Stoke City

• When Stoke and Birmingham came face to face in the reverse fixture of this game on Boxing Day, the visitors ran out 3-1 winners.

• The Potters are now unbeaten in their last seven league games and will be looking to extend that to eight on Saturday afternoon.

• The Blues haven't won any of their previous six matches in the Championship, and they don't have the best track record against the red and white stripes.

• Steven Schumacher's side have 45 victories, 26 draws and have suffered 39 defeats against their opponents throughout their club history. (11 v 11, external)

• Tony Mowbray's outfit are 20th in the table as it stands, while the soon to be hosts are 17th and could rise to 15th with three points dependent on other results.

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke City and Birmingham City most recently faced each other in December, with Steven Schumacher's side securing a 3-1 Championship victory on Boxing Day at St. Andrew's.

The Potters went ahead courtesy of a long-range strike from Jordan Thompson, before Lynden Gooch doubled the lead of the visitors to make it 2-0 at the break.

Shortly after half-time, Andre Vidigal made it three, and while the hosts pulled a goal back through Jay Stansfield, it wasn't enough to lift the pressure off Wayne Rooney who soon ended up receiving his marching orders.

The Bet365 Stadium outfit will be hoping to gain another three points when they are back on home soil, where they have the opportunity to do the double over their opponents for the first time since 1989.

Having joined Stoke City from FC Basel over the summer, Wouter Burger has quickly adapted to his new life in England, having made 24 appearances for the club to date.

The Potters' defensive midfielder has been named captain over the past couple of games due to the injury to Josh Laurent, and Steven Schumacher has been singing his praises in his most recent press conference.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, the head coach said: "I knew he was a good player. I've prepared against him, seen a lot of his clips and watched a lot of the games that he's played in so technical ability was undoubted. Didn't obviously know him as a person until we got here, and then when we did come in, I felt as though he was a young player, but a really intelligent player."

"Obviously a lad who is from overseas, but speaks impeccable English as well as other languages, so really intelligent, and as I say, has an attitude that he does everything properly. Trains really well and I just felt as though making him the captain in the absence of one or two other players, I felt as though it was a good choice. He seems as though he's a leader, he asks questions and wants to improve, so all the signs of a young player that I love working with."

Image source, Getty Images

This Saturday, Stoke City host Birmingham City at the Bet365 Stadium as they look to extend their seven-game unbeaten run to eight in the Championship.

Ahead of the visit of Tony Mowbray's side, Steven Schumacher has been speaking to BBC Radio Stoke at his pre-match press conference to discuss a variety of different topics.

On positive form: "I can sense it, but I also feel as though there's still loads to come from us as well. I think it's been a decent start, but it could have been better in my opinion, so we'll just keep striving and keep trying to improve as a team."

Potential new signings: "We won't just bring in people for the sake of it. We'll only try and bring in people if we feel as though it's going to improve the squad and improve what we've already got. The work is ongoing, it's definitely not shut, we're not sitting here saying right we're finished in January."

Atmosphere of the fans at home: "I think they are really good supporters. They are so loud, when it gets going it can be intimidating in there, so that's what we want. We want to try and put a team on the pitch that our fans can sort of relate to."

Stoke City have reportedly had an approach to take Liverpool left-back Owen Beck on loan for the rest of the season turned down.

The Potters are among several clubs, including Coventry, Millwall and Hull in the Championship, alongside a number of others in League One, to have asked about the defender's availability. Scottish Premiership rivals Celtic and Rangers are also believed to have made contact with chiefs at Anfield.

The Reds academy product began his career at Clayton Wood so he already holds an existing connection to the club, though at this stage, a return is looking unlikely.

(The Athletic via Stoke On Trent Live, external)

Stoke City are known to have supporters from all across the world, but the club may have found the most northern, with Jim from 'The Panimo Bar' in Saariselka, Finland, revealing that he is part of a fan base at his establishment.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, the season ticket holder shared details on how the group was created and how the local residents participated in a sing-song during a quiz and bingo night.

"Last year, I went and worked in the local bar and I stuck a little Stoke badge on the bar that just said 'who will buy my bread?' which Stoke fans will understand. During the summer, it was falling off, and one of the barmen stapled it back onto the bar."

"All the British workers who worked for Santa Claus arrived and somebody tore it down, so that was the start of a bit of a 'where's that gone?'. One of the ladies in the office printed me a badge out and put the coordinates of the bar in and we called it the most northerly Stoke City supporters club."

