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Southampton: Stoke City’s Diouf cautious of Saints threat

By Chris Hughes

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 09: Mame Biram Diouf of Stoke City and Paul Pogba of Manchester United leave the pitch during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Manchester United at Bet365 Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 09: Mame Biram Diouf of Stoke City and Paul Pogba of Manchester United leave the pitch during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Manchester United at Bet365 Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /
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Ahead of this weekend’s clash with Southampton, Mame Diouf has made it clear that his Stoke side aren’t expecting an easy game this Saturday.

Despite potentially being without as many as four first-team centre-backs, Stoke City will go into the game with Southampton hoping to improve on what has been a fairly average start to the season.

Mark Hughes’ side have won just once so far this season but that was over Arsenal – they’ve also picked up points against Manchester United, Southampton’s most recent opponents.

But despite facing several of the league’s top teams already in what has been a tough start the campaign, Stoke’s Mame Diouf is cautious of the threat that Southampton can pose:

"“People may look at this fixture with Southampton and think Stoke are at home, they will win that one, but football doesn’t work like that.”"

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 23: Will Norris of Wolverhampton Wanderers saves from Manolo Gabbiadini of Southampton during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at St Mary’s Stadium on August 23, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 23: Will Norris of Wolverhampton Wanderers saves from Manolo Gabbiadini of Southampton during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at St Mary’s Stadium on August 23, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

The former-Manchester United striker has played more as a right-wing-back this season, to make use of his good work-rate and impressive pace.

He’ll likely go up against Nathan Redmond this Saturday, who will looking to finally open his account for the season after over 20 shots on goal so far in the Premier League without one.

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Stoke’s make-shift defence will provide the perfect opportunity for the young winger to boost his confidence by finding the back of the net.

"“You can take nothing for granted, there is no such thing as an easy game at this level.“We beat Arsenal, we drew with Manchester United and then we lost to Newcastle United, when everybody thought we would win.“They played with real heart against us, they performed well and they beat us – that is what football is all about – I don’t think favourites really make a difference, it is down to who is better on the day.” – Diouf"

Mark Hughes’ side go into the match off the back of a 4-0 loss to Chelsea this past weekend, a game in which Alvaro Morata bagged an impressive hattrick.

Mauricio Pellegrino will hope this can play into his side’s hands, having scored just twice from open play all season. Shane Long, Nathan Redmond and Sofiane Boufal are all still looking to open their accounts for the season, whilst no Saints player has scored more than once.

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