Stoke Legend Smith: ‘Important Player’ Mikel Key To Potters Promotion Chase

Stoke City legend Dennis Smith believes John Mikel Obi will play a key role in the club’s push for promotion to the Premier League this season, reports Completesports.com.

Mikel linked up with the Potters on a free transfer this summer .

The midfielder has played every minutes of Stoke City’s league games this season and has coped well with the rigours of the Championship.

He put up an outstanding display as 10-man Stoke City held Barnsley to a 2-2 draw
at the Bet365 Stadium on Wednesday.

Read Also: ‘He’s A Big Plus For The Squad’- Stoke City Boss O’Neil Hails Mikel

“You look at the players you’ve got and you look at what system suits. I used a back three at two or three clubs. I prefer a 4-3-3 but it works if you have wide lads doing their jobs,” Smith said.

“We’ve looked solid and what I’m delighted with is the two centre-backs coming in and playing so well, usually with an experienced defender alongside them, which helps.

“Mikel was outstanding in front of them as well against Barnsley. It’s how quickly he sees the pass, how quickly he moves the ball. I’m always just going, ‘Well done’ when he’s on the screen. It might be things a lot of people don’t see. You see people doing step-overs and drag backs up the field. You don’t see the person playing in the holding role who played the first pass or won the ball.”