Stoke City

Stoke City manager Mark Robins says he wants to "hit the ground running" after "a bit of downtime" over the international break.

The Potters are fifth in the Championship but are winless in four matches after a 1-0 defeat to QPR on 20 September was followed by three consecutive draws.

"I think it is important for us all to have a bit of downtime, as it is such a long season," Robins told BBC Radio Stoke.

"It is really intense and the opportunity to take some time is important.

"We never stop working anyway, you are always looking at clips and bits of games of what has gone and what is coming up next - but it is full on.

"So, to take a little bit of time out is really important to try and clear your mind and get a fresh look at things when you come back to it."

Stoke host Wrexham on Saturday when Robins will see some familiar faces in the form of Ben Sheaf and Callum Doyle, both of who played under him during his tenure at Coventry City.

"Wrexham have got a new team that they put together in the summer," said Robins.

"It looks like they have made real significant strides again this season. So, they will want to continue that, we want to puncture that a little bit. We are after the three points as much as they are.

"Hopefully we can hit the ground running again coming back from an international break like we have done previously."

Listen to the full interview with Robins and more Stoke City content on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Opta

The international break is finally over and Stoke will seek to get back to winning ways when they welcome Wrexham to the Bet365 on Saturday (15:00 BST).

After taking 12 points from their opening five matches to sit in the automatic promotion places, the Potters are winless in their past four, taking three points and scoring only twice in that run, to sit fifth.

Wrexham are 13 places behind them but only five points back in a congested table, having lost just one of their past seven games.

• This will be the first Football League meeting between Stoke City and Wrexham since a 1-0 win for the Potters in April 2002, with Andy Cooke scoring the winner in that third tier encounter.

• In the Football League, Wrexham have lost 11 of their 12 games against Stoke City, with their only win coming on the road in February 1999 (3-1).

• Stoke's 92% win ratio against Wrexham in the Football League (11 wins in 12 meetings) is the second-best of any side in Football League history against an opponent they've faced 10+ times – only Man Utd vs Wigan (94%, 15 wins in 16 games) have a better ratio.

• Wrexham have drawn each of their past three games 1-1, against Derby, Leicester and Birmingham. They last had a longer run of draws in the Football League in November/December 1999 (6 in a row).

• Stoke's Sorba Thomas has created the most chances in the Championship this season (25), also creating the most chances in open play (19). He's assisted four of Stoke's 11 league goals in 2025-26.

When it comes to Stoke City's chances of enjoying a good season in the Championship, Potters left-back Aaron Cresswell asks "why can't we?".

Stoke are fifth in the table, having lost just two matches and conceding the joint fewest goals (six) alongside Middlesbrough.

However, three successive draws have seen them drop out of the top two.

Cresswell says the side have got their eyes on sticking around as potential promotion contenders.

"The break has come at the right time. We'd obviously drawn the last three games which is frustrating from our part," the Liverpudlian told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I think we've had a really good start but that's all it is, it's only a start. We've got to keep pushing each other, striving for better.

"It's certainly a fantastic achievement in the first nine games and we want to be in there come game 46."

Listen to the full interview with Cresswell and more Stoke City content on BBC Sounds.

"The fact that we just missed out on a couple of wins and got draws instead, that's still a very, very good month in the grand scheme of things. I know it doesn't look like that on paper, but it's really not that bad."

Lucas Yeomans and Ben Rowley discuss a low-scoring, four-match winless run and predict how the results might unfold between now and the next international break in November.

Listen to the full episode of A Cold Wet Tuesday Night and more Stoke City content on BBC Sounds.

Mark Elliott
BBC Radio Stoke commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Three games in a row have found three different ways to frustrate Stoke City.

First was dominance unrewarded against Norwich, next came a brilliant finish that couldn't quite get over the line at Middlesbrough and then there was a controlled start at Blackburn that unravelled after a beautifully-taken goal had given Stoke a lead.

As Mark Robins rightly reiterated after the game, the Championship is relentless and this may have been a game too far at the end of three games in a week - with two away from home.

Perhaps it was mental fatigue rather than physical tiredness for a squad that again rotated with five changes made to the side which impressed in the north east, but as the match wore on, mistakes crept in.

Robins was frustrated post-match, as was the goalscorer Million Manhoef, who came out for his interviews wearing the look of a man in a rush for success.

It's another sign of how far Stoke have come that each of these draws have been met with disappointment, but the manager hit the nail on the head when talking about the situation his team are in.

He spoke about the great position Stoke have found themselves in early in the campaign and a desperation to capitalise. He spoke about these draws as chances missed and about wanting to make the most of the improvements his team have made.

To do that, they have to score more goals. Defensively, Stoke have been impressive this season and they've played some brilliant football between the boxes, but here they were again guilty of profligacy in front of goal.

