Advanced role behind goal run, says Allen

Stoke City v Swansea City

Joe Allen has said a move up the pitch has meant he goes into Stoke City’s match with Swansea City on Monday night looking for a fifth goal in five matches and for the first time in one season.

The Stoke midfielder had scored for three matches in a row until the 2-0 victory over Hull City last weekend, but he put his unprecedented run to a change in tactics by Mark Hughes, the manager.

“I’ve been given a more advanced role in the last few games and naturally you’re going to find yourself popping up in goal-scoring areas,” Allen told stokecityfc.com. “My position is the main reason, but we have some very creative players in the team who are providing those opportunities for me." 

One man looking to stop Allen will be Swansea defender Alfie Mawson, who has impressed his new manager, Bob Bradley, who handed him his debut in the goalless draw with Watford last weekend.

“He has great presence; he goes on the field with confidence,” Bradley told swanseacity.net. “He reminds me of Jay DeMerit, who played for Watford and with the US. No matter who we were up against ... whether it was Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] or Wayne Rooney, it didn’t matter. He was excited by the challenge.” 

 See: Talking Tactics: Stoke v Swansea