Stoke City

The latest episode of BBC Radio Stoke's A Cold Wet Tuesday Night podcast is out now.

Lucas Yeomans, Matt Sandoz and Louis Moult discuss two great goals that helped Stoke go five games unbeaten before the international break.

Listen above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

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Former Stoke City defender Ian Cranson believes the Potters' increased squad depth can help them maintain their positive start to the campaign.

Stoke were top of the Championship in the early stages of last season but results took a downward turn in November.

They ended up finishing in 17th place, just eight points above relegation.

However, five of Stoke's new summer additions have scored in the Championship so far this season to help them to seventh place - Jack McGlynn, Ben Johnson, Justin Devenny, Ethan Galbraith and George Hirst.

It is their impact that Cranson believes can help the team keep up their momentum.

"We had this last year where they were good until November and then all of a sudden the wheels came off, but I think the big difference this year is that we seem to have a lot more quality in depth," Cranson said.

"Players are coming on the field and players that are replacing injured players are hitting the ground running.

"They are adding to the team, there is not one of them haven't contributed anything."

Stoke will return to action following the international break against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, 10 October.

Listen to the full reaction below or on BBC Sounds here.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's match between Stoke City and Sheffield United.

Here are some of your comments:

Stoke City fans

David: Stoke were by far the better side, dominated the first half. Were unfortunate to go behind after Bamford won a dubious free-kick and Phillips beat Johansson at the near post. Stoke fought back with a special from McGlynn the USA international and then Gallagher, back from injury, scored a cracker to seal the win and a deserved three points for Stoke.

Selina: Fantastic win. It's harsh and funny that it [Sam Gallagher's winner] was offside. What a way to win a game.

Steve: Quite splendid. Three straight home wins for the first time in years. Robins looks and sounds happy, the players are a team on and off the pitch. It's only September but we are looking ok for at least a top half finish for the first time since relegation.

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Sheffield United fans

Garry: The club is in a mess. This is what happens when you sell your best players, don't spend the proceeds and bring in frees and loans.

Martin: Sorry Chris, it's time to go. No play patterns, weak in defence, not creating chances.

Dave: Nothing has changed from last season. Can't win a tackle or a 50-50 ball. Can't pass to their own player or keep possession. No running off the ball, no forward line. Oh the change... they sold their best three players. Wilder has passed his sell-by date.

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Stoke City produced two goal of the season candidates to find a way past Sheffield United and head into the elongated international break in the best possible way.

The Championship can consider itself warned about the quality Jack McGlynn has when it comes to shooting from anywhere inside 35 yards from goal.

In following up the one he scored with his weaker right foot at Watford with a screamer with his left, McGlynn announced himself as a legitimate goalscoring midfielder in this division just weeks after his move from MLS.

What might help him to continue to fly under the radar is the fact that Sam Gallagher outdid him a few minutes later from a similar distance.

Ethan Galbraith's commitment to finding a forward pass makes Stoke far more dangerous, but his ball over Gallagher's shoulder left him with a lot to do.

The touch under pressure was perfect and the strike was even better, further underlying the fact that he possesses a mix of brute force and subtlety that few players in the second tier can boast.

Justin Devenny and Galbraith have come up with decisive moments in recent weeks, as has Eric Bocat, and the depth of quality available to boss Mark Robins only improved further with the return of Junior Tchamadeu off the bench after injury.

It's three weeks until Stoke play again, at Bolton, but everyone involved from fans to coaches and players can enjoy the break in matches at the right end of the Championship table after a run of form that gives cause for genuine optimism.

Stoke City want to keep pushing forward as they look to extend a four-game unbeaten run in the Championship, head coach Mark Robins has said.

After losing their opening three league matches, the Potters have taken 10 points from a possible 12 to move up to 12th place in the Championship table.

Robins is keen for his team to go into the international break on a positive note against Sheffield United on Saturday (12:30 BST).

"You've got a lot of games that have been packed in - we've got the sport science team who are around that, so we have to adhere to those protocols but we'll work within the parameters we're got to try to maximise the availability of everybody," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"We're in a decent spot but nobody is resting on their laurels. We want to push forward as much as we can, as quickly as we can but there's a lot of optimism and confidence which can't be misplaced - you have to keep grafting."

Stoke have lost all three games against Sheffield United since Robins became head coach in January 2025 and he hopes they can put on a better show this time.

"We want to continue in the same vain in our ethos and the way we've gone about the games," said the former Coventry boss.

"We've got a different challenge against a different team with a really experienced manager but we have to try to get closer to them than we have in the past."

