Stoke City

Head coach Narcís Pèlach takes Stoke City to Middlesbrough for his first away game as the Potters new boss.

Here's a look at some of the key stats between the two teams.

• Middlesbrough have lost just one of their last eight home league games against Stoke City (W5 D2), though that sole defeat did come last season during a 2-0 loss at the Riverside Stadium.

• Stoke City produced a league double over Middlesbrough last season and will be looking to win three successive league matches against Boro for the first time since September 1958 (run of four).

• Middlesbrough have won only one of their last five league games (D2 L2), though have lost only one of their last nine league games at home (W5 D3).

• Stoke have lost four of their last five league games (W1), while away from home the Potters have suffered seven defeats from their previous 12 league matches (W4 D1)

• Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney has completed more progressive passes than any other Championship player this season (48), while only three players have more secondary chances created than his nine.

The Stoke City head coach Narcís Pèlach has been explaining what he expects from his squad of players.

Pèlach was appointed last week but lost his first game in charge at home to Hull City.

He told BBC Radio Stoke what his players will need to do if they are to have a successful season.

It's been a week since Narcís Pèlach was appointed Stoke City's new head coach and you've been letting us know your thoughts about the decision and direction of the football club. Here are just some of the comments you've sent.

Craig - We have sacked a manager with a promotion and a title on his CV, for a coach with no managerial experience from a club below us at the time of his appointment. We all thought we were in a period of stability and were prepared to accept incremental gains. This is madness and I can't see it ending well.

Leo - I think Schumacher was a good manager and the team aren’t going to fight for promotion if they change the staff once a year. As well as this, Laurent and Baker have left the club leaving a hole in the midfield. We have Burger and some others but we need somebody to come in and carry us. We do have great players but we need to be fighting for play-offs.

Paul - Nothing will change, Walter's is just a yes-man and will be John Coates scapegoat. Best football we played was under Mark Hughes.

Gary - I fear the worst, I thought Schumacher was doing ok and things would improve.

Ian - Stoke are in very dangerous place. We will just keep slipping down the leagues. We need a experience manager.

What do you want to see from your team going forward? Let us know here, external.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Stoke City defender Marc Muniesa believes Narcis Pelach will get things right at the Championship club after he was appointed the club's new head coach.

Muniesa joined Stoke City from Barcelona in 2013 and quickly became a fan's favourite. The full-back went on to make more than 40 Premier League appearances scoring one goal.

The Catalonian began working with Pelach after leaving the Potteries and joining Girona in 2017.

"I know him personally from when he was coach at Girona. He did an amazing job with the young players and then he was our assistant in the first team.

"In my second year he was taking the tactics offensively and defensively, the connection he has with players is very good, he is crazy about football."

Muniesa said he always knew Pelach would be a head coach and that's what he said when he spoke to Stoke City's owner John Coates and Sporting Director Jon Walters.

"They [Coates and Walters] are taking the risk, but I already told them that he is the man and he will do a great job for Stoke.

"They will be a well organised team, tactically knowing what they need to do, how to attack and defend various situations and they will be passionate."

The 32-year-old told Pelach that the Stoke City supporters will back him if they see effort and commitment.

"I told him he'll have to try to connect with the team and then with the supporters. When you play at Stoke the other teams have to feel like they are going to war. The supporters can help you a lot.

"When you give everything on the pitch the people will love you. This is what the people of Stoke showed me during my four years there and they are still showing to me now."

Image source, BBC Sport

Former Stoke City defender and first team coach, Mike Pejic, is hoping new head coach Narcís Pèlach can get the best out of striker Tom Cannon.

Cannon has yet to score for the Potters since joining on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day.

Pèlach's first game in charge ended in a 3-1 home defeat to Hull City and Pejic believes there is plenty of work for the Catalan coach to do.

"The first half was good but the improvement they have got to do is in the back third," he said.

"But if that impulse isn't there to go and win the ball back then you have to change the players, if they are not capable of doing it. Or put them on again and let them do it for so long until you see that they can't do it or they're just not doing it. These are the decisions that will need to be made."

In terms of getting the most out of Tom Cannon, Pejic said Pèlach will need to work on the striker's positional play.

"He dropped far too deep against Hull City and then you have to ask him when Stoke win possession back to be in an attacking position.

"We have to start using him more because he was making runs when we were in that mid-third area. He was getting in behind defenders and we failed to pass to him. Off the ball he has to be in an advanced position and stay in that advanced position."

'Stoke City Night' on BBC Radio Stoke

Lucas Yeomans returns with Tuesday's Stoke City night on BBC Radio Stoke (18:00 BST)

He'll be discussing Narcís Pèlach's first game in charge and start looking ahead to the head coach's next match at Middlesbrough.

Also find out what fan's favourite Marc Muniesa told Pèlach about moving to Stoke.

Listen to the show here from 18:00 BST.

As Narcís Pèlach takes on his first full week of training at Stoke City you have been getting in touch with your views on the shake-up at the club.

The new Potters head coach is preparing for Saturday's match at Middlesbrough looking to bounce back from his debut defeat at home to Hull City.

