Stoke City

"The fact that we just missed out on a couple of wins and got draws instead, that's still a very, very good month in the grand scheme of things. I know it doesn't look like that on paper, but it's really not that bad."

Lucas Yeomans and Ben Rowley discuss a low-scoring, four-match winless run and predict how the results might unfold between now and the next international break in November.

Listen to the full episode of A Cold Wet Tuesday Night and more Stoke City content on BBC Sounds.

Mark Elliott
BBC Radio Stoke commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Three games in a row have found three different ways to frustrate Stoke City.

First was dominance unrewarded against Norwich, next came a brilliant finish that couldn't quite get over the line at Middlesbrough and then there was a controlled start at Blackburn that unravelled after a beautifully-taken goal had given Stoke a lead.

As Mark Robins rightly reiterated after the game, the Championship is relentless and this may have been a game too far at the end of three games in a week - with two away from home.

Perhaps it was mental fatigue rather than physical tiredness for a squad that again rotated with five changes made to the side which impressed in the north east, but as the match wore on, mistakes crept in.

Robins was frustrated post-match, as was the goalscorer Million Manhoef, who came out for his interviews wearing the look of a man in a rush for success.

It's another sign of how far Stoke have come that each of these draws have been met with disappointment, but the manager hit the nail on the head when talking about the situation his team are in.

He spoke about the great position Stoke have found themselves in early in the campaign and a desperation to capitalise. He spoke about these draws as chances missed and about wanting to make the most of the improvements his team have made.

To do that, they have to score more goals. Defensively, Stoke have been impressive this season and they've played some brilliant football between the boxes, but here they were again guilty of profligacy in front of goal.

If they can make better decisions in the final third, they'll be one of the best teams in the league. The frustration is there because they're so close to getting it right, but six points worse off for not having done so yet.

Steven Nzonzi says he returned to Stoke because he wants to finish his playing career on a high at a place which holds such fond memories for him.

The 36-year-old midfielder played more than 100 games for the Potters between 2012 and 2015 before big-money moves to Sevilla and later Roma, while he spent the past four seasons playing in Qatar, Turkey and Iran before penning a one-year deal at the Bet365 Stadium in August.

He told BBC Radio Stoke: "It's been great to be back. I didn't expect to play here again, it was a surprise but I was very happy about it.

"It's one of the teams where I have enjoyed playing the most. I had a great time here so I'm very happy to be back.

"The first time I went to the stadium or the training ground it brings back so many memories and it's a great feeling. I only have good memories here."

Nzonzi came off the bench to help France win the 2018 World Cup final against Croatia but said he was "frustrated" with the standard of play in the Middle East and wanted to show what he could do in a top league before hanging up his boots.

He said: "I wanted to come back to Europe in a competitive league because I feel my body is still good and I believe I can still play at a high level. I believe I can still help the team.

"I had a couple of years in the Middle East and it was a good experience but I was a little frustrated. I wanted to finish on a better note, in a good team at a good level. I believe Stoke was the best place for me to do that."

Nzonzi came off the bench to a hero's reception in the 1-1 draw with Norwich last Saturday and, after being an unused sub in the 0-0 stalemate at Middlesbrough on Tuesday, will hope to be involved at Blackburn on Saturday - the club where he spent three years before first joining Stoke in 2012.

"It was an unbelievable feeling. I want to thank the fans who have always been great to me - one of the reasons I am back," he added.

" Hopefully I can put on some good performances when I get some more minutes."

Stoke City boss Mark Robins has confirmed that defender Bosun Lawal will be on the sidelines for several weeks after picking up a "significant" hamstring injury.

Lawal will also miss out on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, with boss Heimir Hallgrimsson stating that the versatile footballer will be out for four to five weeks.

Robins is not so certain on the timeline provided by the Icelandic manager.

"It might be shorter, it might be longer, who knows but he's got a significant hamstring injury so it's a real blow," the Potters boss told BBC Radio Stoke.

"Without a shadow of a doubt, he's been one of the best players not just here but in the whole Championship."

