Stoke Fan View: How Stoke continue good record at White Hart Lane

Play with a fast intensity and work on Tottenham’s tired legs.

After Spurs’ gruelling game against Belgian side Gent, it’s essential Stoke press as much as possible and force Spurs to work hard. If Stoke press and apply an intense pressure it will cause the Tottenham team to fatigue meaning Stoke can really push on in the final minutes.

Spurs weren’t helped by Dele Alli’s shocking challenge early on in the game, which really meant they had to work hard in an attempt to salvage the game. Alli’s petulance probably cost Spurs a place in the last 16 of the competition which means Spurs may be a bit disheartened as well as tired.

This combination is something that Stoke should thrive off in an attempt to get three points, as Spurs should be ripped of confidence of energy. Well, so I hope.

Let Ramadan Sobhi retain his place in the side

The young Egyptian yet again performed when asked upon by Hughes. A man of the match display by him yet again, as his work rate and skill on the ball, created security defensively and unpredictability offensively.

Playing a key role in Allen’s goal the Egyptian had Joel Ward facing the wrong way throughout as he continually punished him down the left-hand side. He may not be the quickest but he seems to continuously get the better of his man, which is a real show of his technical assets.

With Shaqiri coming back into the picture it could be easy for Hughes to just drop the 20-year-old, but what kind of message does that send out? Hughes should keep the player who’s played well as dropping someone for playing well wouldn’t make much sense to me but is something Hughes has done often throughout his time at Stoke.

Play Imbula or Cameron and make us more athletic in midfield.

Tottenham have players who can dominate us in midfield and with a Whelan and Adam pivot that would seem likely. Players like Wanyama, Dembele and Dier are all strong, quick and great at retaining the ball. We need someone who’s quick and is willing to press the ball and not allow them to run the game from midfield.

Cameron is ideal for this but I’m not sure that Hughes will start him so quickly after coming back from injury. Imbula however, is needed to make us more of a threat offensively and defensively (although other Stoke fans may not agree on this).

Adam is often a huge liability defensively, committing more fouls than any other player in half the game time. Against Tottenham, a team who he has a history with, it would be wise to not have him on from the start. Imbula is a calm player and with a point to prove, it would be nice to see him gliding through players again.