"The guy who ripped it off, he was drunk and he didn't know what he was doing I don't think, but he did seem a nice chap so we made him a bit of a forfeit. He had to donate a couple of Stoke stickers to me, and while he was doing the quiz and bingo, we had 'We'll Be With You' sung by the crowd."

Image source, Getty Images

With Steven Schumacher having made the switch to Stoke City from Plymouth Argyle, the head coach could well be looking to reunite with some of his former players, just as he did recently with Luke Cundle.

Another Green Army star to have been linked with the Potters is Morgan Whittaker. The Second Tier Podcast's, external Justin Peach has offered his thoughts on the right-winger moving to the Bet365 Stadium.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, he said: "I think you've got a player there who is of a similar style and similar positioning to Morgan Whittaker in Tyrese Campbell. Obviously I know there's some injury problems with Tyrese Campbell, but there's a hell of a lot of potential as well and a hell of a lot of potential for goals there."

"So I think if Steven Schumacher can get his hands on Tyrese Campbell the way he did with Morgan Whittaker, I think you've got a player there who is easily capable of hitting double figures."

"Whether Morgan Whittaker is going to be suitable for Stoke or fit for Stoke in a couple of years time, I don't know because I do think he's destined for a £10m or £15m move to the Premier League."

Image source, Getty Images

Back in January 2023, Stoke City signed Bersant Celina from Dijon on loan for the remainder of last season, but it's fair to say that his short spell at the club didn't pan out as well as he or chiefs no doubt would have hoped.

The Potters' former attacking midfielder made just eight appearances during his time with the red and white stripes, and having failed to record a single goal or assist, he returned to his parent club over the summer.

For supporters wondering where the 27-year-old has disappeared to, he's now playing his football for Swedish outfit AIK. Celina put pen to paper there earlier this month following a successful loan period.

With three assists to his name in nine outings for his new outfit, Kosovo's international looks to have finally found the ideal place to kickstart his career after an uncertain couple of terms.

Image source, Stoke City

Stoke City have confirmed the signing of Christchurch United goalkeeper Scott Morris, who has signed a contract until the end of the 2024/25 season.

The New Zealand youth international has been training at Clayton Wood for the past few weeks, with the club having offered him a professional deal after impressing members of the hierarchy on his trial.

On putting pen to paper with Steven Schumacher's side, the 22-year-old said: "It has been a long-held ambition to test myself in England, which was something I explored a couple of years ago, and it now feels like the right time and right opportunity to develop my game."

The shot-stopper further added: “My immediate goal is to adapt to the professional environment, learn from my new teammates and be the best version of myself in training every day. It’s a chance I want to grasp with both hands.”

Image source, Getty Images

During Stoke City's 4-2 FA Cup defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion, Liam McCarron made his debut for the club after coming on to replace Daniel Johnson after 74 minutes.

The Potters defender first put pen to paper in the summer of 2022, but after being immediately sent out on a season-long loan to local rivals Port Vale, he hadn't made a single first-team appearance prior to the game vs the Seagulls.

Speaking to the media in a recent interview, however, Steven Schumacher revealed that the door is open for the left-back to stake his claim in the senior squad from here on in.

“When I spoke to Alex Morris last week about him, I’d recognised Liam's name because I was sure we prepared against him last season when he played for Vale against us. I recognised that, that he was involved on my squad list so said, ‘Where is he?’ and he was training with the U21s still. He hadn’t been up at all with the first team."

“So I said, ‘Explain it to me Alex,’ and he said, ‘He's quick, he's got a lovely left foot, he can get up and down the pitch and he defends ok.’ I said we had better get him in the squad then because we need a left-back who can do all those four things."

“Obviously he hasn't had many opportunities here since he was signed so I spoke to the player and said, ‘Look it’s up to you, you can train, you can impress and you can try to take your opportunity. The door isn’t shut for anyone at this club.’ So he was in the squad because we needed him and I actually thought he did really well.”

Image source, Getty Images

On this day: 17 January 2009

Stoke City introduced their new signing, James Beattie, to supporters for the first time, with the striker making his debut during the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League.

The Potters went ahead on the hour mark courtesy of Rory Delap who latched onto a pass from the forward to chip his effort over the top of Petr Cech.

However, with just three minutes of normal time remaining, Juliano Belletti netted the equaliser with a header at the far post, before Frank Lampard's drive from the edge of the area secured all three points for Luiz Felipe Scolari's side.

