BURGER HITS THE SPOT FOR SCHUMACHER

STOKE boss Steven Schumacher has hailed the leadership qualities of 22-year-old Dutch midfielder Wouter Burger.

The Netherlands Under-21 star (above) has been wearing the captain’s armband in the injury absence of Josh Laurent and led by example with the winning goal in the crucial midweek clash against QPR.

It was the Potters’ first home win since October after a barren run of eight games, with Schumacher saying of Burger: “He’s the type of player who really cares about his performance, how the team are doing.

“He is one who really seems to understand the game and that leadership role is going to grow the older he gets.

“We want to make sure we have leaders not just on the pitch but off it, around the training ground, players to drive the standards which are so important.

“Wout is a young player but he leads by example on the pitch. He will get better as he gets older and with the off the field stuff as well.”

Burger was Stoke’s biggest buy, costing £4.2million from Basel, in a summer spree which has failed to make an impact in the Championship.

The Potters have found themselves looking anxiously over their shoulders at the relegation zone. And in a bid to improve results at home they have spent time training on the bet365 Stadium pitch.

Ahead of today’s home clash with Coventry, Schumacher (top) added: “I hope that win over QPR gives the players some confidence because it’s not been easy playing here at home all season.

“It’s important we don’t relax now. It’s not over, it was just one win. The league is still tight and if you’re not quite at it you can get turned over.

“It was too long since we had won at home. Hopefully we have put that stigma, which has been hanging over us for too long, to bed.”