Things have clearly not been going well for Stoke City, and this statistic regarding how long they have been in the lead for this season is frightening.
It is fair to say that things have not gone nearly as well for Stoke City this season as people predicted, and one statistic (courtesy of the South Wales Evening Post) is particularly damning.
Under the tutelage of Mark Hughes, the Potters have struggled immensely with just two points from their opening six league games and no victories to speak of. The pressure is growing with every passing day.
There is perhaps one statistic above all others that best highlights their struggles and can go a long way to explaining their poor form.
Over the course of the season so far – across a total of six league fixtures – the Potters have led for just 17 minutes. That is a staggering statistic, and quite comfortably beats the original subject of the South Wales Evening Post article, Swansea City, who have led for 27 minutes.
On the other end of the scale there is Manchester City, who have led for a mammoth 395 minutes so far this campaign, almost three quarters of the total time they have been playing.
The real story lies with Stoke City though, and the questions persist as to how they are in such a poor position given the quality their side possesses.
Perhaps gelling as a squad is still proving to be a big issue, or maybe the issue simply lies with Hughes and his capabilities as their manager.
Whatever the case, they will desperately be hoping they can end that streak when they travel to Old Trafford this weekend to face Hughes’ former side Manchester United.
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