Speaking during his post-match interview, Tony Pulis said: "We are desperately disappointed but you have to give credit to Chelsea. We knew we were going to have to defend. Thomas Sorensen was brilliant. He made some superb saves. When we scored we thought it might just be our day, but the lads have been smashing and I can't fault them."

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke City's Wouter Burger was always confident that his new Stoke City team would click.

The Dutchman was one of 17 new signings in what was an incredibly busy summer in the Potteries.

The season started with Alex Neil in the dugout and the former Sunderland manager won four out of his first six games in charge.

However results quickly changed, a new look Stoke City team lost six times in their next eight fixtures.

The new year brought in new hope. Steven Schumacher has yet to taste defeat since replacing Alex Neil in December. The Potters undefeated in their last seven league games.

Wouter Burger joined Stoke from Swiss club Basel in pre-season, the 22-year-old believes the team is in a good place right now:

"From the start I felt the Championship was a hard competition, where we were a team new to the league and to England."

He continued, "It always takes time to get to where it should be and with us it took a little bit too much time.

"The last couple of weeks we have played better football, more attacking football and the defence is enjoying it a bit more.

"We always thought we were a team that couldn't get beaten easily, but we also have to be a team that is winning more games.

That's the next step to turn the season around into something more positive," Burger said.

"I think we are really growing as a team and it feels good to be part of."

Click here to listen to Wouter Burger speaking to BBC Radio Stoke

Stoke City's Lewis Baker says he's learning so much playing under new head coach Steven Schumacher.

The midfielder has started the last three games and has scored in each of his last two appearances.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, Baker says he's happy to be playing again:

"I'm very much enjoying it, I think all the lads are really enjoying their football at the moment.

We're learning so much and you can see in our game we're expansive, we want to be on the front foot, we want to play good attacking football. We we want to be hard to beat."

Stoke City are undefeated in their last seven league games.

Image source, Getty Images

On this day: 15 January 2011

Stoke City secured a 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers to move up to eighth in the Premier League table which saw them go level on points with their opponents.

At the end of the first half, Danny Higginbotham scrambled the ball home from a Tuncay corner, before Matthew Etherington doubled the hosts lead from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Zat Knight.

Having lost at the Britannia Stadium, as it was known at the time, Owen Coyle's side had therefore suffered five successive league defeats away from home.

Speaking during his post-match interview, Tony Pulis said: "The conditions were difficult for the players but I think there was some great football produced by both teams. The lads have gone out there, got three points and now we move on."

Fans views on midfielder Lewis Baker's form after 1-0 Rotherham win

Lewis Baker's goal helped Stoke City extend their run to seven league games without defeat. Here's what you had to say.

Marcus - Lewis Baker can score goals if he can stay fit. I think Steven Schumacher will have a selection headache with his next team going forward.

Thomas - We need to keep the run going, Stoke have missed someone like Lewis Baker. He's scored two goals in the last two games. He's a good player.

Mark - I think he has been excellent, he looks hungry and interested. A few people have said he could be on the move, but from what I've seen, Schumacher likes him and he seems happy.

'He's Premier League quality'

Former Stoke City captain Denis Smith believes midfielder Wouter Burger has got what it takes to play in the top flight of English football.

The 21-year-old has been a key player for the Potters this season and Smith says the Dutchman is thriving under new head coach Steven Schumacher:

"He looks like he's enjoying playing football and he's passionate about playing football. He's been superb,"

Burger has been a big part of Stoke's run of seven league games without defeat including Saturday's 1-0 win at Rotherham.

After another strong performance Smith told BBC Radio Stoke other clubs will be watching him:

"He put in a captain's performance again, hopefully we can hold on to him, the lad has been superb."

Image source, Getty Images

Ahead of Stoke City's upcoming encounter against Rotherham United, we take a look at the opposition in more detail, and it's fair to say that they have been in disappointing form this season in the Championship.

The Millers are currently at rock bottom of the table having secured just three wins and nine draws since the start of the campaign, with 14 defeats from 26 games meaning that they have struggled to pick up points on a regular basis.

The South Yorkshire outfit's worst result came in the form of a 5-0 loss to Watford back in November, but they certainly can't be considered pushovers having beaten the likes of Middlesbrough, Coventry and Norwich.