Listen to the full interview with Robins and more Stoke City content on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Opta

Stoke could return to the top-two of the Championship, for a few hours at least, with victory at Blackburn on Saturday lunchtime (12:30 BST).

The Potters had to settle for a goalless draw at unbeaten leaders Middlesbrough on Tuesday night, and slipped to third behind Coventry, after a third straight game without a win.

Mark Robins' hopes will be high, however, as City have a a fine record against Rovers of late, especially at Ewood Park.

Third-bottom Blackburn have also lost all four home games this season in all competitions and have lost three of their past four games overall, scoring only twice.

• Blackburn Rovers have lost five of their past seven league games against Stoke City (W2), though have scored exactly three goals in both of those victories.

• Stoke City have lost just one of their past 10 away league games against Blackburn Rovers since 2009 (W6 D3), keeping seven clean sheets during that time.

• Since winning four consecutive league games in April, Blackburn Rovers have only won two of their past eight games in the Championship (D1 L5), losing each of the last two.

• Stoke won their first three matches of the Championship season, yet have won just one of their five matches in the competition since then (D2 L2), while scoring just twice across the five fixtures.

• Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael won his first league game against Stoke in February 2021 (2-0 in charge of Barnsley), but is winless in four league matches against them since (D1 L3).

Stoke defender Ashley Phillips says the stability at the club this summer has given them the platform for their fast start.

The 20-year-old Tottenham loanee helped Stoke move second in the Championship courtesy of a 0-0 draw at unbeaten leaders Middlesbrough on Tuesday night and told BBC Radio Stoke: "On another day I think we win that.

"I think we started slow but second half did very well and were unlucky not to get the three points, but we'll look back and it's a big point.

"When you're creating that many chances it's a positive sign. It's something to build on and I think the start we've had to this season is very good."

Phillips was recalled to the starting XI at Riverside Stadium after four games on the bench, and added: "They're the games you want to play in.

"We've done well to get a result and it's down to squad depth. We're all pushing each other, challenging each other, keeping each other fit so when you come in you're almost slotting back in.

"The lads have been excellent. It's pushed me to become a better player. I've had to be patient but when my chance comes it's up to me to take it. The clean sheet is a positive start."

Manager Mark Robins was appointed at Bet365 Stadium on New Year's Day after the departure of Steven Schumacher and Narcis Pelach over a three-month spell, and Phillips, who was also on loan at the Potters last season, continued: "The fact we're disappointed we didn't pick up a win is a great sign.

"We've come on loads from last season. This time last year we maybe could have lost that.

"We have made a positive start so hopefully we can keep building on that.

"There's a lot more stability this season - the gaffer has had a pre-season and the players are buying into what he wants to do. If we can keep going I'm sure we'll have a very positive season."

Click here to listen to the full interview and more via BBC Sounds.

Mark Elliott
BBC Radio Stoke commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Robert Bozenik puffed out his cheeks and looked to the heavens as he pulled a bib over his head and slumped down into his seat in the dugout.

His last touch of the game should have given Stoke the lead but he missed a brilliant chance before being replaced and Middlesbrough escaped with their unbeaten record intact.

He wasn't the only one guilty of wastefulness in an otherwise brilliant second-half performance from Stoke City.

Tomas Rigo should have scored having had time to take a touch inside the box but saw his effort saved while Sorba Thomas, Eric Bocat and Ben Wilmot all went close.

This was the second game in four days in which Stoke had to settle for a draw when they might - and possibly should - have won, but the positives coming out of both games far outweigh the negatives.

Middlesbrough could have had a penalty in the first half and had chances of their own but they are top of the league, unbeaten, were at home and still clinging on for most of the second period.

Goals will come if Stoke continue to play and create as they have done since an underwhelming performance at QPR proved to be a blip rather than a new normal.

It looks like they have far too much quality in attack not to convert a higher percentage of those chances as the weeks go on.

This game also allowed Ashley Phillips, Lamine Cisse and Bozenik to come into the side and Bocat to get valuable game time - and the depth of the squad looks decent.

