Stoke boss Mark Hughes pleased with point at Middlesbrough
Saturday 13 August 2016 22:28, UK
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes was pleased with his side's start to the season after Xherdan Shaqiri's second-half free-kick sealed a 1-1 draw at newly-promoted Middlesbrough.
Stoke found themselves a goal behind in the 11th minute thanks to Alvaro Negredo's header but they fought back through Shaqiri's strike and Hughes was full of praise for the Switzerland international.
"Xherdan Shaqiri's a good player," Hughes told Sky Sports.
"He's got good quality when he puts a delivery into the box and it was a great strike. It was important we scored at that point because we were really dominant and we deserved a goal for our efforts.
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"It was a shame we couldn't get the second but overall it was a pleasing performance. For a first attempt in the new season we did okay and it's clear that on the day we were the better side in terms of control of the game.
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"We will get better as the season progresses but for a start a point away from home to a newly-promoted team, we have to be pleased with it."
There was no place in the starting XI for £13m signing Joe Allen but Hughes insists the Wales midfielder will get plenty of games at Stoke as the season progresses.
"Joe's going to be a big player for us for many years to come and that's why I've brought him to the club," Hughes added.
"In pre-season we've done okay and Joe came into the group a little bit later so he just has to bide his time. But he knows he will play games."
Finally, Hughes declared there could be more signings at the Bet365 Stadium with Stoke still open for business in the final few weeks of the transfer window
"We're in the mix like everyone else is," Hughes said. "There's a few weeks left so I'm sure there will be some business done but we'll have to be patient.
"It's been difficult. Some deals get done very quickly but others take too much time it seems, but we're still there.
"The window hasn't closed yet so we're still open for business."
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