Hughes seeks a bright start
MARK HUGHES is confident Stoke will not be overwhelmed by Spurs today, despite losing 4-0 at home against Mauricio Pochettino’s side in September.
The Stoke boss said: ‘We have improved markedly since that game. But we’ll have play well to make sure that doesn’t happen.
‘Start brightly, that is the key to it. Hopefully we’ll be nice and sharp.’
Stoke’s recent record at White Hart Lane shows a 2-2 draw from early last season and a 2-1 victory on their visit in 2014-15.
Hughes fears a backlash from Dele Alli after the midfielder’s red card in the midweek defeat by Gent. ‘He only played 40 minutes, so he’ll be fresh for our game,’ Hughes said.