Stoke City: Mark Hughes patient over changing style

New Stoke manager Mark Hughes has called for patience as he tries to alter their style of football.

Hughes, 49, replaced Tony Pulis as Potters manager in May.

Under Pulis, Stoke drew criticism for their style of football from Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who accused them of playing like a rugby team.

"It will take time - on occasions we'll make mistakes but if we want to play in a certain way that's what we have to do," Hughes told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I've got good players, and I wouldn't ask them to do anything I don't feel they are capable of doing."

Hughes praised his players for the way in which they have handled his attempts to change the way they play.

"You can see the guys are trying to implement what we've given to them," he said. "It's not easy, but I've been pleased with how they've applied themselves."

In preparation for the new Premier League season, Hughes has brought in only two players this summer, Erik Pieters from PSV and fellow defender Marc Muniesa from Barcelona.

And the former Manchester City and QPR boss admits that there is little transfer activity going on behind the scenes.

"It's a little bit quiet at the moment, but we have to be patient," he said.

"Ideally you want them [new players] in the building before the first game of the season to have the opportunity to play and train with them.

"But if it doesn't happen then you have to be patient. I've done good business in the last minute of windows, so if we have to wait long to get the right quality of player in, then so be it."