If they can make better decisions in the final third, they'll be one of the best teams in the league. The frustration is there because they're so close to getting it right, but six points worse off for not having done so yet.

Steven Nzonzi says he returned to Stoke because he wants to finish his playing career on a high at a place which holds such fond memories for him.

The 36-year-old midfielder played more than 100 games for the Potters between 2012 and 2015 before big-money moves to Sevilla and later Roma, while he spent the past four seasons playing in Qatar, Turkey and Iran before penning a one-year deal at the Bet365 Stadium in August.

He told BBC Radio Stoke: "It's been great to be back. I didn't expect to play here again, it was a surprise but I was very happy about it.

"It's one of the teams where I have enjoyed playing the most. I had a great time here so I'm very happy to be back.

"The first time I went to the stadium or the training ground it brings back so many memories and it's a great feeling. I only have good memories here."

Nzonzi came off the bench to help France win the 2018 World Cup final against Croatia but said he was "frustrated" with the standard of play in the Middle East and wanted to show what he could do in a top league before hanging up his boots.

He said: "I wanted to come back to Europe in a competitive league because I feel my body is still good and I believe I can still play at a high level. I believe I can still help the team.

"I had a couple of years in the Middle East and it was a good experience but I was a little frustrated. I wanted to finish on a better note, in a good team at a good level. I believe Stoke was the best place for me to do that."

Nzonzi came off the bench to a hero's reception in the 1-1 draw with Norwich last Saturday and, after being an unused sub in the 0-0 stalemate at Middlesbrough on Tuesday, will hope to be involved at Blackburn on Saturday - the club where he spent three years before first joining Stoke in 2012.

"It was an unbelievable feeling. I want to thank the fans who have always been great to me - one of the reasons I am back," he added.

" Hopefully I can put on some good performances when I get some more minutes."

Stoke City boss Mark Robins has confirmed that defender Bosun Lawal will be on the sidelines for several weeks after picking up a "significant" hamstring injury.

Lawal will also miss out on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, with boss Heimir Hallgrimsson stating that the versatile footballer will be out for four to five weeks.

Robins is not so certain on the timeline provided by the Icelandic manager.

"It might be shorter, it might be longer, who knows but he's got a significant hamstring injury so it's a real blow," the Potters boss told BBC Radio Stoke.

"Without a shadow of a doubt, he's been one of the best players not just here but in the whole Championship."

Listen to the full interview with Robins and more Stoke City content on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Opta

Stoke could return to the top-two of the Championship, for a few hours at least, with victory at Blackburn on Saturday lunchtime (12:30 BST).

The Potters had to settle for a goalless draw at unbeaten leaders Middlesbrough on Tuesday night, and slipped to third behind Coventry, after a third straight game without a win.

Mark Robins' hopes will be high, however, as City have a a fine record against Rovers of late, especially at Ewood Park.

Third-bottom Blackburn have also lost all four home games this season in all competitions and have lost three of their past four games overall, scoring only twice.

• Blackburn Rovers have lost five of their past seven league games against Stoke City (W2), though have scored exactly three goals in both of those victories.

• Stoke City have lost just one of their past 10 away league games against Blackburn Rovers since 2009 (W6 D3), keeping seven clean sheets during that time.

• Since winning four consecutive league games in April, Blackburn Rovers have only won two of their past eight games in the Championship (D1 L5), losing each of the last two.

• Stoke won their first three matches of the Championship season, yet have won just one of their five matches in the competition since then (D2 L2), while scoring just twice across the five fixtures.

• Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael won his first league game against Stoke in February 2021 (2-0 in charge of Barnsley), but is winless in four league matches against them since (D1 L3).

Stoke defender Ashley Phillips says the stability at the club this summer has given them the platform for their fast start.

The 20-year-old Tottenham loanee helped Stoke move second in the Championship courtesy of a 0-0 draw at unbeaten leaders Middlesbrough on Tuesday night and told BBC Radio Stoke: "On another day I think we win that.

"I think we started slow but second half did very well and were unlucky not to get the three points, but we'll look back and it's a big point.

"When you're creating that many chances it's a positive sign. It's something to build on and I think the start we've had to this season is very good."

Phillips was recalled to the starting XI at Riverside Stadium after four games on the bench, and added: "They're the games you want to play in.

"We've done well to get a result and it's down to squad depth. We're all pushing each other, challenging each other, keeping each other fit so when you come in you're almost slotting back in.

"The lads have been excellent. It's pushed me to become a better player. I've had to be patient but when my chance comes it's up to me to take it. The clean sheet is a positive start."

Manager Mark Robins was appointed at Bet365 Stadium on New Year's Day after the departure of Steven Schumacher and Narcis Pelach over a three-month spell, and Phillips, who was also on loan at the Potters last season, continued: "The fact we're disappointed we didn't pick up a win is a great sign.

