It's essential to see Stoke City back to winning ways after several winless matches. The team has faced tough times in the EFL Championship, particularly since Steven Schumacher was dismissed following the Oxford United match, which ended in a painful defeat for The Potters and ultimately led to Schumacher’s departure.
Since then, results under Narcís Pelach had not improved significantly, raising concerns among fans and club management. Despite the squad and player additions in the transfer window, the results had not been fruitful, leaving some uncertainty as to whether Pelach should be Stoke’s permanent manager or if the club should seek another option. This win, however, suggests that the team and its manager may just need time to make a positive impact this season.
READ MORE: Stoke City 2-1 Derby County | Crucial Three Points for The Potters
Stoke City in 16th Place in the EFL Championship
After the game against Derby County, where Stoke City clinched a thrilling 2-1 victory, the team showed a solid performance, controlling 54% of possession over 90 minutes and creating three clear scoring chances, two of which were converted. Stoke City’s superiority in this match could have easily ended in a draw, but thanks to Ben Gibson’s goal in the 82nd minute, they secured the win.
This marks their first victory in nearly four Championship games; since their last win on October 2, where they beat Portsmouth 6-1, Stoke City had accumulated one loss and three consecutive draws. This month-long gap without a win had created anxiety, but now, with this positive result, fans are feeling hopeful. Their support during the Derby County match gave the team the energy needed to break the 1-1 deadlock and claim three points.
Ice in his veins 🥶 pic.twitter.com/bJCfpZjH9A
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) November 2, 2024
Stoke City has now played 13 matches, amassing 15 points from 4 wins, 3 draws, and 6 losses—still a negative record, but one they hope to turn around following this morale-boosting win over Derby County.
The team is now focused on training and enhancing their effectiveness in front of goal as they prepare for a critical match against Blackburn Rovers on November 6. Blackburn currently sits in 7th place with 19 points from 13 matches, just 4 points ahead of Stoke City. Stoke aims to close this gap and inch closer to the top positions in the EFL Championship, knowing that every upcoming victory is crucial—especially in this away game against a strong opponent.