On this evidence Cisse will need time to adapt to the pace of the Championship, but a team showing five changes from the game with Norwich was competitive enough, even before half time, against as good an opposition as the division has to offer.

None of Stoke's next four opponents are higher than 11th in the table, so on the face of it, similar performances to the past two over that run of fixtures should yield a good haul of points.

Image source, Getty Images

Manager Mark Robins says there was plenty to be proud of as Stoke City shared the points with Championship leaders Middlesbrough.

The draw moved the Potters up to second as they came close to ending Boro's unbeaten start to the season, particularly in a strong second half showing.

Robins told BBC Radio Stoke: "The second half we were much better because we were more compact. When we were pressing first half, we got stretched.

"They're a good team, well coached - they had an extra body in midfield and it changed the way we could go about things.

"The second half, we were on the front foot as much as we possibly could, but it became a basketball game in the end because we kept turning the ball over.

"But it was a really good performance, a good team performance and one we can be proud of because these are flying at the moment."

Forward Divin Mubama says he's enjoying life on loan at Stoke and is learning from Potters boss Mark Robins.

The 20-year-old Manchester City loanee and England Under-21 international has scored two goals in his first seven starts as Stoke have established themselves among the early front-runners.

They head to Championship leaders Middlesbrough on Tuesday with the opportunity to close the gap to a point with a win at the Riverside (19:45 BST).

"I've enjoyed it, I'm playing, so far so good and the team is progressing well," Mubama told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I came in here with an open mind and to try to perfect my craft and improve with every game.

"The manager being a centre-forward means you can relate to him, the advice he gives to me is something I take on and has really helped me so far.

"The Championship is intense, very physical, I kind of expected it would be a lot on the body but it's good, I love it. It's a different level."

Click here to hear the full interview with BBC Radio Stoke.

Image source, Opta

Table-topping Middlesbrough will seek to extend their perfect home record when Stoke head to The Riverside on Tuesday night (19:45 BST).

The Potters are third, four points adrift of unbeaten Boro, who came back to draw 1-1 at Southampton on Saturday.

Rob Edwards' men are the third leading scorers in the Championship while having the stingiest defence with just five goals conceded in their opening seven matches.

Mark Robins' Potters also came from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Norwich on Saturday but after winning their first two away games, they went down 1-0 at QPR in their most recent away game.

• Middlesbrough completed a league double over Stoke City last season, and could win three in a row against the Potters for only the second time since WWII, after June 2020.

• Stoke have won on just one of their past nine league visits to Middlesbrough (D2 L6), a 2-0 victory in October 2023.

• Middlesbrough have won all three of their Championship home games this season, and could win each of their opening four home matches of a second tier campaign for the sixth time, after 1925-26, 1969-70, 1971-72, 1991-92, and 2018-19.

• Stoke have won three of their past six away league games (D1 L2), as many as their previous 20 beforehand (W3 D5 L12).

• Middlesbrough's Rob Edwards has won both of his previous managerial games against Stoke in the Championship, each with Luton in February 2023 (1-0) and December 2024 (2-1).

Mark Elliott
BBC Radio Stoke's Potters commentator

Image source, Rex Features

That Stoke only took a point from the game against Norwich was undoubtedly disappointing but the dominance they displayed is a cause for huge optimism.

Tomas Rigo is a player. As the game went on he grew in influence, roaming and finding pockets of space and showcasing his creativity as his confidence grew.

His central midfield colleague Tatsuki Seko was outstanding deputising for the injured Lewis Baker while the front four all had great moments without getting the little details right, away from a well taken equaliser from Sorba Thomas.

Mark Robins used the word "detail" repeatedly after the game and it's those small actions in big moments that Stoke can look to as they try and improve again as a unit.

That they're already in a position where they can sweat the small stuff is a positive in itself but individuals making the best possible decision in big moments and executing the choice with precision more often than not is what will turn a good team into a great one that can realistically compete for promotion.

The basics are there. Work rate, endeavour and will were showcased in abundance and the crowd at the bet365 Stadium are responding with incredible support.

