Macari: Boro clash no gimme for struggling Stoke

Former Stoke City manager Lou Macari has warned the Potters that they must be at the top of their game if they are to bounce back from Sunday’s humiliating 4-0 loss at Tottenham and beat Middlesbrough this weekend.

Mark Hughes’ men capitulated in the first half at White Hart Lane, with Harry Kane grabbing a hat-trick and Dele Alli adding a fourth, despite enjoying a two-week break.

And Stoke fans are starting to show their frustrations at the perceived lack of progress this season, highlighted by Hughes’ team selection – which saw the likes of veterans Glenn Whelan, Charlie Adam and Peter Crouch relied upon again.

The Potters have a woeful record against top-half sides this season but sit tenth in the table courtesy of their ability to continually beat those below them.

But Macari says desperate Middlesbrough, who sit 17th in the table, pose a real threat to Stoke this weekend, at the bet365 Stadium.

“I get the impression that plenty of Stoke fans are seeking consolation in the fact that their next game is home to Middlesbrough,” he said.

“It doesn’t look like a bad fixture when you want to bounce back from a 4-0 hiding at Tottenham.

“My only word of warning is that Middlesbrough’s need is far greater than Stoke’s down at the bottom.

“They and Bournemouth are the two teams starting to nosedive at a time when the rest down there are picking up points here and there.

“So Middlesbrough’s players, if they have anything about them, will surely start to pull their finger out sooner or later to try and save their club.”