This is how some of you are feeling about being a Stoke City fan right now:

Andrew - Stoke have taken a backward step. It's a man-manger that's required. There are plenty of managers out there, but will Stoke pay the wage? There must be something the board can sort in wages for the right manager

Alan - City's problem is they can't attract top class proven managers. I go back to the days of Tony Waddington, it was a different game then. Apart from limited success under Tony Pullis, they have lurched from one managerial crisis to another. I can't see anything changing.

Paul - Pretty soon the club’s hierarchy will run out of scapegoats and the real problem will become clear. Schumacher should have been given longer.

Steve - Very surprised to hear Schumacher was sacked, so early in the season. Thought he was doing okay. Now I am just hoping the new coach can sort this squad out, time will tell assuming he is given enough time.

Jeff - A house divided against itself will fall, this is true for any venture or club. A reality check is called for. Strength needs humility and willingness to stay the course. I’ve heard ‘Stoke belong in the Premier League,’ we’re no where near!

Mrs M - Lots of unanswered questions from Stoke regarding the sacking of Schumacher. Are there too many chiefs? You can’t manage a team if you’re getting interference from back room staff. This is not our Stoke anymore.

Are you feeling more confident after seeing how Narcís Pèlach wants his Stoke City team to play like? Let us know what you think here., external

Narcís Pèlach's first game in charge ended in a 3-1 home defeat for Stoke City.

'A Cold Wet Tuesday Night' podcast reacts to that game, the performance and what lies ahead for the Catalan coach.

Lucas and George, aka Potterlytics, are joined by Matt Watts from the 72cast.

Listen to the latest episode here.

Image source, Stoke City

Stoke City's new Head Coach, Narcís Pèlach has said he will bring a Spanish influence to the Potters and that his team will reflect his own passion and determination.

These are just some of the comments you sent to us about his appointment.

Ken - Why would Pèlach take the job? Look how the club have treated Schumacher and others.

Gill - I think they should have kept Schumacher, club needs stability and he's proved himself with success at Plymouth.

Andrew- The club has once again employed a young coach with a few years experience in English football. Stoke fans will hope the club have now picked a young manager who will hopefully bring the club a successful season.

Chris - We have a lot to thank the Coates family for but the installation of John Coates running the club is an ongoing disaster. His football knowledge is non-existent and this is proven without doubt as we have a ‘Watford style’ manager recruitment. Total disaster in charge of the club.

Dave - I think we will keep changing until we find our very own Pep.

Batesy - When you look at Shumacher's record of 39pts from 28 games then we are in a similar place to where we were under most of the previous managers, however in context of virtually two team rebuilds he has done a decent job and deserved time to make it work. Jon Walters has rolled his dice very early and must be confident in his choice.

Rob - Can't understand the logic of getting rid of Schumacher only to bring in another unproven manager. We need a manager with a proven track record, these appointments are to me a knee-jerk reaction and smack of desperation. We're getting to the point, with the managers being dismissed, of the job being labelled a poisoned chalice.

David - He will be sacked by end of November.

Tom - It was a hasty sacking given they backed Schumacher in the summer, let's see if Narcís Pèlach can make it past a 12 month probation period, very few Stoke coaches do.

How do you feel about the direction Stoke City have gone in? Let us know here., external

Image source, Stoke City

Stoke City have appointed Narcis Pelach as their new Head Coach. You've had your say on the appointment of the 36-year-old Catalonian coach.

Ian - It's a very brave choice. I feel we will be lucky if we stay up.

John - As a Stoke City fan for over 60 years I have seen the good and bad times. I really don’t understand the timing of the manager's sacking. I thought everything was going well! Can a Spaniard solve or improve Stoke? Whoever takes the job they need to play all of these home grown players because their hearts and passion is what the Club needs.

Franklin - I think it’s the right decision for the right time.

David - Another unproven risk. We need a Moyes type manager to get us steady and safe.....not another shot in the dark. If you are going to give an inexperienced young manager the role then it would have been better to stick with Schuey.

Paul - We need a better quality manager. Stop messing around with head coaches.

Colin - We are looking to take another manager from a club lower down in the Championship. Norwich must be rubbing their hands getting money for a coach they would probably sack anyway.

Callum - We shouldn't of fired Schumacher, and we need to stop hiring managers from other clubs, Coates need to think about it and ask the fans first.

Do you agree? Tell us your thoughts here., external

'Go for it Stoke'

Image source, Getty Images

Narcis Pelach is the front-runner to replace Steven Schumacher as the new head coach of Stoke City. You've been telling us if you think the Spaniard is a good choice.

Robin - This is the biggest risk to date particularly as the others before have not met expectations. I would prefer him as a number two to a proven manager like Graham Potter.

Paul - I think this could be a different type of manager, rather than go for the same old manager who has done well with other clubs, this could work. I hope it works out well. There’s no point getting a Tony Mowbray, Ryan Lowe or Dave Challinor!!! Go for it Stoke.

Richard - A brave appointment if it goes ahead, but they need to just give him time to build his culture and not be as trigger happy as we have since relegation in 2018!

Gary - Massive Gamble, if it goes South Jon Walters needs to walk.

