MARK Hughes loves playing the amateur psychologist before taking the plunge and signing so-called ‘problem players’ like Marko Arnautovic and Peter Odemwingie.

The pair are prospering in the midst of a superb run of form and results which have seen Stoke streak clear of any relegation trouble ahead of today’s home game with Hull (3pm).

Hughes says he doesn’t just study prospective signings as players, but also gets to know them in one-to-ones before offering them a contract.

That’s why he flew to Germany to meet with Arnautovic and his family before signing him at the start of the season from Werder Bremen.

“First of all,” he revealed, “I look at players’ ability to see if they can bring something to the party.

“But the best thing to do is sit in front of people. I think you need to speak to them and get an inkling and understanding of where they’ve had problems in the past and then make a judgement.”

And it was almost love at first sight with Arnautovic.

“I like him as a guy. He was different, obviously, but he had a personality and a character,” he explained.

“He was a guy who you felt needed to show people what he could do.

“You give them work on a daily basis and he can thrive because of that, and that improves your confidence and performance.

“Marko is a very good trainer and is always trying to improve his technical ability. The key is to keep the training varied and to maintain stimulation.

“The key thing for Marko is he’s got to grips with the Premier League and knows what he’s got to do to make an impact.

“He’s only 24 and still a young player learning the game in a new environment and a new league, so he’s done well to make the impact he has.”

Hughes says he has never shied away from the challenge of troubled reputations during a managerial career, which has included the likes of Robinho and Craig Bellamy.

“Some players are possibly more difficult,” Hughes acknowledged. “I think it’s important to focus on them as individuals and why they’ve had problems in the past.

“Then you focus on getting the best out of them and give them the opportunity to show people what they can do.”

He denies such players have been a problem, insisting: “Sometimes that has been more frustration in the past because they’ve known they’ve got ability, but haven’t been able to show people.

“Maybe the way we train and the environment here helps them to concentrate on playing football.”

Hughes says he never gave up hope of signing Odemwingie after missing out to Cardiff last summer before January’s swap deal with Kenwyne Jones.

“If you miss out on a player,” he said, “then in the back of your mind you look and see how they are doing and think that maybe in the future you may be able to bring him to the club.

“I didn’t anticipate we could get him in so quickly, but we are grateful we have because he’s made an immediate impact.

“But we shouldn’t be surprised by that because he understands the Premier League and scored goals in the Premier League.”

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