Preview | Stoke City (A)
The Game
Stoke City v Argyle. bet365 Stadium. Saturday, 4 January. 12.30pm. Sky Bet Championship.
The Opposition
Stoke began the season with Steven Schumacher in charge, having stayed up following a revival towards the end of the 2023/24 season. Schumacher was dismissed in September, and replaced by Narcis Pelach, but the latter won just three games of his 19 in charge and was also sacked.
Stoke come into this weekend in 19th place in the division, with 26 points from 25 games. They have six wins, eight draws and 11 defeats. Five of those wins came in the Potters’ first 14 games, but things have been more difficult of late.
That said, after a run of nine games in which they only attained four points, their last two encounters have yielded two clean sheets, a home win against Sunderland, and an away draw with Burnley.
The Gaffer
The game will be the first in charge for Mark Robins, who took the job at the bet365 Stadium this week.
Robins spent nearly eight years in charge at Coventry City, taking them to two promotions, from Sky Bet League Two to the Championship, and to a play-off final against Luton Town in 2022/23, which the Sky Blues lost on penalties. He was sacked at Coventry, to the surprise of many, in November.
Robins came through the ranks at Manchester United, and was part of the squad that won the 1990 FA Cup and the 1991 European Cup-Winners Cup. In a career that also took in spells in Denmark, Spain and Greece, Robins represented Leicester City, Norwich City, Walsall and Rotherham United, among others.
His first managerial job was at Rotherham, having previously been the assistant manager. This led to a move to Barnsley, followed by a first stint at Coventry, beginning in September 2012. After five relatively successful months, he took a job with Huddersfield Town, where he remained for 18 months. After a similar amount of time with Scunthorpe United, Robins was re-appointed as Coventry boss in March 2017.
The Squad
Tom Cannon is Stoke’s leading goalscorer this season, with ten goals. Four of those came against Portsmouth in a 6-1 victory in October. The 22-year-old forward striker is on loan from Leicester City, having previously been an Everton player. He has previously spent time on loan to Preston North End.
Wouter Burger (below) is likely to play at the heart of Stoke’s midfield. The 23-year-old Dutchman is yet to score this season, but he notched when the Potters played Argyle last season. Burger began his career with Feyenoord, had loans with Excelsior and Sparta Rotterdam, before moving to Basel. He then joined Stoke in the summer of 2023. He is a Netherlands Under-21 international.
South Korean international Bae Jun-Ho was named 2023/24 Player of the Year for Stoke in his first season at the club. The attacking midfielder, who typically plays centrally or from the left, is only 21, but has impressed with his performances since arriving. He is yet to score this season, but has provided five assists.
Recent Meetings
Earlier this season, Stoke won 1-0 at Home Park, with a goal from Million Manhoef in the 83rd minute. Last season, Argyle won the home fixture 2-1, with Stoke winning 3-0 late on the campaign.
Tickets
Tickets for the trip are now off sale. There are no sales on the day.
Collections are available from the bet365 Stadium on Saturday.
A Strip for the Trip
Argyle will wear their green home kit for this game.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin at midday, with Charlie Price and Katie Middleton bringing you build-up to the game, before handing over to the ground for commentary provided by Nathan Albon and Joel Grant.
Click here for more information on how to buy match passes to watch the game live.
