Stoke 'will be better against Chelsea', vows Mark Hughes following 'unacceptable' display in Carabao Cup defeat at the hands of Bristol City

Stoke manager Mark Hughes wants a reaction from his players against Chelsea on Saturday following their Carabao Cup defeat to Bristol City.

Hughes described his side's performance at Ashton Gate as 'poor' as a strong team containing the likes of Kurt Zouma, Bruno Martins Indi, Darren Fletcher and Peter Crouch were beaten 2-0 by the Championship club.


Stoke resume Premier League action against the champions at the bet365 Stadium at the weekend and Hughes is confident of an improved display.

Mark Hughes demanded and promised improvement from his team after losing to Bristol City

Mark Hughes demanded and promised improvement from his team after losing to Bristol City

Manager Hughes was very unimpressed as Stoke exited the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night

Manager Hughes was very unimpressed as Stoke exited the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night

Stoke played many of their senior stars, including Darren Fletcher (above), but they were poor

Stoke played many of their senior stars, including Darren Fletcher (above), but they were poor

'I know we will be better against Chelsea on Saturday, but that isn't much consolation at the moment,' he told the club's official website.

'We need a reaction. That's what we will drill into the players going into the Chelsea game because that was unacceptable.'

Hughes will hope captain Ryan Shawcross returns to training before the end of the week to prove his fitness as on-loan defender Zouma is ineligible against Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Bristol City assistant head coach Dean Holden hopes Manchester United can get past Burton on Wednesday night as he is eyeing a trip to Old Trafford to face the holders in the next round.

'I said for the last one Manchester United away would be nice, but they might not get through. They've got Burton and they might not beat them so...' Holden told the Bristol Post.

'I don't think the lads are too concerned who we get. I'm sure they've all got their own little ones that they want to have themselves, but we'll take whoever. It sounds churlish but whoever we get we'll fancy our chances.'

The Potters fell behind early in the second half when Famara Diedhiou broke the deadlock

The Potters fell behind early in the second half when Famara Diedhiou broke the deadlock

It was 2-0 on 60 minutes as Matt Taylor fired a low left-foot shot beyond goalkeeper Lee Grant

It was 2-0 on 60 minutes as Matt Taylor fired a low left-foot shot beyond goalkeeper Lee Grant

Next up for Stoke is Chelsea at home on Saturday. Hughes said: 'I know we will be better'

Next up for Stoke is Chelsea at home on Saturday. Hughes said: 'I know we will be better'