TheCable

Stoke City forward Osaze Odemwingie has revealed that not being a prolific poacher has made him a better team player.

The Super Eagles player scored 15 goals for Stoke in last season’s Barclays Premier League but he has admitted having to adapt his approach since joining the Potters, and this has improved his game.

“Since joining the club, I feel I have matured and become a better player,” he told the club’s official website.

“It may sound odd, but not scoring as many goals has certainly helped me improve as a team player. I feel fit and ready, so I am looking forward to the new season very much.”

With the arrival of Phil Bardsley, Dionatan Teixeira, Steve Sidwell, Mame Biram Diouf and Bojan Krkic at the Britannia Stadium, the Potters look to build on last season’s ninth-place finish – a club record-breaking campaign.  And along with Diouf and Bojan, the Potters have further attacking options with the Nigerian, Marko Arnautovic, Peter Crouch and Jon Walters all competing for places.

“I’m really looking forward to the new season and I’m happy to be a part of the team again,” Odemwingie said.

“We have signed some strong players that have added to the talent we already have here and I’m looking forward to working with them.”

Odemwingie, who returned to pre-season in the goalless draw against Burton Albion on Saturday after playing in this summer’s World Cup for Nigeria, where he scored the only goal in the victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, is not taking his place in the Stoke first team for granted but he’s looking forward to the healthy competition for places.

“I have to work hard to earn my spot in the side. Without competition, you perhaps don’t work towards the best of your ability.

“The new signings have made the squad stronger and it brings healthy competition into the team.”

Odemwingie was unarguably one of the Potters’ star performers last season – despite only arriving at the Britannia Stadium in January from West Bromwich Albion. Now, he’s looking forward to a better performance from the team.

“Hopefully we can do as well as we did last season. With a stronger squad, things can only get better so we are definitely looking up,” he said.

“With the quality of players we have, I’m positive we can continue our great team spirit and have another good season.”