Stoke City

The latest episode of BBC Radio Stoke's 'A Cold Wet Tuesday Night' podcast is available to listen to now.

Lucas and George (AKA Potterlytics) discuss the summer transfers and give each player a rating out of of 10.

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Image source, Phil Greig (Stoke City)

Stoke City full-back Eric Bocat has said creating goals and assists is definitely something he wants to do more of.

The 25-year-old joined the Potters in the summer and after only a handful of game the Frenchman has already impressed the Stoke faithful.

It was his assist for Stoke's third goal in their 5-0 win at Middlesbrough in the League Cup that got the fans purring.

Bocat told BBC Radio Stoke that he and the head coach Steven Schumacher are working hard on getting him in more attacking positions.

"The brought me here to give something offensively because it's my dominant quality. I like to go forward, dribble and cross.

"He [Schumacher] asks me everyday to do more because he sees I can do it, he always pushes me to go up," he added.

The left-back was quick to point out that he can't lose sight of his defensive responsibilities: "Sometimes it's not easy [to attack] because I have tough opponents so I have to defend to, but he [Schumacher] always pushes me forward which gives me confidence to go."

How impressed have you been with Eric Bocat? Let us know here.

Image source, Stoke City

Potters on international duty

Stoke City head coach Steven Schumacher will be hoping all his players return from the international break unscathed.

Teenagers Sol Sidibe and Jaden Dixon will make an early return to his squad after both made it through three England u18's games unharmed. While goalkeeper Viktor Johansson won two caps for Sweden in wins over Azerbaijan and Estonia.

Schumacher will be keeping a close eye on loanee Lewis Koumas who could make his first start for Wales against Montenegro in the Nations League this evening (19:45) while Million Manhoef is back in Netherlands U21s action at home to Georgia (19:00).

Striker Emre Tezgel and defender Ashley Phillips could both feature for England U20's against Romania on Tuesday (19:00) while also on Tuesday Andrew Moran will line up for Ireland's U21's at home to Latvia on (17:00).

Listen to the latest episode of A Cold Wet Tuesday Night from BBC Radio Stoke with Lucas Yeomans and George Weaver, AKA Potterlytics.

In Part Two of their transfer window review, Lucas and George continue to rate the signings out of 10, including Liverpool's Lewis Koumas.

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Image source, Phil Greig (Stoke City)

Former Stoke City defender Mike Pejic has said that Steven Schumacher has found the goalscorer he needs by signing Tom Cannon on loan from Leicester City.

"It's a massive signing. A front player in Schumacher's team needs to be a player who runs in behind, creates space and exploits space. He's [Cannon] been an excellent signing because he's that type who continually makes those runs and we need that kind of player," Pejic told BBC Radio Stoke.

The 1972 League Cup winner now believes that Potters have got all the players they need to make a real impact in the Championship.

"They've covered all areas, he's [Schumacher] got a goalkeeper and two centre-backs in, he's also got rid of some players from the midfield area and now he's got a couple of good front players."

Stoke put out their the youngest ever side (22.7) for a league game when they beat Plymouth 1-0, two teenagers also came off the bench in the second half. Pejic doesn't think a lack of experience should hold this team back.

"Time will tell but they'll have the energy, the spirit and the only way you get experience is by playing them."

Stoke City have won four and lost two of their opening six fixtures and Potters fans are are getting excited about the club's new signings.

This is what you've been telling us about your team this week.

Thom - Stoke look really promising, after a few years of looking terribly drab and lacking any depth of talent. Schumacher has really improved the style of play over the summer and the players all look like they’re happy to be there. It’s a shame that Mr Coates will happily sell the best players in January when other clubs realise they’re quite good!

Andrew - I wish we had someone again in midfield like Hoekstra or Nzonzi. Two class acts. We need someone who can command, push forward and be in thick of it. Hope Seko can do this? Get him straight into the team after the international break so he can show us.

Adrian - If Cannon is available and fit, it has to be him [up front]. We need to get him tried out as soon as possible.

