Stoke & Staffordshire

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  6. 'That was a night to forget'

    Mark Elliott
    Stoke City commentator for BBC Radio Stoke

    Tomas Rigo of Stoke CityRex Features

    Millwall on a Tuesday night is a tough assignment but having made four changes from the side that beat Wrexham at the weekend, Mark Robins was disappointed with his team's performance in response to the challenge of the Lions.

    Stoke started both halves well enough but both times things unravelled as Robins blamed poor decision-making for their lack of any meaningful success in the game.

    "Nine times out of 10" the manager said players in red and white made the wrong choice when faced with an in-game decision.

    Midfielder Tomas Rigo (pictured) also spoke about composure, particularly in attack, when asked what needs to improve for Stoke to score more goals and win games like this. He spoke about calmness, patience and making the right choices, echoing his manager.

    Defensively, the mistakes made for both goals went against the grain of the season so far but it's not the first time decision-making in possession has been blamed as a major reason for dropped points.

    Stoke lost too many duels against a physical side too, something we have not seen since defeat at QPR earlier in the season.

    All will be forgotten with a good result at Portsmouth on Saturday but the biggest positive may be that what Stoke need to improve upon to win another away game at an atmospheric, rowdy ground is clear.

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  9. 'A really, really disappointing evening'

    Stoke City manager Mark Robins, speaking to BBC Radio Stoke after Tuesday's 2-0 loss at Millwall:

    "We were poor. This was our first big, big test I felt and we failed it. I'm disappointed but we have to lick our wounds and get on with it.

    "We conceded two really poor goals. We kept chasing our game; we couldn't find it. People would start to do things that were a bit alien to them.

    "We just didn't give ourselves a chance in the game after the first 10 minutes.

    "We've lost a high percentage of the duels today and they've come out on top which isn't a surprise. If they'd been better in front of goal we'd have lost by a bigger margin. It was a really, really disappointing evening.

    "If we think we're a top two team, we are miles away from that and that's evidenced tonight."

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  12. George Byers makes a run during a match for Port Vale

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  16. 'It feels like a family here' - Stoke's Phillips

    Ashley Phillips says playing for Stoke City "feels like home"

    Stoke City defender Ashley Phillips admits he has had to be patient for game time this season, but says he feels at home with the club.

    The Potters are currently third in the Championship and face an away trip against Millwall on Tuesday night (19:45 BST).

    He told BBC Radio Stoke: "I didn't get a single minute in pre-season so it has been about getting up to speed so far, but when you are in the side it's about staying in.

    "I have had to be patient but the competition has been great and we are all pushing each other which has helped us end up being as high up as we are.

    "It feels like a family, it feels like home for everyone. Everybody is pushing each other and we hold each other accountable, which is what you need to be high up in the league."

    Mark Robins' side hold the best defensive record in the league so far, with only six goals conceded in their opening 10 games.

    "It is brilliant news to have the record, it means that we are doing our jobs and clean sheets win games," said Phillips.

    "We have to take one game at a time as in the Championship anyone can beat anyone on their day, so we have to be humble."

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  20. EFL match ball

  21. A National League football on a grass pitch

  22. Stoke City manager Mark Robins celebrates in front of the club's fans after beating Portsmouth

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