Stoke City

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After Narcís Pèlach described Tatsuki Seko as 'exceptional' you've been giving us your thoughts on the Japanese midfielder.

Dean - Really got something we have been crying out for. Hopefully him coming in the side will see a change in results and we fly up the table.

Steve - Having watched the Derby game I can honestly say that’s the first time in a long time I felt like we couldn’t lose. We seemed more composed, particularly after the own goal. Burger is back dictating in midfield and Stevens looked a threat. Tchamadeu showed some decent skills and overall we looked a lot more balanced.

Bob - Brilliant addition in respect of energy and attitude.

Paul - Tatsuki provides energy, pace and drive to compliment Junho. I totally agree with the manager's thoughts about Tatsuki's respectful attitude. Many could learn from him. Good luck Tatsuki

Connor - Stoke City are a team who I believe are more than capable of challenging for the play-offs, but inconsistency has been the issue for years and hopefully Narcis Pelach implements that into the team because they’ve got some cracking players. If Pelach can get a style that fits Stoke then they will do well

Adrian - Seko will be a major asset to Stoke, but fans have to understand the lack of football time he has had in the last 3 months. We don't want to put too much on him at this early stage and lose his future forever.

Do you agree? Let us know your thoughts here., external

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke City head coach Narcis Pelach admits he has been incredibly impressed with Japanese midfielder Tatsuki Seko.

The 26-year-old joined the Potters in the summer and started his first two games against Southampton and Derby County.

Pelach told BBC Radio Stoke that Seko's attitude has been first-class.

"Seko has been exceptional, you don't find many players like Tatsuki. He's a great example of a teammate and the culture and character he has.

"He has not been playing under me until Southampton and he never knocked on my door, he respected my space and never asked why, he just went to training and did the best he could."

The Potters head coach went on to say that he has to manage Seko carefully given his lack of football over the last 3 months.

"Of course I have to be cautious because he is a good player and I really feel like he can give us a lot. He will represent the values of Stoke City very well, I want players like that."

What do you think about Tatsuki Seko? Let us know here, external.

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Stoke City will aim to pick up their second away win of the Championship season when they visit Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday night. Narcis Pelach’s side have won one of their past five games (D3, L1), while Rovers are without a win in three (D1, L2).

• Blackburn completed a league double over Stoke last season and are looking for three wins in a row against them for the first time since a run of five between 1988 and 2008.

• After going eight league games unbeaten at Ewood Park between 2009 and 2022, Stoke City lost 3-1 there last season.

• Blackburn’s Tyrhys Dolan scored twice in that match - the first time he had done so in the league.

• Blackburn have not won a midweek league game since a 2-1 win over Bristol City in December 2023 (D3, L4 since), failing to score in six of those seven games.

• Stoke have failed to win or score in each of their past four away league games (D1, L3). The Potters have not gone five successive league games on the road without scoring outside the top-flight since August 1997 (a run of nine).

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

Stoke City will look to extend their undefeated run to five games when they take on Sheffield United on Saturday. Narcís Pèlach's side have picked up six points from a possible 12.

• Sheffield United have won six of their last 10 home league games against Stoke City (D2 L2), winning each of the last two.

• The home team has won each of the last four league meetings between Sheffield United and Stoke City.

• Sheffield United have won their last four home league games without conceding and could win five a row at Bramhall Lane while also keeping a clean sheet in each victory for the first time since March 2019 (7).

• Stoke City have failed to score in their last three away league games (D1 L2), last going goalless in four successive away matches in the same season in April 2017 in the Premier League.

• Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is unbeaten in six previous league meetings with Stoke City (W2 D4) with AFC Wimbledon (12) the only team he has faced more often in league matches without losing as a manager.

Stoke City let a two goal lead slip at home to Bristol City on Tuesday night to draw 2-2.

In the latest episode of BBC Radio Stoke's 'A Cold Wet Tuesday Night' podcast, Lucas Yeomans and George Weaver (aka Potterlytics) discuss what went wrong and the heroics of Viktor Johansson in the Potters goal.

"I think we got away with it with the help of Viktor Johansson, he made some world class saves."

Listen to the full episode here.

Image source, Rex Features

Stoke City's Andrew Moran says the Potters cannot afford to give away any more leads as they bid to adjust to life under new boss Narcis Pelach.

The Potters have twice dropped points from leading positions in Pelach's first six games in charge, which largely accounts for the fact they have picked up just six points out of a possible 18 during his tenure.

On-loan Brighton midfielder Moran was missing when Stoke threw away a half-time lead to lose 3-1 at home to Hull in Pelach's first game in charge on 20 September.

But he scored the second goal to put Stoke 2-0 up against Bristol City on Tuesday night, only to then see the visitors net twice in two minutes early in the second half to nick a 2-2 draw.

"It was a good start - and it was great to score again but, in the second half, we started the other way, so we really need to work on that," Moran said.

"The manager was getting us fired up and warning us that the game was not over, but we were just a bit sloppy and let them get on the front foot - and it feels like a loss, having put ourselves in such a great position."

The Potters dropped a place to 17th in the Championship as a result of letting that lead slip - but they have a quick chance to make amends when they head to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United on Saturday.

"I can't see why not," Moran said. "If we put in a good performance.

"It's Saturday/Tuesday/Saturday/Tuesday every week now until the next international break. But that's what we want. He [Pelach] has got us really organised. He's really detailed in his preparations. And we'd rather be playing matches."

Stoke City return from the international break looking to pick up where they left off.

The Potters are undefeated in their last two matches and face promotion chasing Norwich City at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday.

Stoke have won four of their last six at home in the Championship and will be looking for their first win over the Canaries since 2018.

Head coach Narcís Pèlach told BBC Radio Stoke how he's trying to build consistency and momentum.

Michael Rose has started the last two Championship matches for Stoke City, two games which the Potters have not lost.

On Saturday they take on Norwich City at the Bet365 Stadium after spending a fortnight on the training ground.

The 29-year-old defender says it's been two weeks well spent getting to understand what head coach Narcís Pèlach wants.

Rose told BBC Radio Stoke how he has benefited from the international break and working more closely with Pèlach.