Shawcross: Stoke must beat Hammers to boost top-half hopes

Ryan Shawcross has labelled Stoke City’s clash with West Ham United this weekend as vital if they are to finish in the top ten of the Premier League for a fourth straight season.

The Potters have finished ninth three years in a row, but are in danger of missing out this year after an underwhelming campaign.

Last weekend saw them slump to a 2-0 defeat at Swansea City, leaving them 11th in the table – just one point off tenth-placed Watford.

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Stoke’s run-in is far from daunting though, with clashes against Bournemouth and Southampton to come after Saturday’s match with West Ham but captain Shawcross believes their fate could be determined by the outcome against the Hammers.

“It’s vital because not only do we have to put our last result right, we are playing a team that is around us in the table,” he said.

“We were disappointed to lose at Swansea because we saw it as a chance to catapult us up the league and hopefully cement a top 10 finish; we have four games to go so hopefully we can do it.

“If we can take three points off West Ham and push ourselves up the table then we put ourselves in good stead for the remaining games of the season.

“A win could be massive at the end of the campaign and it could prove to be three points that sees us end in the top 10 which is what we’re all desperate for.”