On Tuesday, Stoke City for just the third time this season grabbed all three points at home after beating Luton Town 2-0. Additionally to Stoke City grabbing a rare win at home this season, it was also only the second time this season The Potters held a clean sheet at Bet365 Stadium.
So what was the big difference for Stoke City against Luton Town? Did the club’s starting XI this last time around lead to more success? Can the team take the success they had Tuesday into future matches?
The answer to all of those questions is emphatically yes. Here are the three big takeaways from Tuesday’s win and how Stoke City were able to find success at home…
Three Key Takeaways From Stoke’s Luton Win
1. The Harry Souttar/Added Size Effect:
In recent matches, Stoke City have looked okay defensively, but far from a finished product. The biggest deficiency for The Potters has been a true defensive presence in front of goal. Well, enter Harry Souttar from an 11 month layoff due to injury to solve those problems.
Souttar was fantastic against Luton Town on Tuesday. On the day, Souttar finished with 6 of 7 aerial duels won, 3 of 3 ground duels won, three tackles, two interceptions, and 16 clearances. The only negative stat on the day for Souttar was his 19.0% passing accuracy.
However, considering this was Souttar’s first match back with the first team since his knee injury last year, Souttar will be given a pass on his link-up play. The important thing was Souttar’s defensive impact.
Souttar, who stands at 6’6, positioned himself directly center in the 6-yard box for most of the match. This can be seen per Sofascore’s heat map for Souttar. Harry Souttar used his size and strength for a lot of the match to dictate play in front of goal.
Whether it be clearing out crosses, making needed tackles, or winning aerials in the box, Souttar made an immediate impact. Even on balls that Souttar misjudged in the box due to rustiness, Souttar’s size still screened far post crosses from opposing defenders.
2. Tariqe Fosu at Wing-Back Needs to Be Thing More Often Than Not
Fosu this season has seen time at wing-back and at forward as well. At both positions this season, Fosu, who is an attacking minded player, has looked good going forward in both.
So undoubtedly, Fosu will still see time this season at both moving forward. But, it would be in Neil’s best interest in the future to continue to give Fosu his majority of minutes at wing-back.
The simple reason being, if you play Fosu upfront, you take away a spot from other forwards on the club. And if you play Fosu at wing-back, you essentially are starting four forwards without moving into a 4-2-4 or a formation similar to that one.
The proof in the pudding was there on Tuesday. Fosu at wing-back allowed Neil to start three forwards up front and still get Fosu into his starting XI. Plus, Fosu has shown this season that he isn’t a terrible defender. Fosu can hold his own when needed out of possession.
With other left wing-backs on the club like Josh Tymon, it’ll be tough for Neil to start Fosu every game at wing-back. But when Fosu does get a start, his default starting position should come at wing-back more often than not.
3. 3-4-1-2 Formation Best Suits Stoke City As of Right Now
Stoke City will continue to line-up in different formations based on opponents from match to match. But it’s becoming clearer every game that based off of the team’s personnel right now, a 3-4-1-2 is the club’s best formation.
Now, that could change depending on who Neil brings in during the winter transfer window. Right now though, Stoke City have who they have and should continue to line-up how they did against Luton Town.
A 3-4-1-2 formation really gives Stoke City the width and midfield narrowness that they need to build-up in attack and stay strong defensively. The formation also allows Stoke City to utilize players like Tymon, Fosu, Sterling, and Clarke at wing-back, while also allowing Dwight Gayle and Nick Powell to start in a number 10 role.
Powell and Gayle playing behind Liam Delap, Tyrese Campbell, and Jacob Brown has been the team’s best creative setup in recent weeks. Most of that reason being because of how good Powell and Gayle are at linking up play with their fellow forwards.
As for the other side of the ball defensively, Stoke City’s back three setup is also how the team was built in recent seasons personnel wise. Players like Harry Souttar, Phil Jagielka, Ben Wilmot, and Morgan Fox are best suited when they can sit back and not be needed to carry the ball forward.
Bottomline, Stoke City have been at their best on both sides of the ball, when operating like they did against Luton Town in a 3-4-1-2.