Stoke City get it right with Nathan Jones appointment

Nothing is guaranteed when it comes to managerial appointments but Stoke have given themselves the best possible chance of improvement after replacing Gary Rowett with Nathan Jones from Luton.

Jones, a deeply intense and religious man, was given a surprisingly lukewarm reception by a section of the Potters' fanbase, although he won't lack for self-belief which will be important should the bet365 Stadium natives get restless early on in his tenure.

He will need time to sort a squad that has been poorly put together, firstly by Mark Hughes and then in the summer by Rowett, who made a total mess of trying to get City out of the Sky Bet Championship following last season's relegation.

Between those two managers was Paul Lambert, another supposed safety-first appointment by Stoke that flopped badly, but this is bold, this is different and it could well be shrewd.

While Stoke struggled, Jones was creating something special at Kenilworth Road. Luton missed out in the League Two playoffs the season before last, gained automatic promotion last season and are now riding high in second spot in League One.

Goal difference is usually an excellent guide to a team's strength, or otherwise, and last season Luton finished on plus 48 (18 superior to the next best), while this term they boast a divisional-high plus 25.

Jones started his playing career in Welsh non-league football, although the style of play he has adopted is more Mediterranean than Merthyr Tydfil.

Time spent in Spain at Numancia and Badajoz seems to have shaped his outlook and Luton have been playing some of the most attractive football in England as Jones loyally stuck to a midfield diamond which sparkled in the Hatters' current 13-match unbeaten league run.

Nothing is guaranteed but Jones could well be a diamond for Stoke.

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