Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has said that a new style of play has lifted the club to the "next level".

The Potters were known as a physical team who played direct football under former manager Tony Pulis, but Hughes has introduced a new passing-based game since his arrival two years ago.

Last season Stoke recorded their first ever top-half finish, and are on course to match that this year.

Hughes told reporters: "I thought maybe we needed to change and play in a different way if we wanted to go to the next level.

"There's a way of playing that will get you in the Premier League and keep you in the Premier League but if you want to go a little bit higher you have to change and try something a little bit different. That's what we've done and for the most part it's worked."

Stoke beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 last weekend.

Written by
Charlie Bennett