Stoke City

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Speaking to BBC Radio Norfolk's Rob Butler in a new interview, Stoke City's former manager Alex Neil has publicly opened up on his spell at the club for the first time since his departure.

"Obviously the last few games was disappointing. Strangely before that, I think we kept five clean sheets on the bounce. We went out in one week and beat Middlesbrough, Leeds and Sunderland which at Championship level is excellent form. We drew with Coventry, we drew with Cardiff and then we lost four games."

Addressing why he feels he should have been given longer in the job, Neil added: "I just felt that with the January window coming up, we had a few positions that we needed to fix because we'd done so much in the summer.

"I genuinely feel if it went longer, we would have improved, we would have fixed those areas, but as we unfortunately know in football nowadays, time is a commodity that is sometimes not granted to us. That decision was made and we move on."

Ahead of Stoke City's upcoming home game against Middlesbrough on Saturday, Steven Schumacher has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference to discuss a variety of different topics.

On the opponents: "Middlesbrough had a tough result at the weekend against Plymouth, but only a couple of games ago beat Leicester City, so they are a team who have got real talent and we need to make sure that we are ready for that. They'll understand that we are not in brilliant form, but they'll know that we've been doing okay in certain aspects of the games and I'm sure they won't take the game lightly either."

Team news: "Tough situations gives opportunities to other people so we've got to get through it. It's not easy. Jordan [Thompson] being suspended is not ideal. Junior [Tchamadeu] hurt his ankle last week in a game just before half-time. Enda [Stevens] has been out for pretty much all of it since we've been here, so it's difficult, but you've just got to get through it and find a way. We've got other people that can play in them areas and we'll survive."

Jonathan Walters: "The support is hugely appreciated. We have a really good relationship with John Coates. He's been there and speaking to us and saying 'Look, come on, what do you need? Let's stay positive' and that's reassurance for you which is great, but I understand where we're at. I understood how big this challenge was going to be. The results we wish would have gone better and I take all that pressure on me as the head coach."

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Stoke City are set to welcome Middlesbrough to the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday as they look to climb out of the relegation zone by securing a much-needed three points.

The Potters are in danger of dropping down to League One, but do they have enough in their squad to retain their status as a Championship club?

Get involved by sending us your score predictions for the game and thoughts ahead of the visit of Michael Carrick's side using the online form below.

Have your say here!

Following the departure of Ricky Martin, Stoke City recently appointed Jonathan Walters as their new technical director on an interim basis.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, the club's former striker admitted that he's been impressed by Steven Schumacher and has urged supporters to get behind the team from the very first minute against Middlesbrough.

"When the chips are down, we stick up for each other. The people of the area, I class as my people. We've got a young team, a lot of players come from different parts of the world that don't know what this place is like. They need you.

"You've got a very very very good, young head coach, one of the best in the country in my opinion, needs you, doesn't know what this place is like when it's rocking. I need you.

"I'll say this is a call to arms really. Let's get this place, for the first ten minutes, rocking. Let's sing Delilah until your heart bleeds, let's get every song out there for ten minutes, give me ten minutes.

"I need you to do that on Saturday and then it's up to the players to take that on. Let them feel what it's like here as an atmosphere. That's my message and what I feel we need this weekend."

You can listen to the full interview here.

Ahead of Stoke City's upcoming home game vs Middlesbrough on Saturday, Ben Rowley from 'The YYY Files' believes that the club's supporters will continue to get behind the team regardless of their poor run of form at the Bet365 Stadium.

"We've got nothing to worry about [with] the atmosphere on Saturday because this draws parallels with 2018. I can't remember the exact time, but at a point where we knew we'd got a genuine possibility of going down, like everybody knew. This has brought a bit of concreteness that I think the fans will get behind the players out of desperation if nothing else."

On how the atmosphere could change for the worse, he added: "There will be frustration and the toxicity will probably return if we go a goal down, but it's not as if we are going to be sat there complaining, there's a desperation to do well this weekend.

"Whether there's belief, whether there's hope, it doesn't matter. We've got to put our voice forward, but everybody knows that really on this occasion."

You can discover more from Ben here, external.

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Stoke City's U17s have missed out on a place in the last two of the Premier League cup after suffering a 2-1 semi-final defeat to Wolves at Clayton Wood on Tuesday.

The Old Gold took the lead through Daniel Angel in the first half, before Freddie Anderson found the equaliser for the hosts with his glancing header after the break.

With nothing to separate the two sides from there on in, the visitors capitalised on a straight red card for Dean Adekoya to get the winner in injury time through a tap-in from Minkyu Ji.

Interim technical director Jonathan Walters, U21s coach Ryan Shawcross and Nathan Lowe were all in attendance to show their support by watching on from the sidelines.

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Carl Dickinson on the club's chances of surviving relegation

With Stoke City having entered the Championship relegation zone, former defender Carl Dickinson has been speaking to BBC Radio Stoke's Lucas Yeomans to deliver his verdict on whether the squad have enough to avoid the drop.

"When you are down, struggling a little bit, it is difficult to see where your next win is going to come from, but it's just a case of sticking together and making sure you are doing the hard yards in being hard to beat and putting your body on the line.