"We've come on loads from last season. This time last year we maybe could have lost that.

"We have made a positive start so hopefully we can keep building on that.

"There's a lot more stability this season - the gaffer has had a pre-season and the players are buying into what he wants to do. If we can keep going I'm sure we'll have a very positive season."

Click here to listen to the full interview and more via BBC Sounds.

Mark Elliott
BBC Radio Stoke commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Robert Bozenik puffed out his cheeks and looked to the heavens as he pulled a bib over his head and slumped down into his seat in the dugout.

His last touch of the game should have given Stoke the lead but he missed a brilliant chance before being replaced and Middlesbrough escaped with their unbeaten record intact.

He wasn't the only one guilty of wastefulness in an otherwise brilliant second-half performance from Stoke City.

Tomas Rigo should have scored having had time to take a touch inside the box but saw his effort saved while Sorba Thomas, Eric Bocat and Ben Wilmot all went close.

This was the second game in four days in which Stoke had to settle for a draw when they might - and possibly should - have won, but the positives coming out of both games far outweigh the negatives.

Middlesbrough could have had a penalty in the first half and had chances of their own but they are top of the league, unbeaten, were at home and still clinging on for most of the second period.

Goals will come if Stoke continue to play and create as they have done since an underwhelming performance at QPR proved to be a blip rather than a new normal.

It looks like they have far too much quality in attack not to convert a higher percentage of those chances as the weeks go on.

This game also allowed Ashley Phillips, Lamine Cisse and Bozenik to come into the side and Bocat to get valuable game time - and the depth of the squad looks decent.

On this evidence Cisse will need time to adapt to the pace of the Championship, but a team showing five changes from the game with Norwich was competitive enough, even before half time, against as good an opposition as the division has to offer.

None of Stoke's next four opponents are higher than 11th in the table, so on the face of it, similar performances to the past two over that run of fixtures should yield a good haul of points.

Image source, Getty Images

Manager Mark Robins says there was plenty to be proud of as Stoke City shared the points with Championship leaders Middlesbrough.

The draw moved the Potters up to second as they came close to ending Boro's unbeaten start to the season, particularly in a strong second half showing.

Robins told BBC Radio Stoke: "The second half we were much better because we were more compact. When we were pressing first half, we got stretched.

"They're a good team, well coached - they had an extra body in midfield and it changed the way we could go about things.

"The second half, we were on the front foot as much as we possibly could, but it became a basketball game in the end because we kept turning the ball over.

"But it was a really good performance, a good team performance and one we can be proud of because these are flying at the moment."

Forward Divin Mubama says he's enjoying life on loan at Stoke and is learning from Potters boss Mark Robins.

The 20-year-old Manchester City loanee and England Under-21 international has scored two goals in his first seven starts as Stoke have established themselves among the early front-runners.

They head to Championship leaders Middlesbrough on Tuesday with the opportunity to close the gap to a point with a win at the Riverside (19:45 BST).

"I've enjoyed it, I'm playing, so far so good and the team is progressing well," Mubama told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I came in here with an open mind and to try to perfect my craft and improve with every game.

"The manager being a centre-forward means you can relate to him, the advice he gives to me is something I take on and has really helped me so far.

"The Championship is intense, very physical, I kind of expected it would be a lot on the body but it's good, I love it. It's a different level."

Click here to hear the full interview with BBC Radio Stoke.

Image source, Opta

Table-topping Middlesbrough will seek to extend their perfect home record when Stoke head to The Riverside on Tuesday night (19:45 BST).

The Potters are third, four points adrift of unbeaten Boro, who came back to draw 1-1 at Southampton on Saturday.

Rob Edwards' men are the third leading scorers in the Championship while having the stingiest defence with just five goals conceded in their opening seven matches.

Mark Robins' Potters also came from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Norwich on Saturday but after winning their first two away games, they went down 1-0 at QPR in their most recent away game.

• Middlesbrough completed a league double over Stoke City last season, and could win three in a row against the Potters for only the second time since WWII, after June 2020.

• Stoke have won on just one of their past nine league visits to Middlesbrough (D2 L6), a 2-0 victory in October 2023.

• Middlesbrough have won all three of their Championship home games this season, and could win each of their opening four home matches of a second tier campaign for the sixth time, after 1925-26, 1969-70, 1971-72, 1991-92, and 2018-19.

• Stoke have won three of their past six away league games (D1 L2), as many as their previous 20 beforehand (W3 D5 L12).

• Middlesbrough's Rob Edwards has won both of his previous managerial games against Stoke in the Championship, each with Luton in February 2023 (1-0) and December 2024 (2-1).

