Mark Hughes loving surprise return to playing as Jordan Pickford hails Stoke City heroes

England number one Jordan Pickford has hailed the influence of former Stoke keeper Mark Prudhoe.
-Credit: (Image: ALBERTO LINGRIA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)


Thanks, in a fashion, to Opta for a piece of trivia which paints a picture at Stoke City heading into this big mid-week home match against Portsmouth.

Stoke, they say, have only won one of their last eight league meetings against newly-promoted opponents – a 3-0 win over Plymouth Argyle in April – and, at home, have failed to score in six of their last seven matches against newly-promoted sides. The Plymouth game was the odd one out again as Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday, Wigan, Rotherham, Sunderland and Blackpool have kept clean sheets at the bet365 Stadium since the spring of 2022.

In fact, Stoke have failed to score in 51 out of the 156 home league matches over the last seven years since the start of October 2017 – but they have scored in each of the last seven, so hopefully a statistical corner has been turned.

READ MORE:Tony Pulis's words of wisdom as Narcis Pelach dives into Stoke City deep end

READ MORE:Stoke City forward Bae Junho summoned as 'Son Heung-min alternative'

Jordan Pickford’s hero Potters

Two interesting names when England keeper Jordan Pickford is asked who are his big influences and heroes: Mark Prudhoe and Tommy Sorensen.

“My first coach was someone I still speak to now, Mark Prudhoe. He was my coach at eight years old all the way up to me making my debut at Sunderland and we still keep in touch,” he said in an interview for the England Football website.

“I would say Pruds (has been the most influential coach in my career). The number of goalkeepers he's worked with at a young age and got them through to professional football, he's an extremely important figure.

“To be honest, back in those days a lot of my football enjoyment came from going out in the streets and playing constantly. That was how I grew to love it.

“Being a Sunderland fan, Thomas Sorensen was one I liked. I remember meeting him at the Charlie Hurley Centre, where we trained. Obviously watching Champions League nights, Peter Schmeichel was another one who I liked. He was an iconic goalkeeper when I was young.”

Mark Hughes gets the boots back on

What a difference a fortnight makes.

On September 14, Mark Hughes (not that one) was on the sidelines for Stoke at Oxford as Steven Schumacher’s assistant head coach. On September 28, the 37-year-old had pulled his boots back on as centre-half and was man of the match as Clitheroe beat league leaders Bootle 5-3 in the Northern Premier League Division One West. He's back in action tonight against City of Liverpool.

Jack Butland saves a penalty

Jack Butland has always been well aware of his record when up against penalties – barring an outstanding shoot-out save to stop Eden Hazard in front of the Boothen End when Stoke beat Chelsea in the League Cup back in 2015/16.

But he came up trumps against Mykola Kukharevych as Rangers beat Joe Bursik’s Hibs 1-0 at Ibrox on Sunday.

Rangers boss Philippe Clement said: “Jack's save was a massive moment. I think Jack was happy as he has been less involved in the last few weeks - it's a good feeling to be important in those moments… Jack hasn't had to make many saves. But when he did, he came up with a massive one and that is a top goalkeeper who keeps his concentration in the big moments.”

Ryan Mmaee missing in action

Ryan Mmaee was signed to solve an injury crisis at Rapid Vienna but pretty much headed straight into the treatment room himself. The 26-year-old striker picked up what has been described as a muscular problem and is yet to feature in a matchday squad for his new club.

Luke Badley-Morgan has missed the last couple of matches for Airdrieonians in the Scottish Championship due to a knock, Dara McGuinness is getting minutes for Leek Town and Nikola Jojic came off the bench for FK Mladost in a 3-1 home defeat to Partizan on Sunday.

Tommy Simkin and Nathan Lowe are having a great start to life on loan at Walsall and are next in action against Charlie Adam’s Fleetwood at home on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Stoke under-21s will take on Oldham Athletic in the National League Cup on Tuesday night too. It’s a 7pm kick-off at Boundary Park.

Stoke City Women hit five

Mille Ravening scored twice as Stoke hammered Barnsley 5-0 in the FA Women’s National League Cup first round. Tamara Wilcock, Shannon Stamps and Delphi Cole were also on the scoresheet as they made it four games unbeaten.

It continues a good run of form for attacking midfielder Ravening, who joined in the summer from Burnley.

“As I said when she signed, it’s my responsibility to get her into the areas of the pitch where she can cause damage,” said head coach Marie Hourihan in an interview for the club website.

“In the last three or four games she has been doing that and the evidence is clear to see with the goals and assists she’s picked up. We just need to keep getting her into those areas because there aren’t many better players in this division than a confident Millie Ravening, so we just need to keep her in that zone.”

Anniversaries this week

September 30, 2006 – 1-1 draw with Preston North End: Lee Hendrie (first league appearance)

October 1 – birthdays: Tony ‘Zico’ Kelly (60), Ian Allinson (67)

October 1, 1988 – 2-1 win over Bournemouth: Peter Beagrie scores one of all-time great goals

October 2 – birthdays: Ray Wallace (55), Terry Conroy (78)

October 3 – birthdays: Richard Forsyth (54), Vincent Pericard (42)

October 4 – birthdays: Ryan Shawcross (37), Steve Foley (62)

October 4, 2003 – 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest: John Halls (first league appearance)

October 5 – birthday: Kenwyne Jones (40)

Ah, that Peter Beagrie wondergoal

October 1, 1988 proved to be a landmark day for Stoke-on-Trent sport.

Hockey-playing Cobridge newsagent Imran Sherwani won an Olympic gold medal in the morning, scoring twice as Great Britain beat West Germany 3-1 in Seoul. Then in the afternoon, 7,486 spectators scattered around the Victoria Ground were treated again.

In the 70th minute, Peter Beagrie picked up the ball inside his own box, slalomed 70 yards up the pitch and smashed in one of the best goals ever seen in the club's history, celebrating with a double backward somersault.

“In 13 years as a professional it was the best goal I have seen,” said teammate Mark Higgins, who made his first league appearance for the club that afternoon. Beagrie, however, reckoned he had scored two better himself for Sheffield United against Hull City a season previously.

Peter Beagrie scored a sensational solo goal for Stoke City against Bournemouth. -Credit:Sentinel
Peter Beagrie scored a sensational solo goal for Stoke City against Bournemouth. -Credit:Sentinel

What do you think? Click HERE to join the debate