Stoke City

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Stoke City's U21s are back in action on Monday as they host Arsenal in the Premier League 2, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT at the Bet365 Stadium.

The Potters beat Derby County 2-1 in their last game and will now be looking to secure another three points against the Gunners.

Ryan Shawcross' side are 17th in the table while their opponents are fourth, though a win this evening could lift them six places higher.

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Stoke City forward Million Manhoef scored his first goal for the club over the weekend in the 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion.

Talking about how happy he was to hit the back of the net, the 22-year-old said: "Very. I think it was overdue, especially when I missed a big chance (in the first half).

"I can be an important player with goals and assists. When you don't score in the first six, seven games, it gets a bit in your head, but hopefully, it will get better from here."

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Stoke City earned a 2-2 draw against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, coming back from two goals down to gain a point at the Bet365 Stadium.

Speaking to the club's official website during his post-match interview, head coach Steven Schumacher was full of praise for his players:

"We definitely deserved something from the game. I felt we were the better team. We started the game really well. We had our press right, the plan was really good and we caused West Brom problems when we had the ball.

"The only negative is that we didn't take the lead when we had those two or three big chances, so that was a blow to go behind, but once again, we've shown character to come back into the game, especially after they got the second goal which was against the run of play.

"Once we got ourselves back into the game, the atmosphere was all with us, the momentum was with us and if anyone looked like they were going to win it, it would have been us.

"In injury time, the game went scrappy and we didn't manage to carve out another chance, but overall, we've got to be pleased with that type of point against a team who are in the top six."

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Stoke City have moved the statue of John Ritchie from behind the Boothen End to the Franklyn Stand, adjacent to the club store.

The Potters are holding a ceremony at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday, 6 April at 1pm to acknowledge the relocation, ahead of their clash with West Brom.

Many of the all-time leading goalscorer's former teammates, including Terry Conroy and Jimmy Greenhoff, will be attending the unveiling which is being hosted by Nigel Johnson.

Chief Operating Officer, Simon King, said: “Supporters and members of John’s family have voiced their desire to see the tribute relocated to a more prominent location and that’s exactly what we’ve now been able to do.

“The move will lead to the tribute being observed by more people, something that will see John’s story and achievements shared with future generations for years to come."

With Stoke City preparing to face West Brom on Saturday, we asked you to send in your score predictions and thoughts as to how you think the game could pan out.

Here are some of the responses that we received:

Andrew: Stoke will go into West Brom on a high. Win the game two or three nil. Get the goal difference up, play an attacking side, show no mercy. We need the points and clean sheet. Keep 11 men on the pitch and attack every chance we get. We're the 12th man in the crowd. Make us proud and sink the Baggies.

Steve: We have turned a corner, more competition for places and a fit left-back. Iversen in goal seems to be proving his worth... however our home form still isn't convincing despite better results. 2-0 win for the Baggies for me.

Rich: Frustrating as it is, in typical Stoke fashion - we always do quite well against teams further up the table. A derby too. The crowd will be up for it. No doubt the Albion will have a few up the M6 as well. Stoke 2-0 WBA. Burger and McNally.

Adrian: It's got 1-1 written all over it! Stoke struggle at home and the Baggies struggle away. Reverse fixture was 1-1 and this will be the same. But if someone said have the point now - I would.

Lev: Good manager, good players - beginning to understand how to play together. WBA are becoming desperate for wins, not draws. If Stoke win, they are safe. My verdict, draw!

David: WBA are a different class to the last two teams we have played... will be another loss for Stoke I'm afraid.

• Stoke City are winless in their last three Championship games against West Brom (D1 L2), drawing 1-1 earlier this season.

• The Baggies have won three of their previous four away league visits to the Bet365 Stadium (L1), winning 2-1 last term.

• Only Leeds (41), Ipswich (33) and Norwich (30) have more second tier points in 2024 than Carlos Corberan's side (26), who are unbeaten in eight games (W4 D4).

• The Potters secured a 2-1 victory in the last meeting between these two sides at home in the EFL Cup first round back in August.

• Only Watford (17), Sunderland (13) and Plymouth (12) have scored more goals from outside the penalty area this season than West Brom (11).

Stoke City's interim technical director Jonathan Walters reportedly has a strong chance of landing the role on a permanent basis.

The Coates family have been impressed with the former striker since he's been back in the building, earning credit for the work he's doing behind the scenes.

Norwich City's previous sporting director Stuart Webber was believed to have held talks with the club, but it's now claimed that no discussions have taken place. (The Telegraph, external)

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Ahead of Stoke City's upcoming home game vs West Brom, Steven Schumacher has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference to discuss this weekend's opponents, the backing of supporters and the return of Mehdi Leris.