"Stopping crosses, blocking shots, making sure everybody is held accountable and that's all they've got to do. The players, for me, have still got to keep believing in that and keep trusting that if they keep doing those hard yards, that results will come and there's no bigger game than the one on Saturday", he said.

Talking about how the club move forward, Dickinson added: "There does need to be a bit of a rebuild in terms of the type of player that is brought into the club and what the identity of Stoke City should be and what's got them results in the past and what that's been built on.

"There is some tough games coming up, but I do think there's enough in there to go and get the results that are needed."

Stoke City's under-17's are one game away from reaching the Premier League Cup final.

The Potters take on Wolves under-17's tonight at Clayton Wood (18.30 GMT) for a place in the last two against either Chelsea or Manchester City.

Academy coach Dave Hibbert says the players have done brilliantly to get this far:

"We came through a group stage with Man City, Liverpool and Derby so it was a tough group to get through but the lads qualified quite comfortably in the end.

"Then the quarter-final against Aston Villa was a different challenge, some of these clubs have got six times our budget and we're able to compete with them which is brilliant."

The Stoke City hour on BBC Radio Stoke returns at 1800 GMT Tuesday.

Lucas Yeomans will be asking you what you think is going to happen over the final 12 games of the season plus he'll be speaking to former defender Carl Dickinson and Ben Rowley from the 'YYY Files' podcast., external

Click to listen at 1800

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'Might Just Stay Up'

As Stoke prepare for a home game against Middlesbrough, you've been getting in touch with how you feel about the team and club:

Dave- Lazy blaming John Coates and co, they’ve backed every manager and we’ve been let down on the pitch. The players and management have to deliver on the pitch, players have to show more pride in wearing the shirt.

Sam - As much as I like the man, Schumacher was just not the right appointment. Some of the tactics against Cardiff were all wrong, full-backs need to hug the touch-line to offer support down the wings but instead were coming into central midfield leaving us so open when we lost possession.

Chris - I'm beginning to think that Schumacher was brought in for his experience of getting out of League One.

Andrew - Problem is the owners and directors think Stoke are better than what they really are. Get back to what the great Tony Waddington did, by bringing in five or six tried and tested older players and mix them with home grown youth.

Duncan - We complain because we care which is what the players should be doing, but obviously not. The club is a total disgrace and should be honest and admit they have made too many mistakes since 2018.

Kev - The players and manager are probably good enough, to be honest. Unfortunately the fans expect an overnight improvement with each new player and/or manager. It's just not realistic, particularly with a side that have been struggling for some time. I'd rather back them than slate them at the moment. Might just stay up.

What do you think? Let us know here.

After losing 2-1 at Cardiff City at the weekend, Stoke City are in the bottom thee of the Championship and deep in a relegation battle. Supporters have got in touch with us and had their say on the situation:

David - No ambition, no hope. At least it will be cheaper to watch games once we are relegated.

Richard - A team of average Championship players which normally should ensure they remain safe in this league if they all perform to 100%+ of their ability. Unfortunately there seems to be a lack of cohesion, teamwork and belief in their performances, this is not good now that they are in a relegation situation, only seven points from the rest of the season

Vinnie - Typical Stoke. I'm trying to be positive, to be fair, we're travelling all over the country and it just gets a bit tiresome, I haven't been like this for a while.

Kevin - Absolutely shocking performance to be honest with you and it breaks my heart to say that this club is going to get relegated and I'm sorry to say it.

Hugo - It's all gone wrong really and I think bringing Schumacher in was a really brave thing to do but I just feel like it's not worked, I think for me it was the wrong man to bring in.

Sam - There is one sole issue at this club, there's got to be and it all points at John Coates.

What do you think? Send us your comments here.

Stoke City are interested in a move to sign Manchester United defender Will Fish this summer, according to a report that has emerged.

The Red Devils centre-back, who is currently on loan at Hibernian, is also being monitored by Ipswich Town, Middlesbrough, Sheffield United, Hull City, Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers.

The Scottish Premiership side are keen to buy the 21-year-old on a permanent basis, but that is currently looking like a difficult task to complete. (HITC, external)

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Ahead of Stoke City's upcoming away game vs Cardiff City on Saturday, Steven Schumacher has been speaking to BBC Radio Stoke's Matt Sandoz at his pre-match press conference to discuss a variety of different topics.

On Ricky Martin's departure: "It's important for us to try and stay focused on our jobs and what's at hand. Ricky was a big part of what was going on here at Stoke and it's not nice for anyone to lose their job, but obviously that was the decision that's been made and we have to try and keep moving forward as best as we can."

His message to the team: "Be clinical with the chances that we're getting, we're getting into the final third a lot. We're creating opportunities that we're not making the most of so that's a bit of confidence, that's a bit of belief and a bit of quality. We need to add some quality where we can and then defensively we've got to concentrate and be committed to defending your goal."

On the positive signs he's seeing from the squad: "There isn't loads wrong with how we are actually playing. For me, that's what we can focus on. If the performances continue at a consistent level then the results will turn. I'm not losing sight of how I want the team to play, how the supporters want to watch their team play, and as long as we are committed, as long as we give it 100% effort like they did on Saturday, then the fans will appreciate that."

