Stoke & Staffordshire

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  1. 'We've got to be better - but we will be'

    Stoke City boss Mark Robins during their game against Leeds UnitedGetty Images

    Stoke City boss Mark Robins says he is expecting a "better" performance from his side against third-placed Sheffield United after Monday's 6-0 drubbing against Leeds.

    The heavy defeat has left the Potters just four points outside the relegation zone but a win on Friday evening (20:00 BST) against the Blades would guarantee them safety.

    "We've got to be better than we were on Monday to get anything from any game - but we will be," Robins told BBC Radio Stoke.

    "That's been the focus at the end of a game, quickly move on from a game you can no longer do anything about.

    "It's at home, it's different. It's our final game at home this season and the support I'm sure will be really vocal, right behind us until the last, so we want to reciprocate."

    While the loss to Leeds was a disappointing afternoon for the visiting fans, there was some brighter news in the return of club captain Ben Gibson.

    The defender played his first 45 minutes since the 2-0 loss to Bristol City in February.

    "It's good to have him around it again and in a headspace where he feels he can contribute," Robins added.

    "You need everybody fit and available. He's the club captain so he plays a part in the dressing room as well as on the pitch."

  2. Crewe Alexandra manager Lee Bell watches on from the touchline

  3. Two paramedics are inside an ambulance, with one blurred out further inside the vehicle. They have green uniforms on with "ambulance" written on the back.

  4. A woman with blonde hair standing in the street, in front of a shop with green doors, wearing a large grey coat and a blue scarf.

  5. A close-up photograph of a woman holding a single-use vape. She is wearing a patterned jacket and has rings on her finger and thumb.

  6. Scaffolding on the front of a cream-coloured pub building. The scaffolding covers a mural, and a person wearing a high visibility jacket can be seen working to one side of the structure.

  7. A white and brown brick building sits in the background. A courtyard is in the foreground with a flag pole in the centre, a green patch of grass to the right, and to the left, a circular brick building, cut in half. Benches with roses line the middle and two people can be seen walking along the courtyard.

  8. A photo of a large white banner with black text, reading "polling station" above two arrows pointing right, pinned to a brick wall and large bush.

  9. A large circular red brick building with a flat roof and the words The Redwoods Centre on the wall

  10. Port Vale boss Darren Moore holds his collar as he stands on the touchline.

  11. A black woman smiles at the camera, wearing a gold crown and pink dress. She has long black hair past her shoulders.

  12. A black and white image of a woman with long brown hair and a fringe. She is wearing a leather jacket, black top and a necklace, and is smiling at the camera.

  13. A young man with his arm in a black sling running around a track. He is wearing yellow trainers and a white long-sleeve top.

  14. A grey and white rabbit sits next to a white rabbit with a brown circle spot on its nose. Both are sitting on grass next to a brown wooden hutch. A fence is behind them.

  15. Piles of burnt branches and wood lie in a heap in a park. Trees and grass can be seen in the background.

  16. Staffordshire Lord Lieutenant Ian Dudson wearing ceremonial uniform with medla and a black cap with a red band around its rim, is stood in front of a museum display cabinet and a a purple banner for the King's Award for Voluntary Service.

  17. A police car, as viewed from the rear left hand side.

  18. Cheryl Adams, a woman with purple dreadlocks, is wearing a grey T-shirt. She is stood outdoors, with trees and shrubbery in the background.

  19. Jane Ackroyd, stood in her garden, is looking at Percy the peacock who is perched on a tree-stump in front of her. There are bushes in the background and an area of lawn.

  20. Spode Works in Stoke-on-Trent, with two factory buildings, a chimney and a large gateway leading to the site. There are road markings and a zebra crossing and there is a sign outside that says Spode Works.

  21. An artist's impression of the proposed new Ryecroft development. It shows a mainly dark building to the right of a walkway, with trees partly obscuring a building to the left.

  22. 'A kick in the teeth' - Robins

    Stoke City's Ben Gibson and Ben Wilmot looking disappointed after a 6-0 loss to Leeds UnitedPA Media

    Stoke City boss Mark Robins says the side's devastating 6-0 loss to Leeds United is a "kick in the teeth" after a run of successful games.

    Prior to the trip to Elland Road, the Potters had won their past two league games and had not lost in four.

    But their good fortunes had run their course against the top side, with Stoke's shaky defensives being put on full display at Elland Road.

    "We didn't compete. You can lose against anyone and especially to teams at the top of the league and will be in the Premier League next season but we gave them the freedom of the stadium. We didn't lay a glove on them," Robins told BBC Radio Stoke.

    "We made mistakes without trying to do something right. We looked fearful to take part in a game that we looked like we didn't belong in.

    "I'm not going to over-react. You don't get too high or too low. I don't have the luxury of dwelling on it, I have to make sure we are back on it on Friday.

    "Anyone who thought we were home and dry that is a kick in the teeth.

    "The performance wasn't befitting of anyone from any team let alone anyone from my Stoke City team."

  23. A close-up image of a woman looking at the camera. She wears a white jumper and a multi-coloured garment on her head.

  24. Burton Albion v Birmingham City