The Baggies: "They are a really strong team all over the pitch and so consistent. They've only lost one game in 12 so we understand it's going to be a tough game, but like every week, anyone can beat anyone in the Championship. If you get your mentality right, get your game plan right and you give it 100% effort, you've got a chance."

Potters fans: "The support has been outstanding. They've been a lot more vocal of late. We've heard the fans and that's what we are going to need because we want it to be an intimidating place for teams to come, but we have to start that. It has to come from us."

Mehdi Leris: "Mehdi has been frustrated. What he hasn't done is let his head drop, he's never not trained properly, he's always shown a good attitude and that gets noticed. Eventually, you come to a point where you think you can't ignore him any longer. He was given his opportunity at Hull and was brilliant. He's going to play a big part for us in the run-in."

Stoke City are set to welcome West Brom to the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday as they look to go three games unbeaten in the Championship.

The Potters secured a 2-0 victory at Hull City before earning a 1-1 draw vs Huddersfield Town over Easter, but can they gain another positive result against Carlos Corberan's side?

Get involved by sending us your score predictions and thoughts ahead of the match using the online form below.

Have your say here!

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Stoke City striker Nathan Lowe has been nominated for the Championship Apprentice of the Season accolade in the 2024 EFL Awards.

The Potters forward has made 11 senior league appearances this campaign, scoring the late winner in that memorable 3-2 away victory against Bristol City.

Leeds United's Archie Gray and Plymouth Argyle's Freddie Issaka are the other two players to have also made the shortlist, with the winner set to be announced on 14 April.

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Ahead of Saturday's game vs West Brom, BBC Radio Stoke's Lucas Yeomans has been speaking to Baggies fan Pete from Albion Analytics, external to discuss what strengths and weaknesses his side could show at the Bet365 Stadium.

"We sometimes struggle breaking down teams that sit deep in a low block and just want to defend. We use the wide areas to attack and move the ball up the pitch and never look comfortable having a number ten in front of the penalty area.

"We put in a lot of crosses, but it's all reliant upon the cross being good rather than having a target man in there to head it home. Saying that, the crossing has also been our strength.

"Tom Fellows, usually on the right wing, he's been excellent. He always steps over the ball, takes it on the outside and puts in a great cross. Every full-back knows exactly what he's going to do but nobody can seem to stop him.

"On the other wing, Mikey Johnston. We brought (him) in on loan from Celtic in January and he's been absolutely brilliant. He's got his own trick where he wants to cut inside and get a little space near the edge of the area and curl it into the far corner."

When asked for his score prediction, he added: "It's away from home so that makes it more difficult for Albion because we've struggled a bit on the road. I'd go for 1-1."

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Back in January, Stoke City signed Leicester City goalkeeper Daniel Iversen on loan for the rest of the season.

The Dane's contract at the King Power Stadium is set to expire next summer, so he could be available on a permanent transfer during the upcoming window.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke's Lucas Yeomans, Ben Rowley, external from 'The YYY-Files' discussed the possibility of buying the 26-year-old for good:

"In the last few games, he's come on leaps and bounds and has saved us points. Really crucial points in not a bad month in March.

"Whoever we sign as a goalkeeper, the manager has got to trust them 100% because we've had too many goalkeepers over the years, chopping and changing.

"Jack Bonham who's been here for so long is constantly being dropped out of the team, whether he's deserving of that or not. We need someone who is going to play 46 games next season.

"You look at Rotherham. If they go down, (Viktor) Johansson might be a great pick-up. We've had (Mark) Travers in the conversation. Iversen could be a good pick-up as well.

"We need consistency in that position because that will help the team, help the defence. If we spend a bit of money, it might be a good investment."

With Stoke City sitting five points clear of the relegation zone, we asked you to send us your thoughts on whether the club will be able to survive the drop at the end of the season.

Here are some of the responses that we received:

Andrew: Stoke will survive. We have the squad, the mentality and the purpose to do it. A win vs Huddersfield would have nearly done it. Stoke will stay in the Championship and build on this season to continue a push for promotion next season. We're the team in red and white, everything will be alright. Up the Mighty Potters.

Al: At last, Steven Schumacher is getting his ideas over to the squad. The experience of his time here will be a great asset to him and the club in the future. I believe he will be a top Premier League manager in the future, either with us or some other club. Well done Schuey.

Adrian: Stoke are going to be in the Championship next season. No doubts! It's next season that will define the future. We need to get consistency and finish in the top 6 - we have to back Steven - he is a good long-term prospect.

Steve: Stay calm but play every game as if we need all three points and we’ll probably end up with another five or six (points) which will see us through. I’m confident.

