Stoke City

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Here are the Opta stats ahead of tonight's Championship match between Swansea City and Stoke City.

• None of the last nine league meetings between Swansea City and Stoke City at the Swansea.com Stadium have ended level, since a 3-3 draw in 2013 (4 Swansea wins, 5 Stoke wins).

• Stoke City are unbeaten in their last five league games against Swansea City, with their three wins in that time all seeing them score exactly three times (D2).

• Since Luke Williams’ first home league game in charge of Swansea in January, no Championship side has lost more games on home soil in the competition than the Swans (P7 W2 L5).

• After winning just two of their first seven away league games under Steven Schumacher (D1 L4), Stoke have won each of their last two such games, and could win three in a row for the first time since December 2005 (run of four).

• Four of Stoke’s last eight goals away from home in the league have been from set pieces (2x free kick, 1x direct free kick, 1x corner), one more than their first 15 such goals of the Championship season (3x corner).

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Stoke City forward Million Manhoef scored his first goal for the club last weekend in the 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke ahead of Wednesday's trip to Swansea City, Steven Schumacher was full of praise for the 22-year-old:

"We expected him to take time to settle in, but since he's got here, he's been really positive. He's shown what he can do, his ability that he's got, and getting a goal like he got on Saturday will only do his confidence the world of good.

"We needed that type of player who can run towards the goal, take people on, get shots away and create for the team, so I'm not overly surprised that he's starting to do that now.

"Like all players though, he'll thrive off confidence. He thrives off belief and a run of games. Getting up to the speed and the intensity of the Championship is going to be key for him.

"Next season, I think we'll see an even better Million because he'll have had a whole pre-season with us. He'll be a bit more settled and he'll know what the Championship looks like."

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The Potters recently named Jonathan Walters as their new permanent Sporting Director after impressing in his role as Interim Technical Director.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, David Cowlishaw from 'The Wizards Of Drivel' podcast shared his thoughts on the appointment made by the Coates family:

"I'm all for it. It's just what the club needs in terms of bringing that good vibe and continuing the good vibe of the last three or four weeks through until the end of the season.

"I'm very interested that there's a slight change in title from ‘technical’ to ‘sporting’ director.

"It's going to be interesting to see what happens this summer in terms of how much he's involved in transfers or what his specific scope is, but he's a club legend for a reason. I'm fully behind him."

You can find out more about the podcast here, external.

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Stoke City forward Ryan Mmaee has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Head coach Steven Schumacher told BBC Radio Stoke that the 26-year-old has suffered a hamstring injury:

"It's a disappointment because I was pleased for Ryan, obviously it hasn't been easy for either of us or for him since we came in in December."

Mmaee was banished to train on his own after a falling out with the Stoke boss in February, however Schumacher says the striker has worked hard to put things right:

"He got himself back involved in the squad and back in the team and looked sharp and unfortunately he's picked up a niggle and it's going to rule him out. So that's a bit of a blow."

Mmaee joined Stoke in the summer of 2023 and has scored 4 goals in 27 appearances.

How much of a miss will Ryan Mmaee be? Let us know your thoughts here.

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Stoke City's on loan goalkeeper Daniel Iversen says he doesn't know where his future lies beyond this season.

The Danish stopper, who moved across from Leicester City in January, has made 14 appearances for Steven Schumacher's side.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, Iversen said he'd asked Leicester if he could leave the club last summer:

"I thought I should go [in the summer] and that's not happened from the Leicester side, I don't know why, I was disappointed.

"I tried to get a loan and I got a no, tried to get sold and got a no, so it was a bit frustrating from my side."

Although his future is unknown, the 26-year-old who has started the last eight games for Stoke says his priority is keeping the club in the Championship:

"In the summer I will try to leave again and see if something happens, but I don't know where it's going to be. My focus is just to play here and help the team survive"

Would you like to keep Daniel Iversen next season? Let us know your thoughts here.

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Following Stoke City's 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion, Steven Schumacher's side next return to action with a trip to Swansea City on Wednesday.

Lucas Yeomans is back with Praise and Grumble tonight on BBC Radio Stoke at 18:00 GMT, where you can have your say on the relegation battle and the appointment of Jonathan Walters as the club's permanent Sporting Director.

Call the show to give your thoughts on 0800 121 8080 or listen to it online shortly after broadcast here.

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Stoke City's U21s are back in action on Monday as they host Arsenal in the Premier League 2, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT at the Bet365 Stadium.

The Potters beat Derby County 2-1 in their last game and will now be looking to secure another three points against the Gunners.

