Stoke loses again as pressure mounts on Hughes

Last-placed Stoke was 2-0 down within 11 minutes at Selhurst Park.

“We have ambitions this season and if this run continues any longer we won’t be able to achieve them”, he is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

“The manager has given myself and Wilf [Zaha] the freedom to switch wings, and I think it worked on both sides today”.

“It is nearly like you can not come out of that box, which seems a bit ridiculous to me. Powerful in the top line, powerful at set plays, and that won us the game”.

– Stoke have picked up just one point from their opening five Premier League games; their worst start to a top-flight season since 1951-52 (one point).

“This team has changed drastically in the summer, and it’s hard to change a team and change the style of play a bit to suit new players. They will be absolutely fine, they have a great squad and a great manager”.

“We knew today we could get our first home win, and now everyone’s focussed on the game on Wednesday [in the EFL Cup] to try and get another one”.

“We have tried to analyse what we don’t do well at home and what we do well”. Much appeared wrong with the balance of a team that featured the considerable talent of Bojan Krkic, Wilfried Bony, Marko Arnautovic and Joe Allen, and was contrasted by Alan Pardew’s Palace, who seem to have gelled.

“It is about keeping the momentum, it is very hard in any Premier League game”.

“It is maybe to do with the fixtures that have been thrown at us, along with not dealing with certain elements of the game you have to”, Hughes said ahead of Sunday’s trip.

Palace boss Pardew enjoyed a very fruitful time during the transfer window this summer by bringing in a host of high profile players to Selhurst Park, and the capture of Steve Mandanda for just £1.5 million was arguably the best bit of business conducted by the 55-year-old over the close season. “We’ve got a similar group, no huge changes and it’s a case of making sure that what we’re doing in terms of a game plan is at a better level”. “We need to turn this round very quickly”.

Winger Xherdan Shaqiri remains out due to his calf problem.