When Steven Nzonzi made his return to the pitch in the second half, a World Cup winner's medal richer than when he first left the Potteries all those years ago, the reception was thunderous.

Robins said his smart watch warned him about dangerous noise levels nearby as the crowd got right behind his team.

Get the details right over the coming weeks and all the talk will focus on decibels and just how far this side can go.

Stoke boss Mark Robins was proud of his side's performance despite seeing them drop points at home to Norwich.

The Potters manager told BBC Radio Stoke:

"From minute one we were really good, we looked dangerous and I thought we deserved more.

"We were in the ascendancy from the off and to a man we were outstanding, that is probably the most dominant we have ben in games this season. They were hanging on, the only downside was we didn't take the three points.

"I thought we worked really hard, it is just the fine details we need to tighten up in the final third. We have had a lot of chance to go out and win the game.

"We had one brief spell of making stupid decisions, which gave them an opening and they took advantage."

Stoke City manager Mark Robins has been speaking to the media before the Potters' clash with Norwich City on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Here are the main talking points:

• Robins believes the Championship is "pretty open" with most teams viable promotion contenders. He sees Middlesbrough as the "early pacesetters" but says his side have "done pretty well."

• He says Stoke's biggest achievements this season has been finding ways to beat varying qualities of opponents and getting away wins. Robins added "the evolution has been significant" from when he took over, with Stoke City 19th in the Championship in January compared to second in the league currently.

• Despite an ideal start, Robins has warned the players not to get complacent. Good performances and graft, "competitiveness" and "desire" must be maintained by the players to ensure success.

• Robins predicts Saturday's game against Norwich to be "a real challenge" and acknowledges joint Championship leading goalscorer Josh Sargent is a big threat for the visitors.

Listen to the full interview with Mark Robins and more Stoke content on Sounds.

Image source, Opta

Norwich City travel to Stoke City on Saturday (15:00 BST) as 15th in the Championship takes on second.

Norwich are yet to lose on the road in the league this season but will aim to tighten up the defence after keeping only one clean sheet so far against 10-man Blackburn Rovers.

After a fast start, Stoke City have lost twice in their last three league games.

• Stoke City are winless in their last nine league meetings with Norwich (D3 L6) since a 1-0 away win in October 2018.

• Having lost six of their seven away league games against Stoke between 2005 and 2016 (W1), Norwich are now unbeaten in their last five visits (W2 D3).

• No side has conceded fewer Championship goals this season than Stoke (4), with the Potters yet to concede more than once in any of their six games so far.

• Norwich are unbeaten in all three of their away league games so far this season (W2 D1), in stark contrast to their home form of which they have lost all three.

• No player has scored more Championship goals this season than Norwich's Josh Sargent, with his five goals coming from just seven shots on target.

Image source, BBC Sport

A potential move to take the Championship play-offs down to eighth place would damage the competition's credibility, according to former Huddersfield, Stoke and Middlesbrough defender Tommy Smith.

The EFL board is set to discuss proposals to increase the number of teams in the end-of-season play-offs from four to six but Smith, who was promoted to the Premier League with Huddersfield via the play-offs in 2017 is not a fan of the idea.

"It's not for me - I think it suits teams who don't really have a chance to get in the top six," he told the BBC's EFL podcast 72+.

"From a credibility point of view the top six is there to be aimed at and you have to earn your place in it."

The play-offs were first introduced for the 1986-87 season where sides finishing third down to fifth were involved along with the team third-from-bottom in the top flight.

After two seasons the format was changed to be played out between teams finishing third to sixth in the second tier.

"To finish eighth in the Championship and potentially get promoted to the Premier League it just doesn't sit right with me," added Smith.

"Notoriously over the past years getting into the top six is tough and when you get in there after a long hard season it feels brilliant, so to make it a top eight it dilutes it."

Image source, Rex Features

Stoke City midfielder Tomas Rigo says he signed for the club because of the Potters' ambition to get back to the Premier League.

The 23-year-old Slovakian joined two days before the end of the transfer window, agreeing a four-year deal from Banik Ostrava.