Ryan Shawcross' side are 17th in the table while their opponents are fourth, though a win this evening could lift them six places higher.

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Stoke City forward Million Manhoef scored his first goal for the club over the weekend in the 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion.

Talking about how happy he was to hit the back of the net, the 22-year-old said: "Very. I think it was overdue, especially when I missed a big chance (in the first half).

"I can be an important player with goals and assists. When you don't score in the first six, seven games, it gets a bit in your head, but hopefully, it will get better from here."

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Stoke City earned a 2-2 draw against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, coming back from two goals down to gain a point at the Bet365 Stadium.

Speaking to the club's official website during his post-match interview, head coach Steven Schumacher was full of praise for his players:

"We definitely deserved something from the game. I felt we were the better team. We started the game really well. We had our press right, the plan was really good and we caused West Brom problems when we had the ball.

"The only negative is that we didn't take the lead when we had those two or three big chances, so that was a blow to go behind, but once again, we've shown character to come back into the game, especially after they got the second goal which was against the run of play.

"Once we got ourselves back into the game, the atmosphere was all with us, the momentum was with us and if anyone looked like they were going to win it, it would have been us.

"In injury time, the game went scrappy and we didn't manage to carve out another chance, but overall, we've got to be pleased with that type of point against a team who are in the top six."

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Stoke City have moved the statue of John Ritchie from behind the Boothen End to the Franklyn Stand, adjacent to the club store.

The Potters are holding a ceremony at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday, 6 April at 1pm to acknowledge the relocation, ahead of their clash with West Brom.

Many of the all-time leading goalscorer's former teammates, including Terry Conroy and Jimmy Greenhoff, will be attending the unveiling which is being hosted by Nigel Johnson.

Chief Operating Officer, Simon King, said: “Supporters and members of John’s family have voiced their desire to see the tribute relocated to a more prominent location and that’s exactly what we’ve now been able to do.

“The move will lead to the tribute being observed by more people, something that will see John’s story and achievements shared with future generations for years to come."

With Stoke City preparing to face West Brom on Saturday, we asked you to send in your score predictions and thoughts as to how you think the game could pan out.

Here are some of the responses that we received:

Andrew: Stoke will go into West Brom on a high. Win the game two or three nil. Get the goal difference up, play an attacking side, show no mercy. We need the points and clean sheet. Keep 11 men on the pitch and attack every chance we get. We're the 12th man in the crowd. Make us proud and sink the Baggies.

Steve: We have turned a corner, more competition for places and a fit left-back. Iversen in goal seems to be proving his worth... however our home form still isn't convincing despite better results. 2-0 win for the Baggies for me.

Rich: Frustrating as it is, in typical Stoke fashion - we always do quite well against teams further up the table. A derby too. The crowd will be up for it. No doubt the Albion will have a few up the M6 as well. Stoke 2-0 WBA. Burger and McNally.

Adrian: It's got 1-1 written all over it! Stoke struggle at home and the Baggies struggle away. Reverse fixture was 1-1 and this will be the same. But if someone said have the point now - I would.

Lev: Good manager, good players - beginning to understand how to play together. WBA are becoming desperate for wins, not draws. If Stoke win, they are safe. My verdict, draw!

David: WBA are a different class to the last two teams we have played... will be another loss for Stoke I'm afraid.

• Stoke City are winless in their last three Championship games against West Brom (D1 L2), drawing 1-1 earlier this season.

• The Baggies have won three of their previous four away league visits to the Bet365 Stadium (L1), winning 2-1 last term.

• Only Leeds (41), Ipswich (33) and Norwich (30) have more second tier points in 2024 than Carlos Corberan's side (26), who are unbeaten in eight games (W4 D4).

• The Potters secured a 2-1 victory in the last meeting between these two sides at home in the EFL Cup first round back in August.

• Only Watford (17), Sunderland (13) and Plymouth (12) have scored more goals from outside the penalty area this season than West Brom (11).

Stoke City's interim technical director Jonathan Walters reportedly has a strong chance of landing the role on a permanent basis.

The Coates family have been impressed with the former striker since he's been back in the building, earning credit for the work he's doing behind the scenes.

Norwich City's previous sporting director Stuart Webber was believed to have held talks with the club, but it's now claimed that no discussions have taken place. (The Telegraph, external)

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Ahead of Stoke City's upcoming home game vs West Brom, Steven Schumacher has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference to discuss this weekend's opponents, the backing of supporters and the return of Mehdi Leris.

