Stoke City

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Stoke City defender Ki-Jana Hoever has scored in both of the club's last two Championship games against Hull City and Huddersfield Town.

The Dutchman has revealed that he'd like to get forward more, despite that not being his natural role:

"I'm pretty composed around the box. I haven't done it enough this season. Obviously I'm a right-back, so it depends. Not every game I can be in those positions, but now, as a team, we are doing well.

"I feel free to go everywhere on the pitch, so I put myself in positions where I'm able to score. I think I proved that last season, now again, so I'm happy about it."

Addressing the praise he's been receiving from Steven Schumacher, the 22-year-old said: "I try to learn every day from the guys around me, from the coach as well. Once I'm free in my head, I'll be able to play my best football.

"Of course, I need to do my job first and that's defending. Once I do that, I could be an extra attacker in a lot of situations."

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Stoke City earned a 1-1 draw against Huddersfield Town on Easter Monday, and that was the first time this season that the team have come from behind to gain a point from a losing position at home.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke's Sohail Sahi, Potters head coach Steven Schumacher admitted that he was pleased to have finally broken that record.

"That's massive and it shouldn't have taken this long for that to happen. You try and explain to the lads all the time that setbacks do occur in football, it's part and parcel of the game that you don't get it all your own way.

"It's important that you stay positive and keep believing in what we are asking them to do and if you do that then you'll have a chance."

When asked what impact the result could have on the confidence of the players, he added: "It should give them belief. If you concede a goal, the crowd get really frustrated.

"I'm walking off at half-time and getting screamed at from fans. It's not easy for me and it's not easy for the players, so to respond the way we did positively in the second half was good.

"If they've done it once then they can do it again. I'm sure there will be more setbacks in the remaining games, so if we have that type of reaction again, we'll be happy."

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Former Stoke City midfielder Glenn Whelan has finally revealed what happened between him and team-mate Abdoulaye Faye at Chelsea in 2010.

The incident at Stamford Bridge was sparked by Faye warming-up in flip flops.

Whelan told BBC Radio Stoke: "We had a bit of a ding-dong, but it was only for the better for the team I thought. It was a little bit of fisticuffs, but we got on great and played with each other after that."

He continued: "The red mist came along before the game and I wasn't too happy with it. I could have picked on smaller people to have a go at than big Abdoulaye.

"He [Abdoulaye] was doing the warm-up in his flip flops, listen that was ok, but Abdoulaye then went out and played and had to come off after five to ten minutes picking up a muscle injury. That's what I got upset about because did he do his warm-up right?"

Whelan explained how the confrontation came about:

"On the way in to Stamford Bridge you go down the steps and then back up, as he's going down the steps he's having a bit of a dance and a sing-song with all the African players that he gets on with and I saw that as a bit of a dig at us, because he's got injured after five minutes not doing his warm-up properly and now he's having a party with a few of his mates on the Chelsea team. Afterwards there was fisticuffs but we were pals then after.

"Abdoulaye tried to throw a slap at me and then big Salif Diao got in the middle of it," added Whelan, 40.

"Listen this isn't the first time things like this happen. I won't be the first ex-player to tell you what goes on. These things happen all the time. Like I said I was doing it for the good of the team and I just felt it was a bit disrespectful from Abdoulaye to be laughing and joking with the Chelsea players that he got on with when he came off injured."

"I could have picked on smaller players but the red mist had gone on my part. It wasn't a case of how big he was I felt it just needed to be said and at the time it didn't matter who it was there were standards that needed to be kept and met and on the day I felt Abdoulaye didn't."

It was a day to forget for Stoke City, who went on to lose the game 7-0. Whelan says he and Faye got on fine afterwards and no grudges were held, however he admitted neither player apologised:

"I didn't say sorry for it and I don't think he said sorry to me either. It wasn't a case of being sorry it was just how I felt and we got on with things afterwards and no, it's football."

Listen to Whelan tell the story here.

'Ultimately he will come good'.

Stoke City fans have been reacting to the team's results over Easter and the progress of the team under head coach Steven Schumacher.

This is what supporters said on BBC Radio Stoke's Praise and Grumble show:

David - The first 15 minutes was total domination. As soon as we concede, I don't know if it's a phobia, there's something that rips the crowd that you don't see at away games.

Brendan - It just seemed to me that as soon as they scored a disallowed goal their heads seemed to drop. I don't know what's going on. I thought Manhoef was absolutely outstanding.

Bill - I like him (Schumacher), ultimately he will come good and patience is required, we can't be having this constant change of management, we have to allow managers to bed in. It's four points over Easter which can't be sniffed at given the situation that Stoke are in.

