Stoke City

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Stoke City youngster Tom Sparrow has revealed that he will be leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of June.

As well as playing regularly for the academy, the midfielder also completed development loans at Telford United, Hamilton Academical and Chester.

Taking to his social media, the 21-year-old has confirmed that he's set to move on to a new chapter in the hope of reigniting his career:

"Another season done and the end of my time at Stoke City.

"Joining the club seven years ago at 14 years old and getting through to have had the chance to represent the club in the first team is something I’m extremely proud of and thankful for.

"Thank you to all the players and staff I have worked with that have made it so enjoyable and taught me so much, not only as a footballer but as a person.

"There are some brilliant people who work behind the scenes every day and I’ve made relationships that I will have for a long time."

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Stoke City defender Ben Wilmot has admitted that the support of the fans this season has massively helped to keep the club in the Championship.

The Potters confirmed safety with Saturday's 1-0 win at Southampton, but the 24-year-old says the team might not have survived relegation without the backing of their faithful:

"One of the positives of being in this scrap is that the fans have really come together and decided that they need to get behind us, so the atmosphere at home has been really good.

"We always travel in numbers away, but I feel certainly towards the end of this season, it's been next level. Saturday was unreal, Sheffield Wednesday was unreal.

"I've seen a lot on Twitter [now known as X] about the Wednesday fans saying they were by far the best set of away fans that have been at Hillsborough this season and I'm not surprised because the noise was crazy and it does help us a lot.

"I know players say it all the time, but I don't think fans quite understand how much they can impact a team. We're all really grateful and they've certainly played their part in us being safe."

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Stoke-On-Trent Live reporter Pete Smith believes that Bae Junho and Million Manhoef have started to adjust to the physical nature of Championship football.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, he claimed that the pair are both beginning to understand what it means to represent the Potters:

"There's a stereotype about Stoke which is quite lazy that fans only like to see players who work hard, run for the shirt and put in lots of energy.

"That is right, that's a minimum, but they love a skilful player as well. They love somebody who can embarrass an opponent, and Manhoef and Junho can both do that.

"There was a moment against Middlesbrough where Junho skid someone with his skill and everyone would be up out of their seats. Also, he can throw a centre-back aside with a shoulder barge, and you think, 'Yes, come on!'.

"Those two have got some real grit about them as well as the quality that they've got in their boots. You need both of those ingredients to succeed in the Championship."

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Following Stoke City's 1-0 win at Southampton, Steven Schumacher's side will now be preparing for their final game of the season against Bristol City on Saturday.

Lucas Yeomans is back with Praise and Grumble tonight on BBC Radio Stoke at 18:00 GMT where you can have your say on the club securing Championship safety.

Call the show to give your thoughts on 0800 121 8080 or listen to it online shortly after broadcast here.

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Stoke City's U21's were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle United in the Premier League 2 at the Bet365 Stadium on Friday.

The Magpies went 2-0 up early on through goals from Dylan Stephenson and Kyle Crossley, before Jack Griffiths pulled one back for the Potters.

However, Ryan Shawcross' side went down to nine men after goalkeeper Tommy Simkin and defender Jaden Dixon both received red cards either side of the break.

After being edged out in their final game of the season, the club have failed to qualify for the PL2 elimination play-offs.

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Stoke City defender Ben Wilmot played the full 90 minutes of Saturday's 1-0 win over Southampton at the St. Mary's Stadium.

During his post-match interview with the club, the centre-back gave his assessment of the team's overall performance on the road:

"I thought we should have been 2-0 up at half-time and then obviously defended more in the second half. We still made a handful of really decent chances, so we were certainly worthy of the win and it should have been more.

"The game plan was to get after them. We know they play out and they don't change that so we went as hard as we could and it worked.

"I thought everybody put in a real shift, especially to the end when we were camped on the edge of our box and had to work hard. It was a really pleasing performance and everyone's buzzing for the win."

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The Potters secured a 1-0 win over Southampton on Saturday, with those three points confirming their status in the Championship for another season.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke's Rob Adcock after the game, Steven Schumacher was asked what it means to be the head coach of the club after guiding them to safety:

"It means everything. This is a huge opportunity in my career. I'm a young manager, been doing it two and a half, three seasons.

"To get an opportunity to manage a huge club with such tradition and history is the reason why I left a secure and brilliant job that I loved.

"I've got a clear idea in my mind of how this club improves and what it needs to get out of this bottom half of the Championship. We should not be down here, it's ridiculous.

"These players shouldn't be anywhere near the bottom half of the division. They've gone away to Hull, beat them. Gone away to Leeds, should have got a result. Come away to Southampton and beat them.

"It shows that when we're at it and the mentality is right, we can play. We've got to get the mentality right from day one, not halfway through the season."

You can listen to the full interview here.

• Stoke City have won two of their last three away league games against Southampton (D1), as many as across their 23 such matches combined prior.

• The Saints have won just one of their previous five league games against Steven Schumacher's side (D2 L2), a run which has seen them fail to score on three separate occasions.