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

Image source, Getty Images

Former Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross has said he will relish the opportunity to take charge of the team against Fleetwood Town in the League Cup third round.

The 36-year-old will be supported on the side-lines by first team coach Alex Morris following Steven Schumacher's sacking on Monday.

Speaking to the club ahead of their clash against the League Two side, Shawcross said:

“Representing Stoke City in this way means a great deal to me, and I of course carry a huge amount of love and respect for our brilliant fans.

“The work the team has done to reach round three, with young sides overcoming contests against Carlisle United and Middlesbrough, has been impressive – and the prize at stake this evening is significant.”

Shawcross added that he was looking forward to having a familiar face return to the bet365 Stadium as former Potter, Charlie Adam, coaches Fleetwood Town.

“Charlie needs no introduction having represented the Club on 179 occasions between 2012 and 2019.

“His time at the Club corresponded with some of the most successful seasons in our history and I’m sure he will receive a warm welcome back to ST4.

“They will doubtless raise their game for the occasion against Championship opposition, and the team we select will need to be on their mettle if we are to progress in the competition.”

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke City have begun the search for Steven Schumacher's replacement and one of the names being heavily tipped to take up the role is Norwich City's first team coach Narcis Pelach.

The Catalonian coach started life in England with Carlos Corberan at Huddersfield Town and from there joined David Wagner at Carrow Road.

Connor Southwell is the Norwich City chief reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. He told BBC Radio Stoke what the Potters could be getting.

"It's viewed as a bit of a shame that he is potentially going because he is highly regarded down here. He worked closely with Carlos Corberan at Huddersfield, Neil Warnock, Mark Fotheringham, David Wagner and Johannes Hoff Thorup who all have radically different styles of play. So in terms of what he is it's a really hard one to call."

As for what type of head coach Stoke could be getting, Southwell added that Pelach is a student of the game.

"What you can say with certainty is that he has exposed himself to a lot of different coaches and a lot of different styles. He should be fairly well versed to coach a lot of different styles, it 's just about which one is his preference.

"He watches a lot of football, he spends time watching teams who are tactically interesting, he's spent a lot of time watching Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton and Hove Albion so I think he is pretty open minded. It'll be really interesting to see, if it goes the way we expect, how he approaches life as a number one."

Is this the direction you want Stoke City to go in? Let us know here., external

We asked you what you thought about the sacking of Stoke City manager Steven Schumacher, this is what you told us.

Ian - This is a weird one! After taking over part way through last season and having to work with what he inherited for a while, he managed to keep them up. He then is backed over the summer. Stoke haven't done badly so far. Then he gets sacked. With Stoke's recent record of sackings this just continues the uncertainty.

David - So I post on the BBC that he needs to go before we enter a relegation battle, and he's gone! Maybe the Stoke board read these messages?

Janner51 - I feel sorry for Schumacher. He reneged on a contract with a superb football club at Argyle and then trusted Stoke! Surely he knew that they have no patience and seemingly no plan.

Chris - A real shock on hearing the news. We are only five games into the season and although Saturday's game was disappointing, I would have given Schumacher until Christmas to see how the new signings worked out!

Kevin - This is a ridiculous decision. We were making progress, slow progress but none the less it was progress. Schumacher was giving us hope and the team were improving. Selling Laurent was a mistake, it didn't help. But this wasn't about what was happening on the pitch, there is more to this. Walters should go, and Coates should sell up.

Andy - Didn’t see that coming. Got to admit that I didn’t see Schumacher lasting the season though, just surprised it’s happened so quick.

Simon - Good he’s not good enough for a club like Stoke. Stop messing around and go and get Potter or Robins. Make them an offer they can’t refuse. Too many mediocre managers have come here. Show some ambition Stoke City. I’ve supported them all my life and will never not.

What do you want from a new head coach/manager? Let us know here., external

'I just can't get my head around this today'

Image source, Getty Images

After Stoke City announced the sacking of Steven Schumacher, you've been having your say.

These are just some of the views that have been sent to BBC Radio Stoke:

Matt - In all fairness I trust Walters and his judgement, let's be honest we've had six years finishing in the bottom half of the Championship he must obviously think another direction is needed to achieve a lot better. Trust the process, after all he galvanised the squad last season and recruitment was good, there are more positives

Sarah - Why do knee-jerk now and appoint a new manager so soon. Why not invite other managers to apply. I just can't get my head around this today. The only disagreement will be around team selection and players in positions. Schuey said himself they'd had an "electric" week training. Then he looked distraught after the game.

Kelvin - I believe in Jon Walters. He has Stoke’s interests at heart. We don’t know why he has done it.

Mick - I know we've been a bit hit and miss, but I must admit it's come as a real shock this quick, after backing him and praising him all summer. They must have a replacement in mind to get in quickly with it being a 2 game week.

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

The latest episode of the Stoke City podcast from BBC Radio Stoke is out, reacting to the departure of head coach Steven Schumacher.

Lucas Yeomans, BBC Radio Stoke's Matt Sandoz and Phil Bowers look at what's happened and where Stoke City go next?

Listen here.