Outsiders Stoke well worth a punt for Capital One Cup glory

Potters have players to win trophies

After years of Premier League consolidation, where Stoke utilised an effective way of playing that got results and operated to their strengths, Hughes has created a considerable shift in footballing mentality.

Previously under Tony Pulis, their physical style caused opponents no end of problems from set-pieces and everyone remembers the long throw of Rory Delap, which often found Ricardo Fuller in the penalty area.

This approach was enough to guarantee survival and stabilise themselves as a genuine mid-table side, though under Hughes, who has managed to attract quality personnel, they can push on.

Wanted by Manchester United, for whom he spent some of his career, Hughes will no doubt want to prove that he is good enough for the job by winning silverware with Stoke, while building a quality team at the same time.

Stoke have more than enough about them to beat Liverpool over two legs in the Capital One Cup semi-final and then push on to win the competition. They have already beaten the other teams left in the competition this term, running out 4-3 winners over Everton at Goodison Park, while an Arnautovic brace ensured Stoke downed City.

Brilliant Butland can be unlikely hero

While the front three have received a lot of the plaudits for Stoke’s success this term, it is easy to forget the contribution that goalkeeper Jack Butland has made.

Quite possibly responsible for some of the best goalkeeper performances of the season, Butland is more than a match for Liverpool’s strikeforce, which has hardly been prolific this season.

Should Stoke go all the way, he will even outshine current England number one and international colleague, Joe Hart, while simultaneously staking a credible place in the Three Lions starting lineup at Euro 2016 this summer.

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