The landlord here at the Transfer Tavern hasn’t been surprised nor shocked by the way Stoke have gone about their campaign this season, as they seem to be slowly drifting towards their regular ninth place finish…

The Potters have been rather unfortunate with injuries to key players this season, namely their shot-stopper Jack Butland. However, the former Derby keeper Lee Grant really stepped up and has been vital for the club this season, which can’t be said for some of the lads in their side.

Stoke have a strange mix of some class players and some just regular joes who have actually jelled to make a solid team under manager Mark Hughes over the past few seasons.

However, some of their bigger players just haven’t been putting in the work they should be to help their side, which has already seen Bojan depart for a loan spell in the Bundesliga with Mainz.

With that in mind, these 3 Stoke City players seriously need prove their worth between now and the end of the season…

IBRAHIM AFFELAY

The former Barca and PSV man has had a very stalled career due to injuries and it’s been that way in his time with Stoke.

At times he has been unplayable but he has spent far too long on the shelf during his time at the Bet365 stadium.

He really needs to use the final stages of this season to prove he is worth the clubs money in wages to keep him in the setup. Otherwise, Hughes could look to move him on.

MAME BIRAM DIOUF

The big Senegalese striker made an instant impact when he arrived at the club a couple of years back from Hannover, but has since become very inconsistent and unreliable at times for the Potters.

With Walters getting goals more regularly, he really needs to step up his game and prove to Hughes that he is worth keeping at the club next season.

MARC MUNIESA

Another former Barca man in the Stoke set up and another Champions League winner too!

But the Spanish centre-back isn’t a regular at Stoke and he needs to try and cement a place in the Potters back line to prove his worth to the club.

When he features he tends to be consistent and does a job, but for some reason, he doesn’t play too regularly.

There is clearly a reason for that, so he must look towards Hughes and impress as he season heats up.