How are you feeling about Stoke City at the moment? Let us know here.

Image source, Getty

It's international break and a couple of Stoke City players have been impressing for their countries.

Winger Million Manheof continued his good start to the season with two goals for Netherlands U21s. The Dutch ran out 5-0 winners at home to North Macedonia.

Goalkeeper Viktor Johansson started for Sweden on Thursday in the Nations League. The 25-year-old saved a penalty as the Swedes won 3-1 away at Azerbaijan.

Meanwhile teenagers Sol Sidibe and Jaden Dixon are in action for the England U18s against Switzerland on Friday, 6 September Kick-off: 19:45 BST

While loan midfielder Andrew Moran is in the Ireland U21 squad to face Turkey.

Listen to the latest episode of A Cold Wet Tuesday Night from BBC Radio Stoke with Lucas Yeomans and George Weaver, AKA Potterlytics.

Lucas and George go through all of Stoke City's signings in the transfer window and rate them out of 10.

Click here to listen and see if you agree?

Image source, Phil Greig (Stoke City)

Stoke City's Tom Cannon has said that he can't wait to get back to scoring goals.

The 22-year-old joined the Potters on loan from Premier League side Leicester City and met his new team-mates this week.

Since the start of 2024 the Republic of Ireland striker has only played 90 minutes once and his last goal was back in January in the FA Cup.

After making the decision to move to Stoke for the season Cannon said the lack of game time has been hard:

"I've been going into training everyday giving it my all and for whatever reasons I haven't really got the minutes. When I have I think I have done well, so hopefully I can take that over here now and hit the ground running," Cannon told BBC Radio Stoke.

"There's no better feeling in football especially for a striker, all you want to be doing is scoring goals and hopefully I can get back to doing that as soon as possible."

Who would you pick to play in the Stoke City attack? Let us know here.

Image source, Stoke City

Former Stoke City midfielder Daniel Johnson has completed a move to Turkish side Fatih Karagumruk.

Johnson left the Potters by mutual consent 24 hours before the transfer window shut and has linked up with ex-Stoke City team-mate Wesley who departed the bet365 Stadium earlier in the summer.

The 31-year-old found opportunities limited as Steven Schmacher rebuilt his Stoke midfield around Wouter Burger, Junho Bae, Jordan Thompson and Sol Sidibe.

The Potters head coach also brought in Bosun Lawal from Celtic, Tatsuki Seko from J.League side Kawasaki Frontale and also secured the loan services of Andrew Moran from Brighton and Hove Albion.

Johnson is expected to make his debut against Ankaragucu on Sunday, September 15.

'He reminds me of Andrea Pirlo'

Image source, Phil Greig (Stoke City)

After Stoke City signed Tatsuki Seko on transfer deadline day, a Japanese football journalist has said Steven Schumacher has bought a "really intelligent player".

Shunsuke Ide reports on Japanese Footballers in the Championship and has monitored Seko's progress since he joined Kawasaki Frontale in 2022.

"As soon as he joined he quickly became one of the starting eleven and he controlled the game as the central midfielder," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"He reminds me of Andrea Pirlo, he controls the ball excellently and brings the ball to the front and he's also an excellent passer who can build up the game from the back. He can be a dangerous player around the final third as he has quite good middle-range shots."

The midfielder signed a three-year contract in the summer but hasn't yet played for Japan. Ide explained that there's a lot of competition in his position.

"I think he's good enough to be selected but his position is highly competitive we have loads of players like Wataru Endō at Liverpool and Ao Tanaka who recently joined Leeds United. We have a lot of players in his position."

Ide added that fans may need to be patient with Seko as he takes time to settle into a new country but he'll be worth the wait.

"He's only ever played in the J.League but the intensity and physicality is much stronger in English football, plus if he experiences any language barrier it could be a blocker for him to adapt to the team, but who knows we may adapt quickly.

"He definitely can be a key player for Stoke to get promotion to the Premier League if he can show his excellent abilities of pass, shoot and game control," he said.

Ide admitted the player does have some areas to develop.