• Six of the Potters' last eight second tier goals have been scored by Dutch players (three for Hoever, two for Manhoef, one for Burger). They are one of only two teams in Championship history to have three Dutch scorers in a season, along with Leeds also this term (Struijk, Summerville, Piroe).

• Across his last two Championship campaigns (2020-21 with Blackburn, this season with Southampton), Adam Armstrong has been involved in 42 goals in 42 home appearances (30 goals, 12 assists), assisting a goal in each of his last two at the St Mary’s Stadium.

• Russell Martin's team have scored 54 league goals at home this season, their most in a campaign since scoring 69 goals in 1963-64.

With Stoke City preparing to face Southampton on Saturday, we asked you to send in your score predictions and thoughts on what the outcome of the game could be.

Here are some of the responses we received:

Adrian: We are safe no matter what happens at Southampton. Safe isn't what matters this weekend, what matters is another good team performance and finishing the season strongly. At worst we get a draw, 1-1. Given that Southampton may not want to risk players, or the players on the pitch for them don't want to risk an injury, I have to go for a 2-1 win.

Bill: I think we are nearly safe. One more result will clinch our Championship status for another year. Southampton have nothing to play for except their pride. They are guaranteed a play-off position but can't reach automatic promotion unless they score 40 goals in their last 2 matches. I think we can get something at Southampton. Similarly Bristol.

John: I think Steven Schumacher has to attack with pace and play high into Southampton's half. Attack through the middle and spread the ball out to the wings, always with one eye on the Southampton break out.

Gil: One win doesn't guarantee a second one. Stoke need to play with confidence and energy for 90 minutes. If consistent, success and stability will follow. Hope they pressure Southampton and get a result.

Sean: Definitely not safe, a point is of little use. Either an unlikely, but possible, away win for us, or Huddersfield do us a favour and win... otherwise it goes to the last weekend.

Mark: Southampton are in the play-offs, won't want to risk any injuries. Stoke are pretty much safe with a draw. 1-1.

David: 2-1 to Stoke. Good recruitment with Jon Walters onboard now and we will improve greatly next season.

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Former Stoke City defender Denis Smith believes that Steven Schumacher is the right man to try and take the club back to the Premier League.

The 1972 League Cup winner was full of support for the head coach when speaking at Thursday's Season Card holder event in Ricardo's:

“I look at what he’s doing and I like it. Don’t get me wrong, I always say things I would do differently and I know as a manager myself that everyone thinks they can do the job better than you can!

“It’s a mentality thing, consistently driving internally that you have to train hard and put the graft in to perform well.

“He has got broad shoulders and I know he will have used this period to put the platform down to have a better season next year.”

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Stoke City's U21's will play their final game of the season on Friday when they host Newcastle United in the Premier League 2, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT at the Bet365 Stadium.

The Potters were beaten 3-0 by Leicester City in their previous fixture, so will be looking to bounce back by gaining a positive result against the Magpies.

Ryan Shawcross' side are 17th in the table as it stands, while their opponents are 25th out of 26 teams.

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Ahead of Stoke City's game vs Southampton on Saturday, Steven Schumacher has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference.

The Potters head coach has discussed this weekend's opponents, Jordan Thompson's impressive run of form and the impact the fans could have at the St. Mary's Stadium.

The Saints: "They've been one of the best teams. Their home record is outstanding. We're all aware of how difficult the game is going to be, but if you get your plan right, if you're aggressive and if you can execute your game plan the way you want to, you've got a chance. We've got to go there with that belief that we can get something from this game."

Jordan Thompson: "He's been really consistent, certainly since we've been here. Played in a load of different positions, he's a good character. Having players like that who can be versatile is so beneficial for any squad, but he's shown in the last few months how important he is to the team. He's playing really well. I'm sure he wants to finish the season strong."

Travelling support: "The away fans have been outstanding in every game. Fingers crossed it's sold out and they can get behind the team. The team need to make sure that they perform for them because the last time we went away from home, we didn't, so that'll be the message. We need a better performance than the last one."

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Former Stoke City manager Tony Pulis believes the Coates family will do everything they can to back Steven Schumacher in the summer transfer window.

Speaking to OLBG, external, he said:

“Stoke have one of the best ownership groups in English football. Steven will get the chance to be successful, as all the managers before him had.

“None of them come out of the club criticising the owners. The problem has been behind the scenes regarding their recruitment.

“It's not always about signing the best players, it's about building a strong team and the best players aren't always included in the most successful teams."

The 66-year-old also revealed that he's been in touch with Sporting Director Jonathan Walters about the profile of player the club should target moving forward:

“I've spoken to Jonathan Walters and I've got a lot of respect for him.

“He's a good example of what Stoke needs to recruit as we had Jon or Mamady Sidibe behind Ricardo Fuller, whose strength was not running around!

“You need to sign players that suit the team as Jon and Mama were both unselfish and would never stop working.”

Stoke City travel to Southampton on Saturday as they aim to secure a victory at the home of the promotion-chasing Saints.

The Potters head into this game off the back of a 3-0 win against Plymouth Argyle, so they will be hoping to replicate the same outcome this weekend.

