x

Monk Praise For Stoke Boss Hughes

Garry Monk will come face to face with a former team mate this evening and is full of praise for his opposite number who he believes has undertaken a massive change in his time in charge at Stoke.

Stoke are now accepted as playing a more attractive form of football under Hughes compared to his predecessor Tony Pulis and it has paid dividends for them with the side achieving their joint best league finish last season with a record number of points for the club.

Stoke have set themselves as one of the established Premier League clubs and will come to the Liberty this evening looking for the win that will take them above the Swans with the Premier League turning into a very interesting season for clubs like us.

Monk was a team mate of Mark Hughes at Southampton at the front end of his career but he got one over on Hughes last season when the Swans finished one place above Stoke thanks to a win over them at the Liberty at the start of May,

The change in style at Stoke is something that has impressed Monk though "That change is probably the hardest thing you can do in management," he said

"It takes a lot of work, detail and willingness from yourself, the staff and the players.

"You also need trust from above and the chairman, board and directors buying into what you're doing and giving you the licence to recruit the players you want.

"You need all that to change vision and it takes time, but they've done that exceptionally well at Stoke."

What to read next:

Dale Announce Released List
With the season now done and dusted, teams are now announcing their released lists and Dale have decided to go early with theirs.
Refwatch: Southend United v Rochdale
Dale’s final game of the season at Southend United on Saturday will be refereed by PAUL JOHNSON.
Refwatch: Rochdale v Boreham Wood
Boreham Wood’s first visit to Spotland on Tuesday will be refereed by OLIVER MACKEY.
TVOS Preview: Rochdale v Dorking Wanderers
Rochdale AFC’s matchday programme – The Voice of Spotland – is back for Saturday’s Vanarama National League fixture against Dorking Wanderers.
Refwatch: Rochdale v Dorking Wanderers
Dale’s penultimate home fixture of the season against Dorking Wanderers on Saturday will be refereed by JOHN MULLIGAN.
Rochdale v Boreham Wood - Game Off
Somewhat predictably, tonight's game at home to Boreham Wood has been postponed.
Refwatch: Rochdale v Boreham Wood
Boreham Wood’s first visit to Spotland on Tuesday will be refereed by OLIVER MACKEY.
Refwatch: Oldham Athletic v Rochdale
Dale’s penultimate away game of the season at Oldham Athletic on Saturday will be refereed by RUEBYN RICARDO.
TVOS Preview: Rochdale v Hartlepool United
Rochdale AFC’s matchday programme – The Voice of Spotland – is back for Monday’s Vanarama National League fixture against Hartlepool United.
Refwatch: Rochdale v Hartlepool United
The most played home fixture in Dale’s history will be refereed on Easter Monday by RICHARD ELEY.