Hughes calm over playing style

Mark Hughes believes it will take time to change Stoke City’s style of play.

The former QPR boss replaced Tony Pulis at the Britannia Stadium in May and wants his charges to adopt a more attacking brand of football.

Pulis’ Stoke were renowned for their long-ball tactics, which were largely responsible for securing their Premier League safety for five seasons running.

Hughes is eager to try a different approach but has urged fans to be patient and not to expect major changes overnight.

“I’ve got good players, and I wouldn’t ask them to do anything I don’t feel they are capable of doing,” Hughes told BBC Radio Stoke.

“It will take time – on occasions we’ll make mistakes and you have to accept that, but if we want to play in a certain way that’s what we have to do.

“You can see the guys are trying to implement what we’ve given to them. It’s not easy, but I’ve been pleased with how they’ve applied themselves.”

He also confirmed that, for the time being, Marc Muniesa and Erik Pieters will remain his only signings at the club.

Hughes admitted that it could be a case of waiting until the final day of the transfer window before making any further additions to his squad.

“It’s a little bit quiet at the moment, but we have to be patient,” he added.

“Ideally you want them (new players) in the building before the first game of the season to have the opportunity to play and train with them.

“But if it doesn’t happen then you have to be patient. I’ve done good business in the last minute of windows, so if we have to wait long to get the right quality of player in, then so be it.”