A ray of hope for Stoke City in the EFL Championship

Stoke City’s 2024-25 campaign in the EFL Championship has been anything but smooth. With three different managers taking charge this season—Steven Schumacher, Narcís Pèlach, and now Mark Robins—the club has struggled to find stability or a clear identity on the pitch.

What was initially expected to be a competitive squad, strengthened by several signings in August 2024, has instead found itself battling inconsistency and disappointing results.

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A Season of Instability

Robins recently secured his first league win as Stoke City’s manager in a 2-1 victory over Hull City, but prior to that, his only success had come in the FA Cup.

The team currently sits 18th in the EFL Championship, with 32 points from 30 matches. Their record of 7 wins, 11 draws, and 12 losses reflects their ongoing struggles, and they remain the league’s lowest-scoring team, having managed just 28 goals while conceding 37—leaving them with a -9 goal difference.

FA Cup and the Road Ahead

Despite their poor league form, Stoke City still has a chance to regain momentum in the FA Cup, where they will face Cardiff City on February 8 in the next round of the historic competition.

The arrival of Ali Al-Hamadi, on loan from Ipswich Town, has brought some optimism, as the 22-year-old forward has already made an impact by scoring on his debut. The club hopes that his presence can improve their attacking output, helping them climb further away from the relegation zone.

As the season progresses, Stoke City must find a way to solidify their tactics under Robins and rediscover their competitive edge.

While promotion to the Premier League now seems like an impossible dream, the priority must be securing their place in the Championship and advancing as far as possible in the FA Cup. Their next few matches will be crucial in determining whether they can turn things around.