"They introduced to me their plan and I liked it," Rigo told BBC Radio Stoke.

"They want to go back to the Premier League and I hope I can be part of that. They are a club with ambition.

"It was not a difficult decision. I wanted to move forward in my career and develop and Stoke was a a very good option for me.

"All the facilities are much better and I think it can develop me to the next level."

Rigo says he has settled in well over the past few weeks and said as soon as he met everyone he felt "like I'd been here two or three years".

He was introduced to the home fans ahead of the game against West Brom on day he signed - an experience he said was "very nice" adding the supporters were "incredible".

His introduction to the Championship has so far encompassed the 1-0 win over Birmingham City at the bet365 Stadium, and last Saturday's defeat by Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.

Rigo says those matches have given him a sharp introduction to English football.

"The intensity is higher," he said.

"I don't have much time on the ball. I'm getting used to it and it's nothing I can't do.

"I'm a creative player and want to create chances and be dangerous in the final third."

Rigo is set to keep his place for Saturday's visit of Norwich City and says it is important that they "forget about" the QPR result.

"I'm happy to start two matches in a row and I believe we can keep our position in the league. I'm trying not to put pressure on myself and am going to play my game."

Stoke City goalkeeper Viktor Johansson says the Potters were not on the same level as Queens Park Rangers after suffering a 1-0 loss at Loftus Road on Saturday.

The defeat, their second in three league games, was not enough to see the Potters drop out of the top two but it has left them four points adrift of league leaders Middlesbrough.

Johansson had kept the Rs at bay in the second half with two excellent stops before Harvey Vale struck the winner on 75 minutes.

"We weren't near enough on their levels," Johansson told BBC Radio Stoke.

"We trained well all week. Different solutions to different problems, we just couldn't find it.

"It's frustrating. We've got so much more in us, we just couldn't get the energy."

Listen to the full post-match interview with Johansson and more Stoke City content on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke manager Mark Robins said his team had been given a reality check at Queens Park Rangers.

Harvey Vale's second-half goal earned a 1-0 win for the hosts as the Potters fell to their first away defeat of the season.

Robins told BBC Radio Stoke: "That's the worst we've played this season. We have to maintain a level and maintain our non-negotiables, and we just didn't.

"We got exactly what we deserved, so it's back to the drawing board. Optimism is fantastic but unless you do things right all the time, and not just when you fancy it, you are going to come unstuck.

"Feet on the ground, which isn't a bad thing, but we have got to get back on it. That's two 12:30 kick-offs now where we've lost 1-0 and not played to our potential.

"It can't become a thing because there will be a few of them."

Mark Elliott
BBC Radio Stoke commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Robins said it was "the worst we've played this season" and held to the high standards they have set over the past couple of months he certainly had a point.

Stoke just could not find the quality on the ball, intensity or incisiveness they have shown this season but despite the sub-par performance they could have still taken a point.

Million Manhoef missed an absolute sitter from close range with a second-half header that cleared the bar which almost loomed over him and Aaron Cresswell had a late shot cleared off the line.

In the end, QPR edged it in terms of overall performance and missed a couple of chances of their own in addition to the goal they scored but frustratingly, they were not that much better than a Stoke team stuck in second gear.

Loftus Road is compact and the pitch is small and a Potters side that likes to stretch the play horizontally as well as vertically never really seemed to get to grips with the narrowness of the field and the lack of space that caused.

Rangers allowed the Stoke centre-backs to keep possession without pressure but any pass into midfield was a trigger to press and they used the whitewash as an extra defender, closing down really effectively and forcing Stoke backwards with too much regularity.

Stoke misplaced too many passes when they did find space, made one or two poor decisions in the final third and generally looked like their sharpness had been dulled.

Robins made the point that they've lost two 12:30 kick-offs this season and was keen to point out that they can't "allow that to become a thing".

The manager was "disappointed" and the squad has good depth so it may be that some of those players who have been patiently waiting for a chance while the team has been winning sense an opportunity when Norwich visit the Bet365 next time out.