As Stoke City prepare to travel to Cardiff City this weekend, BBC Radio Stoke commentator Sohail Sahi has named the squad and formation that he would most like to see start Saturday's game in South Wales.

The Potters are in desperate need of three points to lift them away from the relegation zone, but is this the right team to lead them to victory?

What would be your best eleven? Let us know here.

• Stoke City are winless in their last five away league games against Cardiff City (D3 L2) since a 1-0 win in August 2007.

• In the Championship, five of the last six meetings between these two sides have ended as a draw – the other was a 2-1 victory for the Bluebirds in March 2022.

• Erol Bulut's team have lost their previous five league matches against fellow ‘City’ clubs, their worst run against City sides since suffering six defeats in a row between November 1994 and March 1995.

• Since the Championship 4-1 win over Rotherham United in August, the Potters have averaged just 0.8 goals in their 32 league games that have followed, scoring more than once in just one of their last 15 fixtures.

• Steven Schumacher's outfit could move up to 15th in the table with a win this weekend, dependent on the results of those around them. Cardiff are unlikely to climb any places with three points due to their current goal difference.

The Potters are set for some difficult upcoming fixtures against Cardiff City, Middlesbrough, Leeds United, Preston North End and Norwich City. We asked you to send in your predictions as to how many points the club will take from their next five games in the Championship.

Here are some of the responses that we received:

Jack: Stoke will be fortunate to get any more than 1 point from the next 5 matches. There's little evidence of teamwork and lack of a fighting spirit in the team selection each game. There are issues within the club that seem to be festering, no matter who the manager is...

Graeme: I can only see us getting maybe 5 points from these games. It's going to be scraping draws and getting the odd lucky win if we're going to stay up.

Jay: 1 point from the next 5 games... relegation looming I'm afraid.

William: 6 points - at most.

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Ahead of Saturday's trip to Wales, BBC Radio Stoke's Lucas Yeomans has been speaking to Ben James from the 'View From The Ninian' podcast to discuss which opposition players could cause the biggest problem for Steven Schumacher's side.

"We've got Karlan Grant who's been really good, he's come in on loan from West Brom, he's really dangerous on the wings. It looks like Aaron Ramsey is going to be injured, he has a bit of history with you guys. I know you are probably looking forward to booing him.

"We've got Rubin Colwill who is a young Welsh international coming in the midfield who I think is a lovely footballer. If we can get him on the ball, I think he could cause you a lot of trouble. He just finds space where other players can't find space and he's always dangerous when he gets the ball so I'm hoping he causes you some trouble on Saturday."

When asked for his score prediction, he added: "I think we'll beat you. We are due a home win. It'll be tight, maybe 2-1, 2-0 at best but I think we'll get the three points."

You can discover more about the podcast here, external.

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Stoke City have sacked their Technical Director Ricky Martin, with former striker Jonathan Walters having taken over the role on an interim basis until further notice.

The Potters first appointed the 47-year-old back in November 2022, but he's failed to live up to expectations following his 24 new signings this season, including 19 last summer.

Speaking of his departure, John Coates said: "Ricky has worked tirelessly in his attempts to bring success to Stoke City, and I am appreciative of his hard work and dedication.

“With results on the field having fallen significantly short of our ambitions during the current season to date, we believe it is essential to take-on a new direction. We will run a full and robust recruitment process with immediate effect.

“Jonathan is ideally suited to the interim role and I’m thankful to him for stepping in to support Stoke City, a club I know is close to his heart, at this time.”

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Stoke City striker Ryan Mmaee is expected to be ruled out of action for three to four weeks after sustaining a new knee injury in the Premier League 2.

The Potters forward is believed to have picked up the problem while playing for the U21s having joined them as part of his disciplinary procedure.

Therefore, Steven Schumacher is set to have to wait even longer before reintroducing the 26-year-old back into the first-team fold. (Fraser Fletcher Gillan, external)

Stoke City have a huge few weeks ahead as they continue their fight to avoid getting relegated from the Championship to League One.

Potters fans will know that the home match vs Middlesbrough followed by a midweek trip to Leeds United will prove to be difficult back-to-back fixtures.

How many points do you think the club will be able to pick up from the next five games? Send us your predictions here.

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Stoke City are making the trip to face Cardiff City on Saturday, with a victory on the road desperately needed should they want to avoid relegation.

The Potters are only three points above the drop zone as it stands, but Steven Schumacher has high hopes that his players are capable of retaining their status in the Championship.

“It’s a big game but they all are. There are 13 games to go and loads of teams in the bottom half of the division in the same situation as we are. We’ve got to make sure that we’re ready to stand up for the fight and that’s what we keep asking the players to do. I know we’ve got the right characters in there to get the results we need.”

On whether the team need favours from other clubs to get them over the line, he added:

“No but that’s the reality of it, that’s what it is. Every week there will be teams who come up with a win here and there and there will be teams who lose throughout the bottom half. That’s what it’s like. We can’t focus on what anyone else is doing, we’ve got to focus on sorting out our own game and pick up points where possible.”