STOKE legend Alan Hudson is confident that the club’s summer transfer business will cushion the blow of losing Asmir Begovic and Steven Nzonzi.

He also believes that Glen Johnson can enjoy a second wind at the Britannia – and is sure Mark Hughes is almost a Fergie in disguise nowadays.

“I think Hughes, like Tony Pulis did, has improved them slowly, but in a very positive way,” said Hudson.

“As Frank Sinatra said, ‘My Way.’ They actually outplay their opponents now, but still have the Pulis mentality when not in possession

“They have lost the goalkeeper that may have kept them in the Premier League for the first three seasons, but in Shay Given they now have one who kept Newcastle in it for almost 10.

“His ability remains intact and of course his experience is vital, therefore a great signing.

“Glen Johnson is a player that Pulis would not have bought because he is very busy attacking. I like that because the more flair players you have in the opposition half the better.

“He has not only been influential for Liverpool, but he was England’s best attacking player over the last five years and was their best player in the last World Cup … although they were that bad I think I could have been and I’ve been disabled for 18 years.”

He thinks Hughes now has enough attacking flair to win the quota of games needed to sustain Stoke’s ninth finish in their last two campaigns – at the very least.

“Marco van Ginkel has come on loan from Chelsea,” he continued, “and he only has to show anything like his best. Along with the return of Bojan, the top four might not be so fantastic and impossible any more. Bojan is quality and Stoke fans know from years gone by that they have been starved of that.

“But now Hughes is seemingly becoming a very astute manager, finally becoming an Alex Ferguson copycat, which won’t be too bad for the future, would it?

“I must say I don’t know much about Afellay, but judging by the other signings, he is quality. Add that to an improving Glenn Whelan and Charlie Adam and Stephen Ireland, the future in the middle of the field looks only bright.”

ALAN Hudson is inviting fans to join him at The Birches Head public house in Birches Head on Friday August 7 (7pm) for one of his popular Q & A’s. Tickets £10.
Read more: http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Alan-Hudson-likes-look-Mark-Fergie/story-27500972-detail/story.html#ixzz3hH8CZGYo

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