Stoke squad must run through brick walls - Robins

Stoke City boss Mark Robins says he wants a squad that will "run through brick walls" this season as they try to meet club owner John Coates' wish for a competitive challenge for promotion.

The Potters begun pre-season in earnest last week in preparation for another shot at a Premier League return, eight years after dropping out of the top flight in 2018.

In those eight seasons since relegation, Stoke's best-placed finish in the Championship is 14th.

They ended last term in 17th position, 18 points off the play-off places despite spending much of the first half of the campaign in the top six.

The club have been busy in the transfer market this summer following sporting director Jonathan Walters' promise of "multiple signings", bringing in five new players - Ethan Galbraith, Svante Ingelsson, Djibril Soumare, Luke Graham and Josh Griffiths - as well as making Milan Smit's move permanent.

Robins said he is pleased with the business done so far.

"It's really early and we've got a long way to go, there's no doubt, but we've got some really good players in the building," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"It's just getting them back up to speed and doing that as safe as possible whilst really grafting."

Heading into the new season, how Stoke play and shape their identity as a team has been highlighted with Walters adamant more possession and energy will be key factors.

"There's little bits that need to change," Robins agreed. "You look at the culture and what I want, we want, as a football club, to really run through brick walls for the supporters.

"You've got to get to that point gradually, you can't just do it straight away and players have got to take time and recognise that and that's something that is going to be non-negotiable.

"If you don't want to do it, you're leaving them behind. But we've got to make sure that everybody understands and is fit enough and capable enough to do it."

Stoke were one of just three Championship clubs to record a profit in 2024-25, but only did so because a £90m loan was waived by Coates to offset what otherwise would have been a £29m loss.

Under new Squad Cost Rules (SCR) in the second tier this season, clubs can spend 85% of their income on players and managers, with owners allowed to inject up to £33m over three years - providing they do not top up the kitty by more than £15m per season.

Coates' continued support has enabled Stoke to rebuild again for another shot at the big time and Robins said a return on that investment needs to be seen.

"We spoke the other day and the owners made it clear, we're looking to be challenging for that top eight," he said.

"Which is a kind of pressure, but one you've got to look forward to because he's right. He's spent fortunes and got nothing apart from heartache and maybe some stick and we've got to change it.

"Which is why the ethos has got to change. People can't come here for an easy ride, so we're going to graft and they've got to get on with it because if you don't do it, you will not play - you cannot play - because we've got to do things together.

"We've got to do things right for our supporters, for everybody, the owner and we've got to make sure that comes to the fore really quickly."