Ki-Jana Hoever is being encouraged to keep finding his way into the opposition box after finding his way back onto the scoresheet twice in two matches.
The right-back, on loan from Wolves, forged a reputation for his attacking threat during his time at Stoke in the second half of last year but, after scoring on the opening day of this season, he didn’t net again until last Friday in a 2-0 win at Hull. He followed that up with a beauty to equalise against Huddersfield Town on Monday.
Now he is preparing for a stern test against play-off hopefuls West Bromwich Albion but with the message from his manager to keep getting into dangerous positions.
Steven Schumacher said: “It was a great goal against Huddersfield, a really good finish off his weaker foot. Full-backs are really important in modern football and have to contribute goals or assists and Ki-Jana’s got two in two now, finding himself in the opposition box which is what we want. We want to commit bodies forward and play an attacking type of football and full-backs have got to get up there. I’m pleased for him, he’s been playing well and he deserved his goals.”
Hoever’s two goals have come as he has been reunited with Mehdi Leris, who has returned to the starting XI on the right wing.
Schumacher said: “I think anyone who plays behind Mehdi will do ok because of the work rate he brings and he gives help in situations. And whoever plays alongside or in front of Ki-Jana, they have to work together as a partnership because it’s an important part of the pitch and an important part of how we want to play.
“He’s ok, he’s quite quiet but a really nice kid,” said Schumacher. “He tries, wants to get better, wants to learn, wants to improve. He’s quite a laid back type of personality and I think he’s got loads of potential, it’s just a case of getting both sides of his game together. “Defensively he’s good, I didn’t realise how quick he was probably until we played Leeds and he outpaced (Crysencio) Summerville. Not many people do that.
“He’s quick, he’s got loads of good attributes so he just has to concentrate and be ready to perform in every single game and be consistent because if you want to play in the Premier League that’s what you’ve got to do.”
Such well-taken goals might be key for Stoke but it will help in these final six games if they can find a way to score more goals of any type too.
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