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Championship Terrace Talk
Stoke City kicked off their Championship campaign with a convincing win over Derby County that has ignited fresh optimism around the Bet365 Stadium. The electric atmosphere during Saturday's match harkened back to the club's glory days, with fans finding their voice again after years of disappointment.
Mark Robbins appears to be making his mark on this Stoke side. What distinguishes this victory from previous false dawns was the team's resilience after conceding – instead of crumbling as they might have done last season, they responded quickly and confidently to secure all three points. This mental fortitude represents a significant shift in the team's character and has fans daring to believe again.
The arrival of World Cup winner Steven N'Zonzi has further galvanized the fanbase. Though he comes to Stoke in the twilight of his career, his leadership qualities and experience make him an invaluable addition to a relatively young squad. Alongside other veterans like Cresswell, N'Zonzi gives Robbins a perfect blend of youth and experience to work with throughout the season.
Several talking points emerged from the Derby game, including Ben Wilmot's captaincy (which divided opinion), Manhoef's visible frustration at being substituted, and where this Stoke team might finish in the Championship table. Most fan predictions range from 9th to 12th – a significant improvement on recent seasons where they've failed to break into the top half since relegation from the Premier League.
The contrast between Stoke's stable ownership and the troubles facing their next opponents Sheffield Wednesday highlights how fortunate Potters fans are to have the Coates family at the helm. Despite occasional criticism of football decisions, their financial backing and commitment to affordable football deserves recognition in an era where responsible ownership cannot be taken for granted.
Subscribe to our podcast for weekly Stoke City discussion as we follow their journey through what promises to be an intriguing Championship season. Next week we'll analyze the Sheffield Wednesday match and review the divisive new away and third kits!
Championship Terrace Talk
From the publisher's feed
The EFL Championship is the best league in the world. Every week we talk to 24 fans of each club to preview this weekends games and talk all things Championship football.