Good morning everyone,
Following the disappointing result against Everton last weekend we have a good week of training and are optimistic heading into the game at London Stadium today.
We know that Stoke have been on a good run of form and although they will be missing Marko Arnautovic through suspension, they still have a number of good players and we will have to be at our best to stop them.
One of those threats could come from Wilfried Bony who got on the scoresheet against Swansea on Monday night.
Wilfried is strong. He's a goalscorer, he can hold the ball, pass the ball and he's not afraid to be in the box. He is very sharp and a good finisher. He's scored a couple now, easy goals but that's what goal scorers are all about.
I will have to change the team as Winston Reid is ruled out through suspension.
Winston has been excellent and been on top form, but we have a couple of players who can play in his place and it is going to be crucial that who ever I put there puts in a good performance.
Winston has also sustained a grade one hamstring injury, but hopefully he is going to be okay for the Spurs game which is our intention.
I was also asked about the return of Diafra Sakho in the pre-match press conference.
Diafra has trained with the first-team this week and has been good. We have to be careful, because he didn't play or train with the team since the start of July, and now it's November.
But it looks good. He's naturally fit, he's very motivated, he's trained with the U23s and now with us. It's also the international break coming up which would make him proper ready.
If he is not available for the Stoke game and everything goes to plan then it will be for the Spurs game.
I have also been asked about Ashley Fletcher and does he deserve a start in the team?
Very few people expected him to play a part in the Premier League this year. He's involved in the games, in Europe, the Cup and in the Premier League.
He's there, he's progressing. Is he going to start? That's a question. But when we think about the team he is there.
Simone Zaza has also been training well and is trying his best. Like any other player they have to work hard to get a chance to play. With dedication the goals will come and that's how he is at the moment.
I played against Mark Hughes when he was at Chelsea and I was at West Ham. Mark was a top top player. He was strong and never afraid of anything. A proper player.
There were certain players who I used to play against and if you kicked them a little bit they would move away.
But Hughes was the other way around. If you kicked him, he would come back and kick you a little bit harder!
I am looking forward to coming up against him today and hope we can secure another big three points at London Stadium before we head into the international break.
Enjoy the game.
Slaven