Stoke City

BBC Radio Stoke commentator, Sohail Sahi, gives his thoughts on Stoke City's FA Cup game vs Brighton on Saturday and reveals whether he believes the hosts can gain a positive result at the Bet365 Stadium:

"A word on Stoke’s opposition Brighton. When you look at what they’ve achieved, it’s their seventh consecutive season in the top flight, it’s very similar to Stoke’s run in the Premier League and this season they are playing in Europe for the very first time."

"Both clubs came face to face in last season’s competition, it was the fifth round that day with Evan Ferguson scoring the only goal of the game for the visitors, and looking back at Stoke’s eleven, we will see a completely new style of play tomorrow afternoon."

"Roberto De Zerbi , the manager of Brighton, has done a remarkable job since taking over from Graham Potter and it will be fun to watch how head coach Steven Schumacher deals with De Zerbi ball as it’s known."

Stoke City have confirmed their first new signing of the transfer window in the form of Leicester City goalkeeper Daniel Iversen, with Steven Schumacher successfully bringing his target to the Bet365 Stadium.

The Foxes shot-stopper has put pen to paper on loan until the end of the season after agreeing to join the club, which will likely see him take the number one spot and replace Jack Bonham between the sticks.

The Denmark international is yet to appear in any competition this season, though his game time is almost certain to increase following his fresh move until the conclusion of the current campaign.

• Stoke City and Brighton and Hove Albion are meeting for the second consecutive season in the FA Cup, with the Seagulls winning 1-0 away from home in the fifth round last campaign.

• In this same fixture back in February 2023, both teams recorded three shots on target, though it was the visiting goalkeeper, Jason Steele, who had one extra save to make to deny the hosts.

• Roberto De Zerbi's side have won just one of their past 18 away games against the Potters in all competitions (D8, L9).

• The Bet365 Stadium outfit have lost their past eight FA Cup matches against Premier League opponents, ever since they beat Bolton Wanderers 5-0 in the 2010/11 semi-final.

• Brighton have lost just one of their past seven FA Cup third-round ties (1-0 v Sheffield Wednesday in 2019/20), reaching the semi-finals during the previous term.

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Stoke City have received a huge boost after learning that Tyrese Campbell has returned to full team training, although Steven Schumacher has confirmed that he isn't yet ready to stage his comeback against Brighton in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, the head coach said: "Tyrese Campbell trained today, his first session with us. It was good to have him back. It was his first session with the group so it’s probably too soon for him to be involved for the weekend but he looked nice and sharp. We’ll build him up over the next few days and hopefully get him prepared for Rotherham."

The Potters also have Ben Pearson and Mehdi Leris who are both expected to be available for selection against the Seagulls, with the former missing a recent training session and the latter having completed his 12-day concussion protocol.

However, Josh Laurent, Lynden Gooch and Enda Stevens are still ruled out of the action, with the trio all looking to return to the grass as soon as possible. (Stoke On Trent Live, external)

Stoke City have been linked with the £2million signing of Wolves midfielder Luke Cundle. The 21 year old has impressed in the first half of the season whilst on loan at Championship Plymouth Argyle, where Steven Schumacher was previously manager, scoring four goals and securing five assists so far this campaign. (The Express & Star, external)

The Potters are also understood to be closing in on the signing of Leicester City goalkeeper Daniel Iversen, with the shot-stopper reportedly undergoing a medical on Friday morning having agreed a loan move until the end of the season. (Football Insider, external)

Over the summer, Stoke City signed 19 fresh faces in a complete squad overhaul by former manager Alex Neil, but with Steven Schumacher now at the helm and ready to start making his first new signings, the head coach has been speaking about the possibility of dipping into the market in the coming weeks.

"I need to assess what we've got, make sure that we're not kind of careless with what we're doing, so that will be the focus."

"I think I've made it clear, it was a big turnaround in the summer, it's going to take time for them players to gel, especially the lads who have not played in this country before."

"It takes time to learn the language and get to know the intensity of this league so as I say, we need to be patient and stay calm with everyone, and hopefully as I say, add to the squad if we can, where needed, but still believe in the players that we've got here as well that can do a good job."

