Hughes has no fear he’ll follow Koeman
MARK HUGHES believes he has the managerial experience he needs to avoid Ronald Koeman’s fate as he bids to turn around Stoke’s season.
Hughes claims that only Everton have had a tougher run of fixtures to start the campaign than his Stoke side – who have faced Arsenal, Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs in their opening nine league games.
Everton have also met those four teams plus Tottenham, and Koeman lost his job on Monday after they slipped below the Potters and into the Premier League relegation zone on goal difference.
Hughes still has the backing of Stoke’s board despite a run of four defeats in five matches before today’s trip to Watford. Chairman Peter Coates has made it clear that results must improve quickly after two damaging defeats in the last fortnight – a 7-2 thrashing at Manchester City and Bournemouth’s 2-1 victory at the Bet365 Stadium.
Today’s visit to Vicarage Road is followed by matches against fellow strugglers Leicester, Brighton and Crystal Palace and Hughes said: “The chairman just wants good performances.
“The last two are not what we want. Before that, I think he was delighted as the rest of us with the amount of points we’d got out of the fixtures we were faced with.
“His attitude hasn’t changed markedly in a week and why would it? He knows he’s got good people working for him who understand what’s required – we’ll get the job done.”
Watford boss Marco Silva has called on referees to protect Richarlison, the Premier League’s most fouled player.
The Brazilian winger has suffered 30 fouls this season. Silva said: . “I understand that he is an important player for us What I want is the officials to protect him like they do the other players.”