Stoke City are having a great season, the best that they have had in the Championship since being relegated from the Premier League.
At time of writing, they are second behind runaway leaders Coventry City.
But how have they achieved this turnaround? Here, I’ll give the three reasons I think are behind their success.
Mark Robins
Mark Robins took over as Stoke manager in January 2025, and recently signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract.
He joined after a very successful seven-year stint at Coventry, in which he took the Sky Blues from League Two to the Championship.
He also won the EFL Trophy in 2017, and in 2024 took Coventry to the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the first time since 1987, where they lost to his old club, Manchester United.
In 2022, Coventry narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League after losing on penalties to Luton Town in the play-off final.
Signing him was a masterstroke for Stoke.
They have struggled since being relegated from the Premier League in 2018, with their best results being two 14th place finishes in 2021 and 2022.
They have also been through a string of managers, including Gary Rowett and Alex Neil. Robins was appointed to stop that managerial merry-go-round.
What The Board Have Said
Former Stoke player and Sporting Director Jon Walters said: ‘At Coventry, Mark built something successful with a real identity and longevity, and he left the Club in a significantly better place than he found it.
‘That’s exactly what we want to achieve at Stoke City, and he has all the pedigree and experience to help us do that.’
Robins’ impact has been immediate, saving Stoke from relegation on the final day of last season. Now their ambitions are much higher, and Robins has got them fighting for promotion.
He has achieved this by instilling a new culture at the club, which has improved team spirit.
This includes banning mobile phones in the canteen and staff meetings, so that players can chat rather than staring at screens.
He has also reduced injuries by changing the squad’s training sessions.
They are now planned well in advance and focus on a different phase of play – attack, defence and transitions – with the intensity and length of the sessions lessening as matchday approaches.
Robins has changed the mood around the club, and morale is higher than it has ever been.
He is encouraging his players to enjoy their promotion challenge, and clearly they have bought into his methods.
Stoke City’s Squad Depth And Recruitment
Recruitment has been an issue for Stoke City, especially since the parachute payments from the Premier League have dried up.
Robins has made some shrewd additions to their squad, as well as utilising players that were already there.
Jon Walters runs a data and analytics team that researches each signing, and that is paying dividends.
They have brought in the likes of Welsh international left winger Sorba Thomas, who, along with right winger Million Manhoef, have added width and pace to the Potters’ flanks, which has transformed their attack.
Manhoef praised Thomas, saying: ‘Sorba has been brilliant. It makes it easier for the rest of the team if there is a threat on the left. If they have to focus on him, it opens up spaces somewhere else.
‘I think that makes us very dangerous on both sides, because when I’m getting doubled it frees up Sorba and vice versa. I think that’s why we’re scoring more and creating more chances.
‘He’s doing very well and has contributed to a lot of goals and assists already. I probably owe him a goal this season, but I’ve been loving playing with him because he creates chances for me and is having a big impact on the team.’
Robins has brought Lewis Baker back from a loan at Blackburn Rovers, a decision which seems to have rejuvenated the player.
The forward has scored 10 goals since he rejoined the Potters in January, including two in a recent 3-0 win over Oxford United.
Stoke City’s Academy
The youngsters in the academy are also impressing, as Stoke aim to develop stars of the future for their first team.
Defender Jaden Dixon is already an England Under-19 international and is being monitored by Chelsea.
Sol Sidibe – son of striker Mamady – was in talks to go to Aston Villa before PSV Eindhoven won his signature.
This is a good base for the club to build on if they are to continue their push for automatic promotion.
Stoke City’s Defensive Record
Stoke City have the best defensive record in the Championship, with only 12 goals conceded so far.
This, again, is partly down to the Potters’ summer recruitment.
Viktor Johansson, who only cost £800,000 from Rotherham United, has been in great form and is probably one of the best goalkeepers in the league right now.
The same goes for Junior Tchamadeu.
A steal at £300,000 from Colchester United, he has been an integral part of the defence, and provides an attacking threat, bombing down the right behind Manhoef.
Aaron Cresswell has great experience and leadership, the 35-year-old shoring up a defence that was leaky at times last season.
When injuries have struck the backline, other players have stepped into the breach well.
Ashley Phillips, on loan from Tottenham, replaced Bosun Lawal for several games and the transition was seamless.
When all of his defenders are fit, it will provide a nice selection headache for Robins.
If Stoke can keep up this defensive form, then there is no reason why they can’t be part of the promotion conversation at the end of the season.
Conclusion
Stoke might be the surprise package of the season. If they preserve this mean defensive record – and just add some more goals – they could make a surprise return to the Premier League.
It would be just reward for Mark Robins, who came so close with Coventry.
A wet Tuesday night in Stoke never looked so good.