Stoke City host Brighton and Hove Albion in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm UK time.

Steven Schumacher will be hoping that his outfit can progress to the next stage of the competition and look to gain payback on their opponents, with the Seagulls having secured a 1-0 victory the last time the two sides met back in February 2023.

Do you think the Potters will be able to get a win over the line this time around?

Have your say here

With Stoke City set to embark on their FA Cup journey when they host Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, Steven Schumacher has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference to discuss the game itself and whether he will make any new signings before the end of January.

"I love the FA Cup. I've had one real big experience of it away at Chelsea a couple of seasons ago and loved it. It was brilliant and we are playing another huge team from the Premier League so it's one that you can't take lightly."

"I've got my ideas of what type of player I would like to work with. Obviously, there's been a recruitment process in place anyway since the last window shut, but as I've said before, it's important that we get the recruitment right, we don't rush into things and make rash decisions just because there's a certain player or whatever that I might want to bring in."

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The summer transfer window of the 2016/17 season will most likely be remembered for the big money arrivals of two players who had quite contrasting careers at the Bet365 stadium. Joe Allen, who signed for £13million from Liverpool and made over 200 appearances for the club, and Saido Berahino. Berahino cost a reported £12million when he joined from West Brom, but failed to live up to that price tag, scoring just five goals in 56 games for the Potters.

But another arrival that summer was talented forward Ramadan Sobhi. Sobhi joined for around £5million from Egyptian giants Al-Ahly, and most Stoke fans could be forgiven for knowing very little about him.

He made his debut during the club's first home game of the season, coming off the bench against Manchester City in a 4-1 loss. Although he'd have to wait until November before earning his first start, away at West Ham.

Sobhi's first season in English football wasn't particularly memorable, making just 19 appearances without registering a goal. His second season however, showed slight improvement. Before the season started, the Egpytian international signed a long-term contract extension, and scored his first goal for the club soon after, in the first round of the League Cup against Rochdale. Sobhi finished the season having made 27 appearances scoring three goals and rounded the year off representing Egypt at the World Cup in Russia.

That was to be the last Stoke fans would see of Ramadan Sobhi in a red and white shirt. With the Potters relegated from the Premier League, the Egyptian was sold to Huddersfield Town for a fee of around £5.7million.

His time in Yorkshire wasn't particularly successful, as he made just four substitute appearances before he returned to Egypt, where he is still playing today.

After spending the second half of the 2018/19 season on loan at the club where it all began for him, Al Ahly, Sobhi signed for Pyramids FC in 2020.

Although Pyramids only came in to being in 2008, they've established themselves as one of the top clubs in the Egpytian Premier League, finishing runners-up in the last two years, with Ramadan Sobhi playing a huge part in their success.

Stoke City have been linked with Inter Miami left-back Noah Allen as Steven Schumacher enters his first transfer window in charge at the Bet365 Stadium.

The United States international is an academy graduate at his boyhood club, where having been promoted to the first-team fold, has made a total of 36 senior appearances to date.

With Enda Stevens currently out on the sidelines through injury, the new Potters boss could understandably want to bolster his ranks in this particular position over the coming weeks. (Stoke On Trent Live, external)

Stoke City have been linked with Leicester's back-up goalkeeper, Daniel Iversen as their search for competition for Jack Bonham continues.

The 26 year old Dane is yet to play for the Championship leaders this campaign, but did make 12 appearances for the Foxes in the Premier League last season. (Stoke on Trent Live, external)

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Former Stoke City captain and club legend, Denis Smith gives his thoughts on the Potters start under head coach, Steven Schumacher:

"I'm pleased. He's unbeaten, which is brilliant. Any manager wants to start that way, because that gives confidence to the players, but it also gets the fans on side quickly. So going through the opening games unbeaten is brilliant, and the performances have highlighted certain aspects that he has [Steven Schumacher] put together that has made it look as though these players are getting to know one another, and know what is needed.

