Hughes rested players ahead of vital Newcastle game
Stoke City boss Mark Hughes admitted he selected his team at Chelsea with one eye on his side’s crucial game against fellow strugglers Newcastle on Monday.
Former Chelsea man Hughes made six changes for the match at Stamford Bridge, where the Potters were thrashed 5-0.
Youngsters Josh Tymon and Tom Edwards were included and Stoke were well beaten, but Hughes expects to have the likes of Joe Allen, Xherdan Shaqiri, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and possibly Eric Pieters back for the Newcastle game.
“We were stretched. What we had defensively was what you saw,” said Hughes.
“We had two young lads playing at a level way above where they’ve been playing in recent years.
“It was always going to be difficult for us. We knew we’d be stretched playing the reigning champions. I knew they had the quality to hurt us even with our best available 11.
“I made decisions I feel will help us with the game we have on Monday. We rested players carrying knocks who will be fresh and ready to go.
“The decisions I made weren’t easy but they were decisions I was prepared to make. It’s about getting the win against Newcastle now.”
