Stoke need to manage games better - Stevens

Enda Stevens joined Stoke from Sheffield United in July 2023

Stoke City defender Enda Stevens says they need to work on improving their game management following the Championship defeat by Sheffield United.

The Potters were beaten 2-0 at Bramall Lane in a result that stretched their winless run to four games and left them one point above the bottom three in the table.

It was, though, Stoke's first loss since the end of September and came after three successive draws.

"It was a game of moments and they came out on the right side of those," Stevens told BBC Radio Stoke.

"The timing of the goals killed us.

"We didn't have that little bit of what you need here - it's a hard place to come. They're unbeaten at home and you've got to take chances."

Stoke went into the game off the back of two home draws - 1-1 against Norwich, before seeing a two-goal lead slip away against Bristol City.

But with the squad still finding their feet under new head coach Narcis Pelach, a trip to the Blades, who had dropped only two points at home so far, was always going to be challenge.

"They're one of the favourites to go up," Stevens, 34, said.

"[But] a lot of the lads can see there are chances in games, chances to play and dominate.

"Hopefully we will learn - especially from the last two games - how to manage games a bit better."

Stevens said working under Pelach has been "brilliant" and, although the Spaniard has guided them to only one win in his seven games in charge, the full-back is confident the future will be bright.

"We're building a structure and a way of playing.

"Previously we've come out of the blocks firing and taken leads and the fans have been excited to watch us play.

"We are working on something and there's a lot of lads in there willing to learn and wanting to do well.

"We're listening and trying to do well and I honestly believe this club is going in the right direction under this regime."

Baldock tributes 'incredible'

Enda Stevens and George Baldock played together at Sheffield United between 2017 and 2023

The match at Bramall Lane was the first for the Blades at home since the death of their former player George Baldock.

Before the game, tributes were paid to the defender who passed away at the age of 31 last month.

Stevens, a former Sheffield United team-mate of Baldock, was applauded by the home fans as he laid a wreath before kick-off.

"It was an emotional day. It was the sort of situation you never expect to be in. I thought it was incredible - the respect they paid to him," Stevens said.

"He was an absolute gentleman and a legend for the club.

"I shared a dressing room with him for six years and it's something I can't fathom. The club will carry his name for years and years."