Results matter. Not only to the fans but massively to the players, especially when you've only just come in to the club, and most of these players are new to the club. So they've got to get the fans believing in them, they're desperate to do well, but when you're desperate, you tend to try to overachieve instead of getting down to the basics, and the basic things are being done well now.

The only people who matter in a professional football club are the players and the fans, everything else works around that. Everybody wants to talk about managers, coaches, directors, the important thing is the relationship between the players and the fans. The manager wants those people enjoying each other's company, and that means performing on the field and giving them [the fans] something that they can come and relax and enjoy. And at the moment they're enjoying it. You can see, if you go to the local pub, that the atmosphere is different straightaway because of the last few results".

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Stoke City face Premier League Brighton in the FA Cup this weekend for the second year in a row. The Potters may have lost last season, but historically they've fared well against the Seagulls. In fact, last year's 1-0 loss was the first time Stoke had lost to Brighton in over 20 years.

So let's take a look back at one of the Potters many wins in this fixture, a 5-1 victory on the final day of the 2005-06 season.

That year was a historic one for the Potters, for many reasons. At the start of the season, the clubs Icelandic owners sacked then manager Tony Pulis and replaced him with Johan Boskamp, who lasted just the one season before Peter Coates bought the club back from Gunnar Gislason, who he'd sold it to six years previously, and re-hired Tony Pulis.

But in a season of drama, that included managerial bust ups and club record signing Sammy Bangoura failing to return from the Africa Cup of Nations, at least the Potters faithful were treated to the club's biggest win ever over Brighton, on the final day of the campaign.

Stoke travelled to the Withdean off the back of three straight defeats, but knew that a positive result wasn't unlikely against a Brighton side who were rock bottom of the Championship and had already been relegated to League One.

The travelling Stoke fans weren't disappointed. A hattrick from Adam Rooney, the youngest player to do so at the time for the club, as well as goals from Mama Sidibe and Peter Sweeney had the visitors coasting to victory, before future Port Vale captain Doug Loft scored a late consolation goal as Stoke ran out 5-1 winners.

After the game, it was confirmed that Johan Boskamp would be leaving the club. He told the BBC: "I'm not sad, but disappointed to leave but football goes on and I think Stoke have a great future."

Two months later, Tony Pulis returned to take charge at Stoke City and just two years later, guided the Potters to Premier League promotion.

Maybe Johan Boskamp was right, after all.

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Stoke City podcaster, Ben Rowley from the YYY-Files shares his opinions on the club's transfer policy and whether they're right to replicate the models of the likes of Brighton and Brentford.

"Where money is crucial, particularly in the Championship, you have to generate as much revenue as possible. With the TV deals, how they currently are, you're not going to fill your stadium, you're not going to get much overseas interest in terms of merchandise, you're going to generate your funds through your transfer fees.

You've got to be able to sell your best players if you don't think you're going to go up, and I think that we've shown that we are going to sell players that are going to be better than us soon. Wouter Burger I think, in one or two years if we don't go up, he will certainly be a Premier League player.

Some players might take a bit longer, like Bae Junho and Nikola Jojic who we've not seen much of, may take two or three or five years to get to the upper echelons of European football, but I think they'll get there eventually, if they get the game time.

The rest of the signings have been pretty low risk in terms of the fees shelled out, so you would imagine that over the next couple of years we're going to make a huge profit on these players. Then it's about, rather than just having to make free transfers and loans, we are going to be able to sign players for maybe a couple of million pounds. And that's what we need, because at the moment we're having to flesh out the squad with bodies."

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On this day: 3 January 2017

Stoke ended a five-game winless run in the Premier League with victory over Watford to move up to 11th in the table.

Goals either side of half time from Ryan Shawcross and Peter Crouch secured all three points for the Potters at Vicarage Road.

The 2016/17 season proved to be a slightly disappointing one for Stoke City, as after three consecutive 9th placed finishes in the Premier League, they would go on to finish 13th, before being relegated to the Championship the following season.

Steven Schumacher says his first two weeks as head coach of Stoke City have been "tough".

