Stoke City

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Sunderland looked virtually unstoppable until November - but the early-season front runners have now dropped to fourth place after failing to win any of their six games during the past month.

The Black Cats, who were beaten 1-0 by new leaders Sheffield United last weekend, need to rediscover the winning habit at home to Stoke City as they bid to make up ground.

Stoke, who are 14th in the table, began last month with successive wins against Derby and Blackburn but have since lost momentum, registering three consecutive draws prior to a 2-0 defeat against Burnley.

● Sunderland have lost four of their last six league games against Stoke (W2), losing those matches by a combined score line of 12-3.

● Stoke have won two of their last three away league games against Sunderland (L1), as many victories as across their prior 24 such matches combined beforehand (D9 L13).

● Sunderland are one of only three sides without a win in the Championship since the start of November (D5 L1), with the Black Cats scoring the joint-fewest goals in that time (3).

● Stoke are winless in their last four league games (D3 L1), and could fail to score in three successive league matches for the first time since November 2023.

● Only Sheffield United (65 minutes 01 seconds) have been trailing for less time in the Championship this season than Sunderland (104:37). The Black Cats have only gone behind in one home league game this season, a 2-2 draw with Leeds in October.

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Stoke City captain Ben Gibson says the side cannot just rely on their forwards to score goals.

The Potters have only managed two goals in their past four games and have drawn a blank in matches against Preston and Burnley.

"It's not just on the forwards, just as it isn't with the defenders when we keep clean sheets because we should have goals all around the team," Gibson told BBC Radio Stoke.

"It's something we need to address. We'll work really hard this week, have long meetings about it and find ways to score more goals."

Tom Cannon is Stoke's leading marksman with seven of their 19 Championship goals but they are the joint-fourth lowest scorers in the division this season.

"Tom's been fantastic for us, we have to find more goals to support him and also give him more chances."

Stoke are 14th in the Championship and visit fourth-placed Sunderland on Saturday.

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Stoke City boss Narcis Pelach has welcomed the return of Lynden Gooch to his squad.

The USA international defender was an unused substitute in their 2-0 defeat by Burnley on Saturday having been sidelined for nearly two months because of a medial ligament injury.

"It's good to have another player recover and it's the first time I've seen him training as since I've been here he's been injured," Pelach told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I'm pleased to have him back and it's good to have another option."

Pelach is also hopeful of having Sam Gallagher and Bosun Lawal available sooner rather than later.

Defender Lawal has failed to make a single first team appearance since signing from Celtic in August after a medical revealed he had a stress fracture in his back.

Meanwhile, forward Gallagher has played only three Championship games after signing from Blackburn Rovers in August before picking-up a calf injury against Swansea in early October.

"Sam and Bosun are getting close - they're going to do some training with the team but not full training, it will be modified and hopefully we'll have them soon," added Pelach.

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It is one of the most eagerly anticipated dates in the football calendar as Premier League and Championship clubs join the FA Cup action from round three.

The draw will take place on Monday, 2 December from 19:00 GMT and can be watched live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

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Stoke City head coach Narcis Pelach says the way they defend is the reason they are facing so many shots this season, but would also like to reduce the workload on goalkeeper Viktor Johansson.

Only Plymouth Argyle (17.6) average more shots conceded than Stoke (15.8) in the Championship but Pelach has revealed it is partly down to the way they approach games.

"We defend the space rather than the man and when you do that you allow the opposition to have possession in front of you but theoretically it doesn't hurry you because you always have 11 men behind the ball," the Potters head coach told BBC Radio Stoke

"I prefer this because if you press all the time and go man for man they get more one v ones against your goalkeeper.

"In the way we defend, we concede more corners than other teams, more shots than others but you always give your goalkeeper a chance to save it."

As a result, Stoke goalkeeper Johannsson is one of the busiest in the Championship, leading the division for total saves with 67.

"Viktor is playing really well and that's why I employed (goalkeeping coach) Paul Clements because the way I coach outfield players relates very well to how he coaches the goalkeepers," Pelach added.

"Everything we do is connected - when the defensive line is doing one thing, Viktor is doing one thing in the goal. No one sees it but it's all connected.

"I expect a great season for Viktor and he will have to perform because we concede shots - I want to concede fewer but it takes time and it will go down step by step."

Stoke are at home to promotion chasing Burnley in the Championship on Saturday.

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Stoke City head coach, Narcis Pelach is demanding even more from his top scorer, Tom Cannon.

The on-loan Leicester forward has scored eight goals in all competitions this season, seven of them in the Championship including four in one game against Portsmouth.

"He struggled for the first four weeks [when I came in] because I think it was a shock for him to see what our strategy is," Pelach told BBC Radio Stoke.

"He took a lot of things on board but there are still things I want him to do better and we had a conversation after the QPR match about how we can move him to the next level."

Cannon will line-up on Tuesday against Preston - a team he spent time on loan with in 2023, scoring eight goals in 19 league starts.

"My expectations with Tom are high - he scored eight goals with Preston but for me this number isn't going to be anything until it gets much higher than seven so let's see if we can get him to the next level because it will be good for him and the team."

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Stoke City have lost just one of their last nine games (W3 D5) following a 1-1 draw at QPR on Saturday and are six points off the play-off spots ahead of Tuesday night's clash with Preston North End.

The Lilywhites drew 1-1 at Derby at the weekend and are winless in their last six (D4 L2). Paul Heckingbottom's side are also yet to win away from home this season.

• Stoke City are looking to win consecutive league games against Preston for the first time since a run of four between 1992 and 1998.

