With only four league victories in the last four months Mark Robins’ position as manager is certainly under threat
A triumphant opening third of the season saw Stoke City sit second in the championship, firmly within the automatic promotion places.
Eight wins, three draws and only three defeats in the opening 14 games saw Stoke have their best start to a season since being relegated from the Premier League in 2018.
In the last few years, the Bet365 stadium has been a half-full and hostile environment to play in for the players but a positive start to the season certainly turned this around.
Buoyant fans began to pack the stands week in, week out in ST4 and dreams of returning to the “big time” were appearing in the distance.
The banner reads “Vis Unita Fortior” an abbreviation for united strength is stronger.
A motto that the club was abiding by all season and one that Robins vocalised following many positive results.
However, in the true ‘Stokie’ way, these good times were short lived with the months that proceeded seeing them return back to the Stoke that the Championship has come a custom to seeing.
Numerous injuries to key players since the festive period, definitely halted the club’s progress with between 10-12 first team players being out every game during this time.
Despite this, five wins in 23 games is miles below the standard expected from the supporters, which has ultimately led to the peaking return of hostility at the Bet365 stadium.
Along with this, is increasing pressure on Robins, with murmurs of fans calling for his head over recent weeks.
Chairman of the Ston Stoke City Supporters Club Peter Hughes said: “His body language and demeanour is worrying, I believe we’re only a few poor results away from the whole fan base wanting him gone!
“It’s been eight years of dross and when it looked to be getting better it’s getting even worse than before.”
However, even with the negativity surrounding the club and the poor run they’ve endured a run to make the play offs isn’t out of the question.
The Potters currently sit nine points adrift of a place in the top six, it would be a huge mountain to climb with only nine games remaining but if they find the form they showed at the beginning of the season it definitely is insurmountable.
Robins will hope to see his side return to winning ways this Saturday as fellow play off chasing side Watford visit the Potteries.
