Martins Indi hails Shawcross Stoke partnership

Stoke City’s defensive record may have been disappointing in 2016, but centre-back Bruno Martins Indi believes he and Ryan Shawcross have finally restored the club’s reputation as one of the meanest in the top flight.

Stoke conceded four goals in a match on eight separate occasions last year, with the likes of Marc Muniesa, Philipp Wollscheid and Geoff Cameron all failing to settle alongside skipper Shawcross.

Manager Hughes acted by signing Martins Indi last August and the Dutch international has impressed, leading to suggestions the club will make his loan move permanent.

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And Martins Indi believes his partnership with Shawcross has blossomed, as the Potters eye a fourth consecutive top-half finish.

“When I came here, we were in a difficult period defensively but we have grown and become more stable and now we are on a good run of form,” he said.

“I’m a different person compared to Ryan, he has his qualities and I have mine, but it fits really well together and I think we’re seeing that out on the pitch.

“In the beginning we had a lot of goals against us, so during training and outside on a professional level I built a connection with him because I joined without having a pre-season to build that relationship.

“It was hard for me in that respect to start with, but when you keep a positive mind – even when results are bad – and with the help of your teammates, it’s easy to have a good bond with Ryan.”