• The away team has won the last five league matches between Stoke and Preston and are unbeaten in the last nine meetings between the sides (W7 D2).

• Stoke are unbeaten in their last six league games on home soil (W2 D3); the Potters last enjoyed a longer run in October 2021 (6 games – W5 D1).

• Preston are winless in their last 12 league games on the road (D4 L8), conceding exactly three goals in seven of their last 10 such games.

• Preston's Brad Potts has scored in two of his four visits to the bet365 Stadium in the EFL, netting in January 2019 and January 2022.

Stoke City boss Narcis Pelach said he was satisfied to take a point following his side's 1-1 draw at Queens Park Rangers.

The Potters are now unbeaten in their last four matches, picking up eight points out of a possible 12, and the Spaniard is happy with the progress which has seen his side jump up into the top half of the Championship table.

"I’m pleased with the point because I know how difficult it is to compete in every single game in the Championship," Pelach told BBC Radio Stoke.

"We went to play QPR away and it was about standing up and competing very well - we knew they were going to put pressure on us.

"They have a lot of need but I think we showed the same and this is something very important to me because I want my team to value every single moment, every single game, every single point, and I think we showed that togetherness.

"We take the point and we go into the next one."

Bae Jun-Ho thought he had scored the winning goal late on for the visitors but was adjudged to have handled the ball and Pelach remained tight-lipped on the incident after the match.

"I don't want to go into it because it teaches my players a culture I don't like," he added.

"I don't want to go into the excuses game, it is what it is."

Ahead of Saturday's trip to QPR the Stoke City head coach, Narcís Pèlach, has said he's ready to get back to Championship football.

The international break has meant that this weekend will be the first game in two weeks for some clubs.

In an interview with BBC Radio Stoke, Pèlach said he's looking forward to getting back to league action:

"It was good to be off and switch off a little bit, it was a good time for us to coach and review.

"It's been a very intensive week but I feel it's a good balance now. We've demanded more and more. I know the Championship and when Christmas comes it gets very busy, but we have to make sure we are healthy and full of energy for the things that are coming now"

Coverage of Stoke City away at QPR is on BBC Radio Stoke from 14:00 GMT

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Stoke City head coach Narcis Pelach wants to see Ben Wilmot continue to develop despite the defender having made more than 100 appearances for the club.

Normally a centre-back, Wilmot has found himself utilised as a right-back this season and Pelach has been impressed with how he has adapted.

"He's 25 now and it's a moment where he can explode and I don't imagine Stoke City without him," Pelach told BBC Radio Stoke.

Stoke head into Saturday's Championship match at QPR with just one defeat from their past eight league games.

"It's good to have players who can play different positions so now Ben has a feeling he can play right-back," Pelach added.

"Against Borja Sainz (Norwich) - the best winger in the league - he had no problem so after this he is ready to be a right-back in the Championship and I want him to be ambitious and make more steps."

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Bottom side QPR are on a run of 11 games without victory (D5 L6) and welcome a Stoke City team who have lost just one of their last eight (W3 D4) to Loftus Road on Saturday.

The Hoops have only won once so far this season and are five points adrift at the bottom, while the Potters are four points clear of the drop zone and six off the play-offs.

• QPR have won just two of their last six league games against Stoke City (D1 L3), failing to score in four of those matches.

• Stoke City have won just one of their last seven away league games against QPR (D4 L2), with both of their losses across that time coming via a 4-2 scoreline.

• QPR have spent just 5.2% of their Championship matches leading this season, 9% fewer than any other side (Plymouth second-fewest with 14.3%).

• Stoke City have lost just one of their last eight Championship matches (W3 D4), having lost five of their previous six games before this run.

• No player has more Championship assists this season than Stoke's Bae Jun-Ho (5), with three of those assists coming from corners, the joint most of any player along with Derby's Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.

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Stoke City are back in training ready for Saturday's trip to QPR. Narcís Pèlach's side are looking to win back to back away league games for the first time this season.

Sporting Director Jon Walters has said the club is moving in the right direction and you've been letting us know how you feel about that:

Ann - Jonathan Walters knows the club the city and the supporters. He has been instrumental in changing the ethos at Stoke - which hasn’t been a positive one since relegation. He’s giving us back an identity.

Michael -John Walters is making big footballing decisions with no experience

Gary - The jury is still out! We need to get the ball forward quicker. Too many sideways backwards passes. Reminds me of Tony Mowbray when he was at WBA, 90% possession in his own half.

Mick - Not bad at the moment but we need to sign some of these loan players up permanently come January.

Dave - Super Jon was criticised when he sacked Steven Schumacher, but Narcís Pèlach is a much better coach and now the results are showing that. Walters helped bring in Victor Johansson, Tom Cannon, Andrew Moran and Lewis Koumas, all great signings that have got us excited.

Will - There have been so many "false dawns" over the last seven years so it is too early to judge. At least the current set up seems different to the "rinse and repeat" cycles we have seen with previous managerial appointments.

Andy - All sounds good hopefully going in the right direction only time will tell.

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Stoke City's Sporting Director Jon Walters has been outlining his plans for the rest of the Championship season.

The former Potters forward returned to the club in February as interim Technical Director, but became full-time Sporting Director in April.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, Walters said he's feeling positive about the direction in which the club is heading:

"Every player is loving it, the staff are loving it, in my eyes we are heading in the right direction.

"Things are developing in the right way, we've lost one in the last eight, we've ran more than anyone in every metric across the pitch."

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