"The only concern is he may struggle to adapt to the defensive side, like if the team ask him to focus on defence work like a number six," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"Otherwise he will definitely be one of the most exciting and key players this season."

Image source, Phil Greig (Stoke City)

Stoke City loanee Tom Cannon has said he cannot wait to get going at his new club.

The 22-year-old striker signed on loan from Leicester City on transfer deadline day and started training this week.

A host of other Championship teams were interested in his services, but it was his connection with assistant head coach Peter Cavanagh that made him leave the Foxes in favour of the Potteries.

"Cav's [Cavanagh] been texting me the whole summer and when the manager phoned me too I was delighted," Cannon told BBC Radio Stoke.

"From what Cav was saying there was nothing but good about the club and then speaking to the manager it was the same, and him saying how important I was going to be. To hear that as a player, it gives you real confidence."

The Republic of Ireland striker was in Everton's academy for 10 years where Cavanagh was a coach.

Cannon said that relationship was a decisive factor: "I've known Cav right through the [Everton] age groups and get on really well with him, so it's nice to be back with him."

He also credited former Leicester team-mate Jamie Vardy for helping him become a better striker.

Cannon said he likes to play "off the shoulder" and on the "front foot", adding that Vardy has had a big influence on that.

"He's one of the best at it, if not the best," said Cannon. "Growing up, I used to watch clips of him, and to be there with him in training was a bit mad at first, but you get used to it.

"I became good mates with him but it was good that he was there to learn off and just add little bits from his game into my game. It's only going to improve me."

Image source, Phil Greig (Stoke city)

Stoke City head coach Steven Schumacher says he's excited to start working with Japanese midfielder Tatsuki Seko.

The 26-year-old was Stoke's last signing on transfer deadline day having signed from Kawasaki Frontale on a three -year contract.

Schumacher said he's looking forward to seeing what he can do: "He's someone who we know a little bit less of because he's been playing in the J.League.

"The recruitment team highlighted him and said have a look at this player and see what you think."

He continued, "We said technically he was really good, really calm on the ball a clean passer and in tight games in tight moments he looks like he has an eye for a pass.

"It'll take him a bit of time to settle in and get up to speed, but hopefully he does well."

Who would you pick as your Stoke City midfield? Let us know your thoughts here.

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke City winger Million Manhoef says confidence is growing in the team after back to back away wins.

Manheof has scored three goals in his lhe last two games, helping Stoke beat Middlesbrough in the League Cup and Plymouth Argyle in the Championship.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke the 22-year-old says the team has a lot to build on:

"Even when we lose a game we don't need to get our heads down. We have a goal in front of us and if we lose we have to accept it and continue. I think the confidence though is quiet high."

Manhoef scored in the 1-0 win at Plymouth and celebrated in front of the Stoke supporters. He says they've been brilliant with him since he arrived in the Potteries earlier this year.

"They're great, they help me and the team a lot, keep us going through the hard moments and I love my song."

After an impressive start to the season the Dutchman has been called up to the Netherlands U23's squad for their European qualifiers against Georgia and North Macedonia.

How important is Million Manhoef to this Stoke City team? Let us know here.

'He almost did a Quarterback role'

Listen to the latest edition of A Cold Wet Tuesday Night from BBC Radio Stoke with Lucas Yeomans and George Weaver, AKA Potterlytics.

Latest episode: Stoke City 1-0 Plymouth Argyle

Lucas and George celebrate the win at Home Park while George highlights one of the Potters midfielders.

You can catch up with previous episodes by clicking here.

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke City head coach Steven Schumacher is hoping for some positive news this week concerning Bosun Lawal's injury.

The midfielder signed from signed from Celtic in the summer but hasn't yet been involved in Schumacher's squad.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, Schumacher provided an update on the 20-year-old's situation: "Bosun had another scan and is progressing."

He added, "If the scan comes back all clear then he can step up his work and it will take him a few weeks to get up to speed."

Meanwhile defenders Michael Rose and Enda Stevens are both expected to resume training during the international break.