Stoke & Staffordshire

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  1. Baker should 'take a bow', says delighted Robinspublished at 19:35 15 February

    Lewis BakerImage source, Getty Images

    Stoke boss Mark Robins praised the vision of Lewis Baker after he scored from inside his own half to cap a 3-1 victory over Swansea City.

    Baker provided a spectacular finish as the Potters put themselves six points clear of the Championship relegation places.

    "It was a huge win. I think we had played really well, limited them to one shot on goal before we contrived to give them their first goal," said Robins.

    "What transpired after that was nothing short of phenomenal. The fact that we have taken everything on board… We have got the ball in the box with quality, we have got ourselves into good positions and we have taken those chances.

    "What happened after that was absolutely magic. I don't know if anybody here will have seen a goal like that [from Lewis Baker], or anywhere really. I think that's further than David Beckham's one.

    "As soon it left his foot I looked at the goalkeeper and thought that's got a chance. It's absolutely outstanding – the vision to see it and to execute it. That's goal of the season for me. Lewis Baker, take a bow son."

    Stoke are next in action away to Norwich City on 22 February.

  2. Stoke need points now or pressure will grow - Robinspublished at 16:22 14 February

    A pensive looking Stoke City boss Mark RobinsImage source, Rex Features
    Image caption,

    Stoke have won just one league game under Mark Robins

    Stoke City must not let their battle against relegation go into the final few weeks of the season, says head coach Mark Robins.

    The Potters have won only one of Robins' eight league games in charge and are just three points clear of the relegation zone with 15 matches of the season remaining.

    "There's a clear identity starting to form (in our play) but it's certainly not there yet - we've got to get there and we will at some point but it's about the here and now," Robins told BBC Radio Stoke.

    "We've got to pick up points, so the pressure grows every time you don't and games start to diminish, the pressure comes on and games start to become must-win."

    Stoke host Swansea City, two places and five points above them in the Championship table, on Saturday with just one win from their previous eight league games at the bet365 Stadium.

    "The players need to understand it's better now to start picking up points rather than having to do it with the last three, four or five games to go," added Robins.

  3. Pick of the stats: Stoke City v Swansea Citypublished at 11:42 14 February

    Club badges banner

    Stoke City and Swansea will seek to get back to winning ways as they meet at the Bet365 on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

    After Wednesday night's 2-0 defeat at Bristol City, the Potters remain three places and three points above the drop zone in 19th, two places but five points adrift of the Swans, who won at Ashton Gate last Sunday but went down 1-0 at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday night.

    • Stoke City have won just one of their past five league games against Swansea City (D3 L1), and have failed to score in their last two league games against the Swans.

    • Swansea have won only once in their past 13 league trips to Stoke (D4 L8), though have earned draws in their previous two visits in August 2022 and December 2023 (both 1-1).

    • Stoke have kept a clean sheet in each of their past three home league games (W1 D2); they last did so in four successive games in November 2012.

    • Swansea ended a four-game losing run on the road in the league with a 1-0 win at Bristol City; they last won successive away games in February last season.

    • Stoke manager Mark Robins has faced Swansea more times than any other side in the Football League without ever recording a win (13 games – D7 L6).