‘If we come through massive tests we’re in the pound seats!’

AQUICK look at how the season was shaping up after six and 10 games last season is, first, a sign that Stoke City have made a solid enough start – and, second, a reminder about the test coming up with the next four matches in a fortnight.

At this stage in 2019/20 it was clear that the league table was starting to settle. Four of the final top-six teams were already in.

After 10 games, all teams moved up places except Brentford, who dropped – and ultimately paid the price because they so narrowly fell short of the line.

Now Stoke are 10th with nine points. They’re within touching distance of that top six and that’s really important.

And if you look at three of their next four opponents, they are up around the play-off paces: Brentford, Swansea and Watford. It’s rather significant. Stoke have to show what they’re made of. If they’re going to be there, these are the games they have to do well in.

There are teams around Stoke who I’m keeping my eye on, like Norwich, who’ve come down from the Premier League; Middlesbrough with Neil Warnock; Cardiff and Preston, who have been disappointing so far.

And it will be interesting to see the short and long-term impact that Chris Hughton can have at Nottingham Forest.

For Stoke, the home form, obviously, is sticking out like a sore thumb regardless of a general trend that has seen away teams win more, as games have gone behind closed doors.

Stoke had kept seven clean sheets in nine before Wednesday’s draw with Barnsley but in the search for perfection, you have to be wary about being too open in wide areas, which is the weakness of the wing-back system. That’s the area you’re going to get caught.

I still bang the drum for a 4-4-1-1, which is much harder to break down while still giving you all your attacking options. It works two-fold.

You can put Nick Powell in the number 10 role, natural wingers in those wide areas, people with pace who can make crosses. You can always move infield to support players when the ball is on the opposite flank. That’s where you expect Tyrese Campbell to be.

Powell, right, is one of the main men and he’s wasted out wide. He exploits space and he’s cheeky with it. He upsets opposing players and you need him in that central area, supporting the forward and linking with midfield.

You wouldn’t play Steven Fletcher wide left, he’s a striker. You wouldn’t play John Obi Mikel wide right, he’s a sitting midfielder. It’s as simple as that. You might get the odd one who is really adaptable but to get the best out of most, you have to put them in your best role – and there’s no doubt in my mind where that is for Powell.

I’m also wondering what’s happening with James Mcclean this season, even if he’s missed a couple through injury. He’s a talented player who’ll give you everything in that wide player in that attacking left position.

It’s okay playing 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 when you’ve got wingers away from home – and the top teams can switch tactics between fixtures, depending on the situation.

The benefits should be that you’re solid in that defensive third and central zone.

The problem against Barnsley was that we were running backwards, spread and chasing. We hadn’t shut the gate behind us when we were attacking. You need to get to work early ready for lost possession.

It’s sensing danger. Fill in those positions quickly, even when you’re in possession. Players can forget that sometimes when their mind wanders. One ball over the top and they’re done.

If you’re going to top the league, these are things you have to do consistently well week in, week out.

So far we’re not doing badly. We’re within touching distance. These games to come will be massive tests. If we come through them we’re in the pound seats.

It doesn’t look like the manager is going to change the system at home – but I would certainly look at it to get the best out of players and the team.

From where he took over last season it’s been an absolute fantastic achievement.

Now they’re in position to push again to get into that top six. All credit to him.

Keep going upwards.