Stoke City's recent performances have been a source of frustration for fans, primarily due to the team's defensive frailties and lack of clinical finishing in front of goal. These persistent issues led to the dismissal of Narcis Pelach as the team's head coach.
Mark Robins has since taken over the managerial role, bringing with him high expectations to revitalize the team and steer them in a positive direction.
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In the last three matches without Pelach, Stoke City has shown a relatively improved level of performance.
Positive week, 3 cleans sheets in a row @stokecity 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/WxQKQTOPbb
— Lynden Gooch (@LyndenGooch) January 5, 2025
Two of these matches were managed by interim coach Ryan Shawcross, with Mark Robins making his debut on January 4th. During these games, the team has managed to secure one win and two draws, keeping three clean sheets in the process.
This defensive solidity has been a positive sign for the club, although the offensive struggles persist.
The challenge of offensive inefficiency worries The Potters
Despite generating several clear goal-scoring opportunities, Stoke City has struggled to convert these chances, leading to a sense of frustration within the team.
The lack of effectiveness in front of goal remains a significant challenge that the team is working hard to address. The hope is that improving this aspect will boost the club's overall mentality as they face upcoming fixtures.
Stoke City's next challenge will be in the FA Cup against Sunderland on January 11th. This match promises to be exciting, especially considering that these two teams recently faced each other on December 29th, where Stoke City secured a last-minute victory with a goal from Tom Cannon. The team aims to replicate this success and advance to the next round of the FA Cup.