The Baggies: "They are a really strong team all over the pitch and so consistent. They've only lost one game in 12 so we understand it's going to be a tough game, but like every week, anyone can beat anyone in the Championship. If you get your mentality right, get your game plan right and you give it 100% effort, you've got a chance."

Potters fans: "The support has been outstanding. They've been a lot more vocal of late. We've heard the fans and that's what we are going to need because we want it to be an intimidating place for teams to come, but we have to start that. It has to come from us."

Mehdi Leris: "Mehdi has been frustrated. What he hasn't done is let his head drop, he's never not trained properly, he's always shown a good attitude and that gets noticed. Eventually, you come to a point where you think you can't ignore him any longer. He was given his opportunity at Hull and was brilliant. He's going to play a big part for us in the run-in."

Stoke City are set to welcome West Brom to the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday as they look to go three games unbeaten in the Championship.

The Potters secured a 2-0 victory at Hull City before earning a 1-1 draw vs Huddersfield Town over Easter, but can they gain another positive result against Carlos Corberan's side?

Get involved by sending us your score predictions and thoughts ahead of the match using the online form below.

Have your say here!

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Stoke City striker Nathan Lowe has been nominated for the Championship Apprentice of the Season accolade in the 2024 EFL Awards.

The Potters forward has made 11 senior league appearances this campaign, scoring the late winner in that memorable 3-2 away victory against Bristol City.

Leeds United's Archie Gray and Plymouth Argyle's Freddie Issaka are the other two players to have also made the shortlist, with the winner set to be announced on 14 April.

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Ahead of Saturday's game vs West Brom, BBC Radio Stoke's Lucas Yeomans has been speaking to Baggies fan Pete from Albion Analytics, external to discuss what strengths and weaknesses his side could show at the Bet365 Stadium.

"We sometimes struggle breaking down teams that sit deep in a low block and just want to defend. We use the wide areas to attack and move the ball up the pitch and never look comfortable having a number ten in front of the penalty area.

"We put in a lot of crosses, but it's all reliant upon the cross being good rather than having a target man in there to head it home. Saying that, the crossing has also been our strength.

"Tom Fellows, usually on the right wing, he's been excellent. He always steps over the ball, takes it on the outside and puts in a great cross. Every full-back knows exactly what he's going to do but nobody can seem to stop him.

"On the other wing, Mikey Johnston. We brought (him) in on loan from Celtic in January and he's been absolutely brilliant. He's got his own trick where he wants to cut inside and get a little space near the edge of the area and curl it into the far corner."

When asked for his score prediction, he added: "It's away from home so that makes it more difficult for Albion because we've struggled a bit on the road. I'd go for 1-1."

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Back in January, Stoke City signed Leicester City goalkeeper Daniel Iversen on loan for the rest of the season.

The Dane's contract at the King Power Stadium is set to expire next summer, so he could be available on a permanent transfer during the upcoming window.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke's Lucas Yeomans, Ben Rowley, external from 'The YYY-Files' discussed the possibility of buying the 26-year-old for good:

"In the last few games, he's come on leaps and bounds and has saved us points. Really crucial points in not a bad month in March.

"Whoever we sign as a goalkeeper, the manager has got to trust them 100% because we've had too many goalkeepers over the years, chopping and changing.

"Jack Bonham who's been here for so long is constantly being dropped out of the team, whether he's deserving of that or not. We need someone who is going to play 46 games next season.

"You look at Rotherham. If they go down, (Viktor) Johansson might be a great pick-up. We've had (Mark) Travers in the conversation. Iversen could be a good pick-up as well.

"We need consistency in that position because that will help the team, help the defence. If we spend a bit of money, it might be a good investment."

With Stoke City sitting five points clear of the relegation zone, we asked you to send us your thoughts on whether the club will be able to survive the drop at the end of the season.

Here are some of the responses that we received:

Andrew: Stoke will survive. We have the squad, the mentality and the purpose to do it. A win vs Huddersfield would have nearly done it. Stoke will stay in the Championship and build on this season to continue a push for promotion next season. We're the team in red and white, everything will be alright. Up the Mighty Potters.

Al: At last, Steven Schumacher is getting his ideas over to the squad. The experience of his time here will be a great asset to him and the club in the future. I believe he will be a top Premier League manager in the future, either with us or some other club. Well done Schuey.

Adrian: Stoke are going to be in the Championship next season. No doubts! It's next season that will define the future. We need to get consistency and finish in the top 6 - we have to back Steven - he is a good long-term prospect.

Steve: Stay calm but play every game as if we need all three points and we’ll probably end up with another five or six (points) which will see us through. I’m confident.