Robins Demands "Brick Wall" Spirit for Promotion Push

Stoke City manager Mark Robins has articulated his vision for the upcoming season, emphasizing the need for a squad that displays exceptional determination and resilience. His goal is to cultivate a team capable of "running through brick walls" as they pursue the club owner's ambition for promotion.

The Potters have commenced their pre-season preparations in earnest, focusing on readiness for another attempt at returning to the Premier League. It has been eight years since their relegation from the top flight in 2018. In the seasons following their drop, Stoke's highest league finish in the Championship has been 14th place.

Last season concluded with Stoke in 17th position, a significant 18 points adrift of the play-off spots. This was despite a strong start in the first half of the campaign, where they occupied a place within the top six. To bolster the team, the club has been active in the transfer market, with sporting director Jonathan Walters overseeing multiple signings. Five new players have been acquired: Ethan Galbraith, Svante Ingelsson, Djibril Soumare, Luke Graham, and Josh Griffiths, alongside the permanent acquisition of Milan Smit.

Robins expressed satisfaction with the club's transfer business thus far. He acknowledged that it is still early in the process and there is a long road ahead. However, he is pleased with the quality of players now at the club and is focused on getting them back up to match fitness safely while instilling a strong work ethic.