Do you think Steven Schumacher's side are safe from relegation regardless of the result at the St. Mary's Stadium or would you like more points on the board?

Get involved by sending us your score predictions and thoughts using the online form here.

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Ahead of Saturday's game against Southampton, BBC Radio Stoke have been speaking to Saints Statistics to discuss which of their players could pose the biggest threat for the Potters:

"Che Adams has a very tenuous relationship with the Southampton fans. He has been the greatest player in the world at some points, he's also the player who gets the most mud thrown for the failures of last season.

"Whenever he does leave us, there will be some amazing compilations of his time at Southampton, but he is in the form of his life at the moment.

"He's playing for that new contract, so if there was a player I'd be worried about from a Stoke perspective, it would be Che Adams.

"Adam Armstrong is ever-present, but he's out of form. David Brooks is an amazing player and could tear you apart, or he could have a game like he did against Cardiff and be silent.

"A player that you have experience with, Will Smallbone, is also in incredible form and I wouldn't be surprised if I saw him on the scoresheet."

When asked for their score prediction after the 5-0 defeat to Leicester City, they added:

"If we had a hangover, it would be tighter, it would be nervy. I would go for a 2-1 or a 1-1."

You can listen to the full interview here.

Stoke City are reportedly considering a move to sign Rotherham United goalkeeper Viktor Johansson in the summer transfer window.

The Millers are confirmed to be playing in League One next season, meaning that the 25-year-old is likely to leave the New York Stadium.

The Potters are set to make an offer for the Swedish stopper who is believed to have a £1m relegation clause included in his contract.

(Alan Nixon, external)

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Potters head coach Steven Schumacher named Luke Cundle in his starting line-up for Saturday's 3-0 win over Plymouth Argyle.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, Dan Buxton from the 'Every Step Along The Way, external' podcast heaped praise on the midfielder for his impressive display at the Bet365 Stadium:

"That was far, far away his best game in a Stoke shirt. He really showed us what the best of Luke Cundle is.

"The game suited him and he was obviously up for it. Whether it was because it was Plymouth or whether it was his goal last week, everything just fell into place for that performance on Saturday.

"If he can produce that, if that's going to be his level, I'd like to see him back here again."

Would you like to sign Cundle on a permanent basis? Leave your comments here.

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Stoke City head coach Steven Schumacher joined the club from Plymouth Argyle in December, and last weekend, he was able to beat his former team 3-0.

We recently asked you to send us your thoughts on the job that he's done since his arrival.

Here are some of the responses that we received:

Chris: Seems a good man manager. Took all of 5 minutes to realise Bae Junho is our best footballer which Alex Neil did not. Perhaps overcomplicated things in some games with too many changes, however it’s nice to see players looking as though they have actually been coached and know their jobs.

Adrian: The writing is on the wall. This time, the writing is of the potential Stoke can have under Steven. There are signs of a real team developing and next season is one of realistic potential to make a push well up the league and also play entertaining football. Steven is doing well and needs to be backed.

Steve: He’s tried to keep himself and us thinking with a level head. We can lose games but don’t get too negative about it. As long as we believe the team’s progressing, try and enjoy the journey.

Digby: Trying to keep track from the Gulf with what he has done. He looks to have the one thing that has been missing from the leadership for years - passion for the game.

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Stoke City midfielder Jordan Thompson made his 150th appearance for the Potters on Saturday in the 3-0 win over Plymouth Argyle.

Speaking during his post-match interview with the club's website, the 27-year-old said he was delighted to have reached this milestone:

"Massive. I actually didn't know about it until the other day during the week, someone mentioned it. Very, very proud to get 150 for this club."

When asked how the team can replicate the performance shown last weekend heading into their final two fixtures, Thompson added:

"We know the talent is there, it was just trying to get everything to click. We've done the basics really well which we haven't done enough throughout the season, we need to keep that going. We want to try and get maximum points."

How good do you think Thompson has been this season? Should he be offered a new contract in the summer?

Let us know your thoughts here.

It's been a long season for Stoke City fans, but following their 3-0 home win over Plymouth, supporters are starting to believe their team will avoid Championship relegation.

These are just some of the comments from the Potters faithful who called BBC Radio Stoke's Praise and Grumble show.

Ian - We got a really good performance for 90 minutes, everybody put a shift in, they did the ugly thing and rolled their sleeves up, we got stuck in, won every 50/50, we played some lovely football, it was good to watch. It's not mathematical (safety) but looking at the fixtures we're virtually there now.

Dave - You're starting to feel that Stoke are playing the type of football, the best football that we've probably seen for the last six years and that's saying something isn't it. We're seeing a better style of football, more attacking football.

Darren - We had 23 shots on goal, when was the last time we had that? What a weekend we had. 3-0 and dominated the game and took the pressure off going to Southampton.

Andrew - Bae Junho is brilliant. His feet are mesmeric when he takes players on. Good on Steven Schumacher for sticking to his guns and picking the team who he thought could win the game.

How do you feel about the job Steven Schumacher has done since his arrival in December? Send us your comments here.