never change the way we play to suit the more mobile striker, it’s why I think Berahino isn’t mostly at fault when he plays. Even with his lack of goals, the system is to blame more than him.

It’s still quite worrying that our best-attacking option is still a 36 year old Peter Crouch and with not much time left in the window, it’s something that needs to be addressed. Crouch isn’t going to keep playing forever.

We need new wing backs.

The fact our first choice right wing back is an out an out striker shows the complete lack of depth we have in these positions right now. Geoff Cameron had to fill in that role on Sunday, as Mame Diouf was out and showed as we had extremely little threat coming from both sides of the pitch.

Both can defend well but if there’s nothing creative coming from the wide areas there’s no point in having a wing back. We’d probably best playing Sobhi at right wing back now for the time being, as he actually provides quality on both sides of the pitch.

If there’s one position we really need to improve before Thursday’s deadline day, it’s this one. We can’t continue to play this formation carrying so little a threat in those wide areas, more production is needed out wide.