Stoke & Staffordshire

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  1. Graham and Stoke pass more tests with win at Derbypublished at 09:02 BST

    View from the pressbox - Mark Elliott
    Stoke's Luke Graham celebrates his side's win at DerbyImage source, Shutterstock

    Luke Graham has done nothing but improve since joining Stoke from Dundee in the summer.

    His goal at Derby was his first for the club and a brilliant moment - but his work in his own box against a hugely physical Rams side was also incredibly impressive.

    Graham wins a huge amount in the air and put in some really good blocks from the left side of the back three.

    Over the past few months he has made the move to Stoke, become a regular in the side, picked up his first cap for Scotland, put on some size and looked more and more at home in a league that provides a significant step up from the Scottish top flight.

    Graham is 22, left footed, 6ft 4ins (193cm tall) and showing immense potential as part of a collective that's growing together.

    At Derby, they passed another couple of tests as a side looking to prove they belong in the play-off conversation.

    Derby are a massive, direct, uncompromising team but they are struggling and Stoke went to the East Midlands with a small burden of expectation.

    They were also looking to respond to a first defeat in some time with a win they will hope will begin another positive run of results.

    They coped with all of the above, learned a few lessons and came away with the points which gives them 19 from their past eight games.

    That's a phenomenal return from Graham and co, particularly given they are a team that is still developing.

    After the events of last season, no Stoke fan will want to get too carried away but there is a huge amount to be optimistic about.

  2. Stoke building an improved culture - Robinspublished at 16:20 BST 16 October

    Media caption,

    Robins: 'There's so many good signs'

    Stoke City boss Mark Robins believes supporters are seeing positive signs from his team, built on an improved culture at the club.

    The Potters are eighth in the Championship table with Tuesday's 3-2 defeat by Middlesbrough ending a six-game unbeaten run.

    "There is so much to like and so much to be excited about. It's not just me saying that, you see that and the supporters are reflecting that and that's a real positive." Robins told BBC Radio Stoke.

    "Even in the defeat, I thought we got stronger in it and it's about belief and having that understanding we're going to be good. We're good now but we're going to be good."

    Stoke lost their opening three games of the season, having been beaten in five of their final six matches last season but Robins thinks a summer of recruitment and hard work behind the scenes is paying off.

    "There are things the players understand have got to be habits and that's what the supporters are seeing which bodes well," he said.

    "There are so many good signs, positive signs and we've got to keep building on that.

    "The culture around the place has improved. We've got a way of doing things that is acceptable, that we want to see on a daily basis and that reflects in what we do every day and you can then do that on the football pitch."

    The Potters visit struggling Derby County on Saturday (15:00 BST).

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