Mark Elliott
BBC Radio Stoke's Potters commentator

Image source, Rex Features

That Stoke only took a point from the game against Norwich was undoubtedly disappointing but the dominance they displayed is a cause for huge optimism.

Tomas Rigo is a player. As the game went on he grew in influence, roaming and finding pockets of space and showcasing his creativity as his confidence grew.

His central midfield colleague Tatsuki Seko was outstanding deputising for the injured Lewis Baker while the front four all had great moments without getting the little details right, away from a well taken equaliser from Sorba Thomas.

Mark Robins used the word "detail" repeatedly after the game and it's those small actions in big moments that Stoke can look to as they try and improve again as a unit.

That they're already in a position where they can sweat the small stuff is a positive in itself but individuals making the best possible decision in big moments and executing the choice with precision more often than not is what will turn a good team into a great one that can realistically compete for promotion.

The basics are there. Work rate, endeavour and will were showcased in abundance and the crowd at the bet365 Stadium are responding with incredible support.

When Steven Nzonzi made his return to the pitch in the second half, a World Cup winner's medal richer than when he first left the Potteries all those years ago, the reception was thunderous.

Robins said his smart watch warned him about dangerous noise levels nearby as the crowd got right behind his team.

Get the details right over the coming weeks and all the talk will focus on decibels and just how far this side can go.

Stoke boss Mark Robins was proud of his side's performance despite seeing them drop points at home to Norwich.

The Potters manager told BBC Radio Stoke:

"From minute one we were really good, we looked dangerous and I thought we deserved more.

"We were in the ascendancy from the off and to a man we were outstanding, that is probably the most dominant we have ben in games this season. They were hanging on, the only downside was we didn't take the three points.

"I thought we worked really hard, it is just the fine details we need to tighten up in the final third. We have had a lot of chance to go out and win the game.

"We had one brief spell of making stupid decisions, which gave them an opening and they took advantage."

Stoke City manager Mark Robins has been speaking to the media before the Potters' clash with Norwich City on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Here are the main talking points:

• Robins believes the Championship is "pretty open" with most teams viable promotion contenders. He sees Middlesbrough as the "early pacesetters" but says his side have "done pretty well."

• He says Stoke's biggest achievements this season has been finding ways to beat varying qualities of opponents and getting away wins. Robins added "the evolution has been significant" from when he took over, with Stoke City 19th in the Championship in January compared to second in the league currently.

• Despite an ideal start, Robins has warned the players not to get complacent. Good performances and graft, "competitiveness" and "desire" must be maintained by the players to ensure success.

• Robins predicts Saturday's game against Norwich to be "a real challenge" and acknowledges joint Championship leading goalscorer Josh Sargent is a big threat for the visitors.

Listen to the full interview with Mark Robins and more Stoke content on Sounds.

Image source, Opta

Norwich City travel to Stoke City on Saturday (15:00 BST) as 15th in the Championship takes on second.

Norwich are yet to lose on the road in the league this season but will aim to tighten up the defence after keeping only one clean sheet so far against 10-man Blackburn Rovers.

After a fast start, Stoke City have lost twice in their last three league games.

• Stoke City are winless in their last nine league meetings with Norwich (D3 L6) since a 1-0 away win in October 2018.

• Having lost six of their seven away league games against Stoke between 2005 and 2016 (W1), Norwich are now unbeaten in their last five visits (W2 D3).

• No side has conceded fewer Championship goals this season than Stoke (4), with the Potters yet to concede more than once in any of their six games so far.

• Norwich are unbeaten in all three of their away league games so far this season (W2 D1), in stark contrast to their home form of which they have lost all three.

• No player has scored more Championship goals this season than Norwich's Josh Sargent, with his five goals coming from just seven shots on target.

Image source, BBC Sport

A potential move to take the Championship play-offs down to eighth place would damage the competition's credibility, according to former Huddersfield, Stoke and Middlesbrough defender Tommy Smith.

The EFL board is set to discuss proposals to increase the number of teams in the end-of-season play-offs from four to six but Smith, who was promoted to the Premier League with Huddersfield via the play-offs in 2017 is not a fan of the idea.

"It's not for me - I think it suits teams who don't really have a chance to get in the top six," he told the BBC's EFL podcast 72+.

"From a credibility point of view the top six is there to be aimed at and you have to earn your place in it."

The play-offs were first introduced for the 1986-87 season where sides finishing third down to fifth were involved along with the team third-from-bottom in the top flight.

After two seasons the format was changed to be played out between teams finishing third to sixth in the second tier.

"To finish eighth in the Championship and potentially get promoted to the Premier League it just doesn't sit right with me," added Smith.

"Notoriously over the past years getting into the top six is tough and when you get in there after a long hard season it feels brilliant, so to make it a top eight it dilutes it."