Schumacher only took over on the 19 December, but thanks to the hectic fixture schedule over the festive period, he has already been in the dug-out for four games.

Despite the quick turnaround since joining the Potters, the new head coach is undefeated. With his Stoke side most recently picking up a hard-fought draw against promotion chasing Ipswich Town.

The Potters are next in action in the FA Cup third round, against Premier League Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday 6 January.

You can hear full match commentary of that game live on BBC Radio Stoke.

We asked you what a successful January transfer window would look like for Stoke City. What areas of the pitch need strengthening, who you'd like to bring in and who needs to leave.

Here's what you had to say:

Dan - We are in desperate need of a prolific, or even a semi-prolific number nine. We also need to strengthen at centre back and left back. And we really need to sign a permanent, first choice goalkeeper.

Hosser - We need a quality keeper as strong competition for Bonham and a commanding centre half and left back. Clarke-Harris from Peterborough would be a good acquisition in our search for a 15+ goals a season striker too. To be fair to Alex Neil he brought in some decent players, but there are still areas we have to improve to push us right up the table.

Oliver - Stoke have never liked signing left backs, but it's imperative that they do this window. A goalkeeper is also needed. I'd like to see the young lads given a chance instead of Dwight Gayle, who's scoring record is atrocious.

Brian - We need a striker, the two we bought in the summer are not up to it.

Stoke City signed 19 players in the summer, but with Steven Schumacher now in charge and the January transfer window open, can we expect more signings through the door? Should some players leave? What does a successful January transfer window look like for Stoke City?

Have your say here

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Stoke City technical director, Ricky Martin has told BBC Radio Stoke that ultimately he and first team coach, Steven Schumacher will have the final say on any signings this transfer window.

The Potters signed 19 players in the summer when Alex Neil was in charge, but as Schumacher enters his first transfer window with the club he'll no doubt want to add to the Stoke squad.

So who's responsible for finding and signing the players? The clubs technical director, Ricky Martin says it's a team effort:

"Recruitment going forwards will always be led up by the recruitment team, which I support. They're one of the departments that fall under myself, so we will lead the process.

You can imagine a lot of players get put forward to us and there's a lot of recommendations, so we will go through the reports, the data and then we'll create profiles and they'll then be presented to the head coach and his team"

So who has the final say when it comes to new signings? Martin says ultimately, it's him and head coach Steven Schumacher:

"Not every one case can be the same answer. Sometimes there will be a great opportunity for a young player that if we go in and invest now we are getting someone that maybe in 12 to 18 months we might not be able to afford. So it's an investment for the future.

Or we might need someone here now, to be ready and play Saturday, Tuesday, non-negotiable. So each case will have a different rationale behind it, sometimes Steven [Schumacher] will say 'this is what I really feel the squad needs', and that's what we've got to go and find."

Image source, BBC Sport

New Stoke City head coach Steven Schumacher is yet to lose since he took over from Alex Neil last month. A 0-0 draw against promotion chasing Ipswich Town on New Year’s Day means that it’s four games without a loss under the new boss.

Lifelong season ticket holder and BBC Radio Stoke summariser, Angela Smith has been sharing her thoughts on the turnaround under Steven Schumacher:

"I think he is getting a tune out of players that a lot of people thought weren’t going to do well for Stoke.

Bae Junho has been a different class, Wouter Burger and Hoever have done ok. Junior Tchamadeu, who wasn’t getting a look in before, is now playing better.

I do wonder if Daniel Johnson has much more of a future at Stoke, as well as one or two others, but I do think Stoke have done really since Steven Schumacher has come in.

And the most important thing for the fans is, it’s exciting, it’s entertaining and everyone is working as a team".

Stoke City head coach Steven Schumacher says that Jordan Thompson's sending off against Ipswich Town was "unnecessary" and "spoiled the game".

Schumacher told BBC Radio Stoke that he "felt it was a little bit unnecessary from the referee, but he made his decision and that made the game more difficult for us"

Despite the man disadvantage Stoke held on for a 0-0 draw against second in the table Ipswich, a result which takes the Potters unbeaten run under Steven Schumacher to four games.