What do you think of Stoke City's survival chances after the Easter weekend? Tell us here.

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Stoke City's Lynden Gooch and Ben Pearson are expected to be out of action for at least four weeks .

Head coach Steven Schumacher confirmed today that both players have suffered hamstring injuries and won't be available for potentially the rest of the season.

Gooch and Pearson limped off during the 3-0 defeat at home to Norwich, the game before the international break.

Schumacher said: "The diagnosis for the type of strain they have is four to six weeks, so you never know what side of that you're going to be on. Either way, that diagnosis kind of takes you to the last week of the season, so we'll just see how they recover."

How big a miss is this? Let us know your thoughts here.

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Stoke City have recently made some new backroom changes, with Alex Morris stepping up to become a first team coach.

Therefore, Ryan Shawcross is now going to lead the U21s supported by Liam Lawrence, while Dave Hibbert remains in charge of the U18s alongside Darren Potter.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke's Matt Sandoz, interim technical director Jonathan Walters admitted that he couldn't be happier to have Morris with the senior squad.

"Alex is a top quality coach and a lot of people speak very highly of him outside of Stoke City, some top international managers. I know what qualities he can bring.

"Alex is Stoke through and through as well. He lives and breathes this football club, so he's a great asset to have in that first team dressing room.

"The manager is in complete agreement with it that he's a very experienced coach. He's up on the gantry on a matchday anyway, but to be on the training pitch and have more eyes, he's a very well thought of coach to have that. We need to utilise him more so it's all about the first team."

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Having established himself as a Stoke City favourite back in the day, Liam Lawrence is now working within the club's academy as a coach for the U21s alongside Ryan Shawcross.

Describing how it feels to have returned to his former home, the 42-year-old said:

"I love it. This club means everything to me. It was probably the most successful time in my playing career here. Getting the club out of the Championship into the Premier League and then keeping them there. I love being around the staff and bringing these players through.

"Helping them become some of the fantastic young players that we're now seeing and getting the opportunities to train with the first team on a regular basis. I'm proud of it. I love this football club and want it to do well."

You can listen to the full interview on BBC Radio Stoke's Sport at Six: Academy Special here.

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Former Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross returned to the club as an U18s Academy Coach last year, but he's since progressed to U21s Assistant Manager, working alongside Alex Morris.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke's Lucas Yeomans, the 36-year-old has opened up on his coaching career from his first role at Inter Miami to developing his skill set at Clayton Wood:

"My first taste in Miami of coaching, we loved it out there. When I came back, I wanted a bit of time off, but then the opportunity came up and I jumped at it. It's a club I know and I knew it was a good place to learn.

"I get on really well with Gareth Owen. He's a bit of a mentor along with Alex because of their experience in the game and what they've done. I found it a really good platform to get better and I feel like I've improved massively."

After taking full charge of the recent Staffordshire Senior Cup semi-final, Shawcross added:

"That's where I want to go. That opportunity to lead the group, it's something that I really enjoy and we've had a few victories although we haven't played particularly well. It's something that hopefully in the long run, I can do full-time."

The Potters are set for a nervous end to the season with the club sitting just two points above the relegation zone.

Supporters will no doubt have a close eye on the games against Huddersfield Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth Argyle who are also hoping to beat the drop.

How many points do you think Steven Schumacher's side will be able to pick up from their final eight matches? More importantly, do you think they'll survive relegation?

Send us your predictions here.

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Stoke City midfielder Bae Junho has returned to the club early from international duty.

The Potters star had been called up to represent South Korea's U23's in the West Asian Football Federation Championship.

Despite not featuring in their opening game against Thailand, the 20-year-old provided the assist for the winning goal in their semi-final vs Saudi Arabia.

However, Steven Schumacher has decided to bring the playmaker back meaning that he will not participate in the final, but instead be ready for Good Friday's trip to Hull City.

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Speaking to Rob Adcock on the Stoke City: 8 Games To Go Podcast, BBC Radio Stoke summariser Angela Smith has addressed the club's current problems off the field.

She believes chairman John Coates will have to make more significant changes over the summer, both with regards to signing new players and the people who are recruiting them:

"The recruitment has been a mess, the appointments of certain staff have been a mess and Stoke have got to change everything in the backroom in terms of getting the right people to advise the owners.

"We've got good owners, but they've been misguided in who they've appointed to run the club for them and maybe John would be better advised to recruit for a person who can help recruit the players. I reckon we've got to bring in 11 new players to even have a chance if we survive this season to not be in the same boat next season.

