Hughes bullish about his future at ‘healthy’ Stoke

The number of Premier League managers sacked so far this season currently stands at three and, following a chastening defeat at Manchester City and a home loss to Bournemouth, speculation this time last week suggested Stoke’s Mark Hughes might be the next in the firing line.

The man himself, is unconcerned. His four-and-a-half year reign in the Potteries has been largely successful and the Welshman knows he is at a club with a more realistic sense of perspective than some of its rivals.

“I think given my record since I’ve been at Stoke I deserve that,” said Hughes of chairman Peter Coates’ faith in him. “The people in charge and the owners know how I operate and what I do on a daily basis. It’s about results but it’s not just about what happens on Saturday.

“It’s about understanding how healthy the club is and how ready the club is to be successful.”

Three ninth-place finishes and last season’s 13th suggest the former Manchester City manager is right to have faith in his abilities. After shipping nine goals in their last two games, Stoke were back to their resolute best as they frustrated Watford in a fractious encounter at Vicarage Road.

Nasty images of Watford striker Troy Deeney digging his fingers into the cheekbone of Stoke’s Joe Allen may yet yield harsher punishment than the booking Deeney received from referee Michael Oliver as the game ended amid a flurry of yellow cards.

The man to ease the pressure on his manager was Darren Fletcher, who scored his first goal for the club on his 101st consecutive Premier League appearance.