Stoke City stayed up on the final day of the 2024/25 season. This season sees them going through the motions in April, nothing to play for. This campaign, Stoke have been in the top two for 43 days, the third-most of any club. A promising start, hampered by injuries to key players, but ultimately capital … Continue reading This has not been progress
The eye test: Southampton (A)
"I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days, before you've actually left them" 3 wins in 3 and top of the league is one thing, but Stoke's win on the south coast was by far the most significant statement of the Mark Robins era so far. Under Pressure The … Continue reading The eye test: Southampton (A)
The eye test: Sheffield Wednesday (A)
Sambegou Bangoura and Mamady Sidibe were on the scoresheet last time Stoke won at Hillsborough, with Johan Boskamp's men lifting themselves to seventh in the table in November 2005. A lot has happened since then for both clubs, but it's taken The Owls to be in a particularly poor state for Stoke to break their … Continue reading The eye test: Sheffield Wednesday (A)
Meet Stoke City, a club failing to hit ‘reset’
“Meet the new boss, same as the old boss” Stoke didn’t really reset during pre-season as much as they remained on standby. After four opening games in which criticism of Michael O’Neill intensified on the airwaves, terraces and social media cesspits, the verdict for the season is already in with 42 games to go. We’re … Continue reading Meet Stoke City, a club failing to hit ‘reset’
Stoke City Legends: Mark Stein
Association football is lovingly referred to around the world as the ‘beautiful game’ and it has been a constant source of iconic sporting images throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. There are certain photographs which are instantly recognisable to football supporters, either because they showcase a special moment in time or encompass the emotions … Continue reading Stoke City Legends: Mark Stein
Things can only get better: Why Stoke should stick with Nathan Jones
The numbers don’t just say stick with Jones, they scream it. Ask any professional stats person, which I am in no way one of, and they will tell you that the rule of thumb is that you can control 50% of what goes on in a football match. This means the other 50% is up … Continue reading Things can only get better: Why Stoke should stick with Nathan Jones
Shithouse? What Shithouse?
I’d like to start with a moan. Could Frank Lampard’s Derby County politely piss off into oblivion. ‘Oooo don’t they play good football. Oooo they gave Chelsea (‘s reserves) a good game. I bet Stoke fans wish they didn’t have Rowett.’ Piss off. (If any Derby fans are reading this yes, I’m rattled). Put bluntly, … Continue reading Shithouse? What Shithouse?
Embrace The Chaos
A Week In Red, White & Purple September 22nd, 2018 4:30pm. We reach my dad’s car in one of the industrial car parks outside the Bet365, having opted to leave on 70 mins whilst Stoke trailed Blackburn by 3 goals. I check my phone, it’s 3-2. We pull away from the ground, messages fly in, … Continue reading Embrace The Chaos
A Clean (International) Break: How Rowett Can Fix Stoke
This was supposed to be about Joe Allen. I had a series of gifs with some proper MNF lines and circles going on them, but I’ve revaluated mine and Joe’s relationship and decided it is a toxic one and it only gets worse the more I feed it; so this isn’t going to be about … Continue reading A Clean (International) Break: How Rowett Can Fix Stoke
Championship Preview – Part 1
Resident stats nerd Tom Thrower takes a look at Stoke's opponents in the opening six games... Leeds United Pre-season Record: P6 W3 D2 L1 GF12 GA10 Last season Finished: 13th Marcelo Bielsa, provided he has not left before our clash on Sunday, is without doubt the most exciting manager in the Championship. The Argentinian, nicknamed … Continue reading Championship Preview – Part 1
The Wizards of Drivel Podcast 