Watford v Stoke preview: Potters under pressure after defensive re-reinforcement.

The signings of Kurt Zouma and Kevin Wimmer looked a solid pairing to help shore up Stoke City's often porous backline in the summer, but nine games in to the Premier League season and things aren't looking great at either end of the field for the Potters.
Stoke have shipped 20 goals - more than Crystal Palace - and scored only five, putting them outside the relegation zone on goal difference.

If that weren't bad enough, a 7-2 humiliation at Manchester City a fortnight ago was one of Stoke's worst defeats since they joined the Premier League.Mark Hughes has been in charge for more than four years now, and has cemented Stoke as a solid mid-table side, while wiping away the reputation of route-one football that dogged them under Tony Pulis.
However, a slow start to last season had the vultures looming and they're back after the way they have begun this one. Stoke chairman Peter Coates essentially gave the Welshman the dreaded vote of confidence in the week, and it's not out of the question that defeat this afternoon could be curtains for the ex-Man United striker.

Wimmer, Zouma and ex-Real Madrid man Jese were meant to improve the squad but it hasn't happened yet - and there was little reaction to that defeat at Manchester City evident in a turgid 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth last time out.
Organisation is a key word which needs to improve, and Hughes' penchant for playing three centre-backs has not delivered much in the way of results, despite a draw with Manchester United and a win over Arsenal this season.