Yahoo News Stoke City boss playing long game as he gets to grips with crowded midfield ahead of transfer deadline
This was one of the last press conferences that Steven Schumacher will do before the transfer window closes and he was still mentioned ‘ins and outs’ more often than if he was singing the hokey cokey.
Stoke, like pretty much every Championship club, are still hoping to do some of their most important business of the summer in whatever time there is left.
There are areas where everyone knows Stoke need to add depth – at centre-half and at centre-forward – but it’s that big department in the middle that is still one to watch. What decisions are Stoke going to make in midfield? Who will come in? Who will go out? And what will be the make-up in the starting XI by the end of it?
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The thinking is clearly not just for the match at Plymouth Argyle on August 31, 16 hours after deadline, but for the weeks and months and 42 matches – and perhaps even a season or two, too – beyond that.
As it stands there is Jordan Thompson, Ben Pearson, Wouter Burger, Josh Laurent, Lewis Baker, Daniel Johnson, Andrew Moran, Sol Sidibe and Bosun Lawal on the squad list in Steven Schumacher’s office, but they might have to find room for Tatsuki Seko as well and Luke Cundle hasn’t gone anywhere from Wolves.
Lots of spinning plates for Schumacher to consider when he was asked in his pre-West Bromwich Albion press conference if he had a clear plan in his head.
“I think we had quite a settled midfield three at the back end of last season,” he said. “We’ve tried a few different options this year and like with all managers there will be changes as the season goes on. People will come into form, injuries will occur. I would expect a few ins and outs, comings and goings over the next few days which might affect that again.
“We’ve got some good players in midfield and I’m confident whatever balance we pick, whatever tactics we’re going for, we’ve got people who can do a good job. Having a squad that gives you those variations and options is a bonus.”
Watch this space then.
This is Stoke’s second home game of a pretty gruelling start to the season in terms of travel. Trips to Carlisle, Watford, Middlesbrough, Oxford, Middlesbrough again and Swansea in the first two months. Thanks a lot, football gods.
At least it still pales next to Schumacher’s experience at his previous club. In his first week there he had a mid-week game at MK Dons followed by a weekend match at Sunderland.
But this weekend Stoke are back at home and it should be a decent crowd and hopefully similar noise levels to opening day and that win over Coventry.
Schumacher said: “It was a great atmosphere against Coventry and, as I said after that game, the fans really helped us. I expect something similar this weekend. My experience of this game last season was a good one. We found ourselves two goals behind and managed to come back with the help of our fans to get a point so we need the fans to play their part at the weekend and hopefully the team can do their bit and get us the result we want.”
