Hughes: Stoke fans need to give Berahino time

Stoke City fans need to be patient with misfiring striker Saido Berahino, according to Mark Hughes – who insists the forward can only be judged next season.

The Potters snapped up the highly-rated Berahino from West Brom in January, but the 23-year-old is yet to find the net in nine Potters appearances.

Stoke have struggled in recent weeks, scoring just twice in their last five games as they drift towards a relegation scrap.

Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images

And fans have taken their frustrations out on Berahino, a symbol of Hughes’ broken regime which has attracted much criticism this season.

But the manager remains calm ahead of Saturday’s match against Hull and has full faith that Berahino will come good for the Potters.

“Next season is when we feel Saido will have the maximum impact,” said Hughes.

“He hasn’t played a lot of football and is still getting up to speed, it’s fair to say.

“But these games between now and the end of the season will be invaluable in terms of him understanding what we are about and what he needs to do.

“We want to get him scoring and get him off and running – that will be good for him. Then we’ll see a marked difference next season in terms of his impact.”