Listen to more Stoke City content and interviews on BBC Sounds.

This will be the 114th meeting in all competitions between Stoke City and Sheffield United when the sides meet on Saturday (12:30 BST).

The Blades are hoping to recover from exiting the Carabao Cup at the hands of League Two Fleetwood on Wednesday, while Stoke have taken 10 points from a possible 12 in the Championship.

• Stoke have lost each of their past five league meetings with Sheffield United since a 3-1 win in October 2022 under Alex Neil.

• Sheffield United have won away to Stoke in both of the past two Championship seasons, and could win three successive away league games against the Potters for just the second time, after April 1960.

• Stoke have won three of their past four Championship games (D1), as many as their previous 23 beforehand (W3 D6 L14).

• Sheffield United are unbeaten in five away league games (W3 D2), the longest ongoing run of all current Championship clubs.

• Only Rio Cardines (5) has more Championship goal involvements this season among defenders than Stoke's Eric Bocat (4 - 2 goals, 2 assists).

Image source, Getty Images

Former Manchester United and Nottingham Forest coach Warren Joyce has joined Stoke City's academy coaching team.

The 61-year-old has been appointed professional development phase coach and was on the sidelines for Wednesday night's Premier League International Cup defeat by Borussia Monchengladbach.

Joyce spent eight years as part of Manchester United's coaching setup and a further five at Forest which included an FA Youth Cup final loss to United in 2022.

He has also managed Royal Antwerp, Wigan Athletic and Melbourne City at senior level.

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Luke Graham says he has aspired to be like "fellow lefty" Andy Robertson and now they are international team-mates.

The 22-year-old Stoke City centre-half was previously in the Scotland squad without playing but has been called up by new national head coach Sebastien Pocognoli, with Robertson retaining his place in the squad.

Robertson has now captained his country at three major tournaments and joined Tottenham Hotspur this summer from Liverpool while Graham left Dundee for Stoke.

"It's a very, very proud moment for me and my family," Graham said of his senior international call-up before his club's weekend fixture with Sheffield United.

"One of the main reasons I play football is to hopefully try and play for my country. I've done it at 21s level so far, but to make that step up to the first team is just unbelievable. I mean, I can't really put it into words, really.

"Some of the players that they've got in that national team are Champions League winners, Premier League players. Learning from them will be absolutely vital.

"Andy Robertson, the captain of the country, he's been such a big figure in there for a number of years now. Being a fellow lefty as well, he was always someone that I looked up to and aspired to be like."

The latest episode of BBC Radio Stoke's A Cold Wet Tuesday Night podcast is out now.

Lucas Yeomans, Matt Sandoz and former striker Louis Moult discuss a rare away win at Watford, a first second-half goal of the season and Stoke City's resident 'good boy'...

Listen above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Mark Elliott
BBC Radio Stoke’s Stoke City Commentator

Image source, Rex Features

When Jack McGlynn dummied to shoot, cut back inside around the attempted block from Edo Kayembe, and placed his shot inside the far post with his weaker right foot, Stoke took a lead their dominance deserved.

At Watford they produced as good an away performance as we have seen from the Potters for some time, and Eric Bocat's low drive on the other side of the break wrapped the points up.

At that point, it looked like Stoke could register a much bigger win than they eventually did, but despite fading as the second half wore on, they never looked anything other than in control.

McGlynn, Justin Devenny and Ethan Galbraith have taken it in turns to provide goals and decisive attacking performances more generally over the past few games, and the latter was excellent again.

But amongst the good performances from new signings there were reminders from those who have been around a little while longer that they still have something to offer.

Lamine Cisse worked really hard up front, hit the bar and had two goals ruled out for offside, and Maksym Talovierov finally looks like the dominant centre-back Stoke thought they were signing when he joined last summer.

Stoke still have work to do to achieve the capacity to maintain performance levels deeper into the second half of games, but when they are on it they look like a solid team that carries a real threat.

If they can build on the past four games unbeaten and the three wins within that with another positive result against Sheffield United next week, they will have turned a shaky start to the season into a really good points return from the eight games before the first international break.

Stoke City boss Mark Robins spoke to BBC Radio Stoke after their win against Watford. For a written selection of his quotes, click here.

Watford ended a two-game losing run by beating Preston 2-1 on Tuesday evening.

Stoke City head to Vicarage Road on Saturday (15:00 BST) with only a point from their three away games in the Championship.

• Watford have won four of their past five home league matches against Stoke City (D1), after losing three in a row.