In terms of key players to watch, Potters fans will be no stranger to Sam Clucas, with the club's former central midfielder having joined as a free agent over the summer following his departure from the Bet365 Stadium.

Leam Richardson's familiar arrival has made an impressive start to life with his new team where his volley against Sunderland has been nominated for the December Goal of the Month award, so he could be one to keep a close eye on.

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke City have been handed a boost after learning that Mehdi Leris is fully fit for tomorrow's trip to face Rotherham United in the Championship.

Delivering an update during his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Steven Schumacher said: "He’s fine, he’s ok. He has followed all the protocol he needed to follow and has had an assessment this morning with the doctors and he’s fine."

Tyrese Campbell, Ben Pearson and Frank Fielding are also set to be back at the head coach's disposal, in addition to Jordan Thompson who has finished serving his suspension, while Enda Stevens has returned to training, but this game will come too soon for the left-back who is still building up his fitness.

Josh Laurent and Lynden Gooch both remain sidelined, alongside D'Margio Wright-Phillips, who is completing the last stage of his rehabilitation, and Junior Tchamadeu, who is away representing Cameroon at the Africa Cup Of Nations. (Stoke On Trent Live, external)

Image source, Getty Images

Having been appointed in December 2023, Steven Schumacher has made a positive start to his tenure having won one and drawn three of his opening four games in the Championship, with his only defeat coming in the FA Cup against Brighton last weekend.

The Potters head coach therefore has the opportunity to equal a record set by one of the club's former managers, Brian Little, 26 years ago, when he travels to Rotherham United on Saturday, because he could become the only boss since the veteran to have gone unbeaten during his first five league games in charge.

Initially at Aston Villa, the now 70-year-old made the drop down when he accepted the job with the red and white stripes, and he made an excellent beginning to life in the dugout, winning 14 out of his first 20 games, sitting pretty and competing for automatic promotion.

However, the second half of the season turned out to be the complete opposite, with the club only able to secure seven victories from their remaining 26 fixtures, meaning that they eventually finished 8th in the table and missed out on a place in the First Division.

When announcing his decision to resign in July 1999 after just the one term in charge, Little said: "I have tried my best and the disappointment is very hard to take. I hope the supporters understand that it's best that I leave".

Considering that Stoke are unlikely to complete another major squad overhaul, Schumacher will be hoping that his reign continues on an upwards trajectory, with his aim certainly being to get the Bet365 Stadium outfit back to the Premier League at some stage in the near future.

Stoke City blogger and podcaster George Weaver from Potterlytics, external shares his thoughts on what business the Potters need to do in the January transfer window:

"The clear one at the minute is left-back, now that Iversen has come in as goalkeeper. I'm glad to see we did that as quickly as we could just to get it sorted straight away. It's obviously been on the mind of the people behind the scenes that we needed that goalkeeper. I think other than left-back, centre-back possibly as we've seen a little bit of a depreciation in the quality there. Luke McNally started very well but he has dropped off a little recently."

"There's a new manager in with a different way of playing and we've said that Stoke are going to try and recruit to profiles, but I do think that profile has now probably changed quite a bit, particularly in terms of full-backs and central midfielders."

"At this juncture I'm sure where Schumacher sees the squad that he has got and where we are going to need those extra players, other than a left-back coming in and probably a centre-back as well."

"Strikers, we've got Wesley, we've got Gayle and we've got Ryan Mmaee who is probably first choice at the minute and who's been doing excellently over the past few weeks. I would be surprised if Wesley and Gayle are up there in Schumacher's plans as the players he wants to be starting more than a couple of games between now and the end of the season."

"If he does bring someone in, that would be really good competition for Ryan Mmaee, but we forget that Tyrese Campbell can play there as well, especially if there are people around him in the same way that we have seen in the last few weeks, so it will be very interesting to see what kind of striker he brings in if he does go for that."

• When Stoke and Rotherham faced each other in the reverse fixture of this game back in August, Steven Schumacher's side ran out 4-1 winners.

• The Millers have only secured one victory from their past nine matches against their upcoming visitors across all competitions.

• The Potters are currently unbeaten in their last three away encounters and will be hoping to extend that to four this weekend.

• The Bet365 Stadium outfit have 19 wins, 13 draws and have suffered 14 defeats against their opponents throughout their club history. (11 v 11, external)

• Leam Richardson's men are rock bottom of the Championship table as it stands, while the red and white stripes are 19th, with three points having the potential to take them as high as 15th dependent on other results.