Important moments are ahead for Stoke City, as Narcis Pelach’s squad prepares for a highly competitive October in the EFL Championship and the Carabao Cup. Stoke City faces five difficult and exciting matches in the EFL Championship, with several of them at home, where the team hopes to show a much better version of itself.
Additionally, there’s a Carabao Cup fixture where Stoke City will visit Southampton, a tough Premier League opponent. In total, six matches await Stoke City during the month of October.
READ MORE: Stoke City's Feedback for September
A Crucial Moment for Narcis Pelach’s Squad
The recently appointed manager, who took over after the dismissal of Steven Schumacher, is expected to guide the team through a better period after the struggles seen earlier in the season.
Stoke City currently sits in a very challenging position in the EFL Championship, occupying 20th place, just one point above the relegation zone. To start October, Stoke City will host Portsmouth in what promises to be a competitive match, with hopes of securing a much-needed victory.
In addition to Portsmouth, Stoke City will also face Swansea City, Norwich City, Bristol City, and Sheffield United in October, all within the EFL Championship. This is a critical month for the team, as they must produce their best performances to collect essential points in the competition.
Narcís calls for aggression and positivity ahead of forthcoming fixtures.
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) September 28, 2024
Full interview ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/w6EkfGRJS9
Finally, at the end of the month, Stoke City will take on Southampton in the Carabao Cup on October 29th. This exciting encounter gives Stoke City an opportunity to surprise in the tournament. However, the priority remains on the EFL Championship, as this competition is Stoke City's path to returning to the Premier League.
Unfortunately, the team's poor start to the season has shown a steady decline since the pre-season. Several players have struggled to reach their expected levels of performance, and the transition to a new manager has also contributed to the challenges.
Narcis Pelach must carefully evaluate his players and training sessions, as it’s essential for the Catalan manager to directly influence the motivation of the squad in order to yield positive results during the 2024 season.