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Stoke City defender Ki-Jana Hoever has scored in both of the club's last two Championship games against Hull City and Huddersfield Town.

The Dutchman has revealed that he'd like to get forward more, despite that not being his natural role:

"I'm pretty composed around the box. I haven't done it enough this season. Obviously I'm a right-back, so it depends. Not every game I can be in those positions, but now, as a team, we are doing well.

"I feel free to go everywhere on the pitch, so I put myself in positions where I'm able to score. I think I proved that last season, now again, so I'm happy about it."

Addressing the praise he's been receiving from Steven Schumacher, the 22-year-old said: "I try to learn every day from the guys around me, from the coach as well. Once I'm free in my head, I'll be able to play my best football.

"Of course, I need to do my job first and that's defending. Once I do that, I could be an extra attacker in a lot of situations."

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Stoke City earned a 1-1 draw against Huddersfield Town on Easter Monday, and that was the first time this season that the team have come from behind to gain a point from a losing position at home.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke's Sohail Sahi, Potters head coach Steven Schumacher admitted that he was pleased to have finally broken that record.

"That's massive and it shouldn't have taken this long for that to happen. You try and explain to the lads all the time that setbacks do occur in football, it's part and parcel of the game that you don't get it all your own way.

"It's important that you stay positive and keep believing in what we are asking them to do and if you do that then you'll have a chance."

When asked what impact the result could have on the confidence of the players, he added: "It should give them belief. If you concede a goal, the crowd get really frustrated.

"I'm walking off at half-time and getting screamed at from fans. It's not easy for me and it's not easy for the players, so to respond the way we did positively in the second half was good.

"If they've done it once then they can do it again. I'm sure there will be more setbacks in the remaining games, so if we have that type of reaction again, we'll be happy."

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Former Stoke City midfielder Glenn Whelan has finally revealed what happened between him and team-mate Abdoulaye Faye at Chelsea in 2010.

The incident at Stamford Bridge was sparked by Faye warming-up in flip flops.

Whelan told BBC Radio Stoke: "We had a bit of a ding-dong, but it was only for the better for the team I thought. It was a little bit of fisticuffs, but we got on great and played with each other after that."

He continued: "The red mist came along before the game and I wasn't too happy with it. I could have picked on smaller people to have a go at than big Abdoulaye.

"He [Abdoulaye] was doing the warm-up in his flip flops, listen that was ok, but Abdoulaye then went out and played and had to come off after five to ten minutes picking up a muscle injury. That's what I got upset about because did he do his warm-up right?"

Whelan explained how the confrontation came about:

"On the way in to Stamford Bridge you go down the steps and then back up, as he's going down the steps he's having a bit of a dance and a sing-song with all the African players that he gets on with and I saw that as a bit of a dig at us, because he's got injured after five minutes not doing his warm-up properly and now he's having a party with a few of his mates on the Chelsea team. Afterwards there was fisticuffs but we were pals then after.

"Abdoulaye tried to throw a slap at me and then big Salif Diao got in the middle of it," added Whelan, 40.

"Listen this isn't the first time things like this happen. I won't be the first ex-player to tell you what goes on. These things happen all the time. Like I said I was doing it for the good of the team and I just felt it was a bit disrespectful from Abdoulaye to be laughing and joking with the Chelsea players that he got on with when he came off injured."

"I could have picked on smaller players but the red mist had gone on my part. It wasn't a case of how big he was I felt it just needed to be said and at the time it didn't matter who it was there were standards that needed to be kept and met and on the day I felt Abdoulaye didn't."

It was a day to forget for Stoke City, who went on to lose the game 7-0. Whelan says he and Faye got on fine afterwards and no grudges were held, however he admitted neither player apologised:

"I didn't say sorry for it and I don't think he said sorry to me either. It wasn't a case of being sorry it was just how I felt and we got on with things afterwards and no, it's football."

Listen to Whelan tell the story here.

'Ultimately he will come good'.

Stoke City fans have been reacting to the team's results over Easter and the progress of the team under head coach Steven Schumacher.

This is what supporters said on BBC Radio Stoke's Praise and Grumble show:

David - The first 15 minutes was total domination. As soon as we concede, I don't know if it's a phobia, there's something that rips the crowd that you don't see at away games.

Brendan - It just seemed to me that as soon as they scored a disallowed goal their heads seemed to drop. I don't know what's going on. I thought Manhoef was absolutely outstanding.

Bill - I like him (Schumacher), ultimately he will come good and patience is required, we can't be having this constant change of management, we have to allow managers to bed in. It's four points over Easter which can't be sniffed at given the situation that Stoke are in.

What do you think of Stoke City's survival chances after the Easter weekend? Tell us here.