Robert Huth demands Stoke sort defence ahead of FA Cup fourth round

The Potters lost 3-1 to Swansea at the weekend

Robert Huth has demanded Stoke's defence quickly return to their miserly best to avoid another heavy defeat at Manchester City in next weekend's FA Cup tie.

The Potters lost 3-1 at Swansea on Saturday, condemning them to a fourth league game without a win, a run which has seen them ship 13 goals.

That is in stark contrast to Stoke's defensive record up to Christmas.

Tony Pulis' side had kept the most clean sheets of any Premier League side with nine and conceded just 13 goals.

At the time only Bayern Munich, Malaga and Juventus had conceded fewer in Europe's major leagues.

While Stoke have not been helped by injuries to first-choice full-backs Andy Wilkinson, Marc Wilson and Ryan Shotton, Huth knows there must be an improvement at the Etihad Stadium if they are to avoid a repeat of their 3-0 loss there in the league.

He said: "I can't put my finger on it. We assess every game and try to cut out our mistakes, and at the moment teams are cutting through us and getting a few more goals than they did.

"We are very disappointed but I can't tell you how or why. But you have to give others credit.

"All three goals came from our possession and to be fair to them they punished us. Hopefully we will not do it next week.

"It is easy to say we are conceding too many goals. But we have to put it right for next week.

"Manchester City are playing some good stuff and they beat us on New Year's Day, so hopefully it will be different next week."

Huth is also hopeful Kenwyne Jones will still be a Stoke player after the close of the January transfer window.

Swansea are interested in signing the Trinidadian and have reportedly had a bid of £3million rejected.

Huth believes the striker would be a great acquisition for the Swans, but would prefer to continue playing alongside him.

The 28-year-old said: "I think the whole club will be delighted if he stays, especially the form he has been in recently. He makes a massive difference for us, and he obviously scores a few goals.

"I would be disappointed if he did go, it would be a great signing for Swansea."

PA