"Everybody's fed up, but the club have it in their own hands to change. You look at Ipswich. Ipswich have made monumental strides. Got promoted and are carrying on and that's what Stoke have to learn from situations like that. They've made mistakes, now learn from them and be more positive."

You can listen to the full episode here.

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Stoke City beat Sunderland AFC 4-2 in the Premier League U18's at the Academy of Light on Saturday.

Elliot Fearn put the Potters ahead after two minutes, before the hosts found a quick response and equalised through Aaron Chung.

Dave Hibbert's side were 3-1 up at the break after Jayden Ogbebor scored twice, while Joe Neild pulled one back for the hosts. Luke Enright then got a fourth to secure all three points in the North East.

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On 24 March 2012, Stoke City earned a 1-1 draw against Manchester City at the Britannia Stadium thanks to a spectacular 25-yard volley from Peter Crouch.

With the anniversary of that goal having just passed, the former striker has been speaking to BBC Radio Stoke's Rob Adcock about whether that is the best finish he's ever created.

"There are other goals that I think about as well, but that's certainly right up there. I think it's the best goal I've scored in the Premier League, 100%.

"I got a scissor kick in the Champions League against Galatasaray which I love. There was one I scored for Tottenham in the Champions League, World Cup goals, like there's certain goals, but as a technical goal, it's probably my best.

"It comes up every now and then. Every month, there's always someone that puts it out there and I look at it on social media.

"When you look at the whole stadium's reaction, the manager's reaction, the bench's reaction, my reaction, it's one of those moments where I'm so glad that it happened because it made so many people so happy."

You can listen to the full interview here.

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Speaking to Stoke City's official website during EFL Youth Development Week, Sol Sidibe lifted the lid on his journey with the club so far after making his senior debut on the opening day of the campaign against Rotherham United.

“It is only the start, hopefully there will be many more opportunities to come. From joining as an under-eight, I feel like I have always been on an upwards trajectory.

“The first team experience at the start of the season was great. I had an opportunity to impress, that was all I wanted, and hopefully there will be more to come.

“Between now and the end of the season, my goal is to get in and around the first team again and to extend the season with the U21s by qualifying for the PL2 Play-Offs.”

Talking about the backing he's received, the midfielder added: “The support on and off the pitch has been huge. The staff have shown that they believe in me and given me the opportunities to progress and become a better footballer.

“It is important that I have a good support network around me and I know I can rely on a lot of people at the club, which is massive for me.”

We recently asked you to get in touch and tell us your favourite big Stoke City victory from throughout the club's history.

Here are some of the responses that we received:

Paul: Never forget the penalty save from Gordon Banks against West Ham at Upton Park in 1972 from Geoff Hurst after losing the home leg 2-1. The save helped us to a 1-0 win away and we won the replay to help us to Wembley. Most Stokies will tell you that penalty save was better than the Pele one in 1970.

Neil: Favourite big Stoke win has to be the 6-1 mauling of Liverpool or the 5-0 beating of Bolton in the FA Cup semi-final.

Cath: A cold Wednesday evening on 28th January 1987. FA Cup. Stoke City 6 - 0 Grimsby Town. My 29th birthday.

Jeff: The 3-2 victory over Leeds back in the early 1970's, when we came back from 0-2... magical!

Ian: The best match was the League Cup Final 1972 and we beat Chelsea.

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Stoke City defender Jaden Dixon recently made his debut for England U17s against Northern Ireland, and the club's academy director, Gareth Owen, has been discussing the defender's first international performance for the Young Lions.

"You never quite know how he'll settle in that environment because it's completely new to him, but he took to it like a duck to water.

"Leading, organising, demanding things from others which is pleasing to see and that's due to him being around older players in the U21s here.

"I thought he was outstanding from minute one to minute ninety, and we look forward to him having a few more appearances in the future."

When asked how the 17-year-old has been progressing at Clayton Wood, Owen added: "Since he walked through the door, he's taken every challenge that we've set him and smashed through it. We've moved him up age groups, we've dipped him in other positions, he's been around the first team as well in such a short space of time.

"He wants to be better and he's asking Ryan Shawcross for clips which just shows what a great learner he is, but he also knows his feet are firmly on the floor and he's not the finished article.

"He's got that desire and a hunger to learn, and when you are coachable and you have those attributes, it makes our job a hundred times easier."

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We recently asked you whether you could name the top five players who have made the most appearances for Stoke City in the Premier League.

Here are the answers:

1. Ryan Shawcross - 316

2. Glenn Whelan - 276

3. Jonathan Walters - 226

4. Peter Crouch - 202

5. Erik Pieters - 169

Well done if you got it right! Data has been provided by the top-flight's official website, external.