• Stoke won their last Championship game against Watford 3-1 in March last season, but have not won consecutive meetings in the second tier since December 2004 (four in a row).

• After their 2-1 win over Preston, Watford could win back-to-back Championship games for the first time in 2026.

• Stoke are winless in 12 away league games (D3 L9), their longest run since going 13 without a win in the Premier League in April 2018.

Stoke City boss Mark Robins is finding the challenging schedule of games along with bedding in new players "exciting and fun".

The Potters have taken seven points from a possible nine having lost their opening three games and Robins is taking great confidence from their upturn in form.

"We've picked up seven points in a week which was much needed after a hectic transfer window and everything else that comes with that," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"It's exciting because there are things to do and for me to get my teeth into and the response from the players has been great."

Stoke added three players on deadline day in Crystal Palace midfielder Justin Devenny and the American duo of midfielder Jack McGlynn and left-back Luca Bombino.

Robins has overseen a period of six games inside 17 days and is preparing his side to visit Watford on Saturday (15:00 BST).

"The intensity is great and the level of detail that goes into things and the amount of players we've got and new players we've got, it's challenging but fun," he added.

"There's an opportunity there to improve and improve players and their understanding which will get better over time and that's the part you look forward to.

"For me it's exciting and after the Sheffield United game [19 September] we've got a three-week period between games."

Listen to more Stoke City interviews and content on BBC Sounds.

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Stoke City are mourning the passing of their former forward Harry Burrows who has died at the age of 85.

The Potters paid £27,000 for Burrows when he joined from Aston Villa in March 1965.

He scored 79 goals in 281 appearances during his eight years with Stoke and is 13th on the list of the club's all-time top scorers.

Burrows was part of the side which reached back-to-back FA Cup semi-finals in 1971 and 1972 but missed their League Cup win at Wembley in '72 because of injury.

He left Stoke to join Plymouth in 1973 where he made 19 appearances, scoring three goals.

Former teammate Terry Conroy told the Stoke City website: , external"He was a terrific footballer with a cannonball shot - it was once measured as the hardest shot in the game.

"He was such a genial lad; there are some people in life that everybody gets on with and Harry was one of them."

Mark Elliott
BBC Radio Stoke’s Stoke City Commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Ben Johnson had no right to score from the position he found himself in, chasing a hopefully lofted Robert Bozenik ball into the Cardiff box with angles against him and two defenders for company.

That the ball ended up in the net from there and not from one of the many clear-cut chances spurned by both sides certainly came as a surprise.

In truth, Cardiff were the more wasteful, particularly during a dominant second half.

They did score once, through Joel Colwill, but hit the woodwork three times, missed several very presentable opportunities and finished with an xG (Expected Goals) of 2.93.

Stoke's was down at 0.75, the largest portion of which may have come from a George Hirst chance when he ran through on goal and never looked entirely convincing in forcing a save from Nathan Trott.

The Potters finished with just 29% of the possession and couldn't find a way to get up the pitch often enough as the game went on, dropping deep and failing to get enough pressure on the ball.

When they did take possession they wasted it too frequently which was frustrating in a game in which they always carried a threat.

But this is a team that has barely trained together after major changes late in the transfer window and that has also changed its tactical approach significantly in adopting a back three.

While looking a little disorganised at times and like they haven't quite got to grips with a new way of playing with new personnel, they've picked up seven points from the past nine on offer.

They have far more talent in the squad than they did a few weeks ago and a plan to take forward.

They didn't play well at Cardiff but that points haul, the ability they're showing in attacking areas, the work rate and commitment they're putting into games and the scope for improvement that clearly exists are all major positives they'll take forward with them.

Image source, Shutterstock

Stoke City assistant manager James Rowberry has stepped down as Wales assistant coach to focus on his club role.

The 41-year-old has combined his national team duties alongside his position with the Potters since arriving in January 2025.

"It has been a great privilege to represent my country and something I will forever be proud to have had the opportunity to do," Rowberry explained.

"Given the huge honour it has been, this is not a decision I have taken lightly. However, it is a significant year-round commitment to balance both my Stoke City and Wales responsibilities.

"Alongside [sporting director] Jon [Walters], the gaffer, coaching staff and players, we are working tirelessly to bring success to Stoke City, and I firmly believe that, to be true to the commitment everyone is making here, I need to dedicate my full focus to the club."

The latest episode of BBC Radio Stoke's A Cold Wet Tuesday Night podcast is out now.

Join Lucas Yeomans and Matt Sandoz as they discuss Stoke City's 4-0 win over Charlton Athletic.

Listen above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.