Fansided

New Year’s Resolutions for every Premier League team

By James Dudko

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Fernandinho and Kevin De Bruyne after the match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on December 10, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Victoria Haydn/Man City via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Fernandinho and Kevin De Bruyne after the match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on December 10, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Victoria Haydn/Man City via Getty Images) /
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STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 16: Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross during the Premier League match between Stoke City and West Ham United at Bet365 Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 16: Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross during the Premier League match between Stoke City and West Ham United at Bet365 Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images) /

17. Stoke: Stop gifting goals

Stoke have given away so many goals already this season they’ve probably invented new ways to concede. The Potters own the leakiest defense in the division, a mistake-prone group undermining the obvious talent of goalkeeper Jack Butland.

There’s not a lot manager Mark Hughes can do about it. His best defender is Chelsea loanee Kurt Zouma, but the Frenchman can’t seem to shake the injury bug for long.

Club captain Ryan Shawcross should have been moved on by now, while summer import Kevin Wimmer has failed to live up to expectations.

Stoke’s penchant for shipping goals rests as much on a lack of talent at the back, as it does on an unavoidable habit to self-destruct. Hughes does what he can to protect his defenders, putting midfield destroyer Darren Fletcher in front of them, but the Potter are facing relegation unless they find a stingy streak during 2018.

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