EPL 2017/18: Chelsea 5-0 Stoke City - 5 Talking Points

#2 Mark Hughes - Depleted and dejected

Time running out for Hughes?

Perhaps he deserves a little more from his players, especially considering whatever he has done for the club ever since taking up the job back in 2013. Mark Hughes has transformed the way Stoke play their football over the years and helped them to commendable places in the league table under his reign.

However, in recent weeks he has been under the scanner owing to his side's poor run of form and it seems as if the Potters are heading right into the heart of a scramble for survival unless they turn their fortunes around.

Peter Coates, the club chairman, has backed Hughes over the years but he could be left with little choice if they are to drop more points in the coming weeks. The game against Newcastle United at home becomes extremely important for Stoke and a win could ease some pressure on Hughes, who will definitely seek reinforcements in January if he is still around at the bet365 stadium.