Mark Robins, the manager of Stoke City, is preparing for a crucial league match against Leicester City at home on Saturday. As he looks to strategize for the game, he emphasized that success goes beyond mere formations, focusing instead on how players can effectively position themselves and enhance productivity on the pitch.
Last weekend, Robins experimented with a switch to a wing-back system during the FA Cup tie against Fulham, which yielded some positive insights. However, as he gears up for the league fixture, he reiterated the importance of getting the right personnel into favorable positions to maximize their potential. He stated the necessity for players to continue improving gradually, especially considering that they are still adjusting to new faces in the squad.
“It’s a big week again, three games, and we always call that a moving week,” Robins mentioned, expressing optimism that his team can deliver strong performances and secure points during this busy stretch.
Meanwhile, Leicester City has recently appointed Gary Rowett as their manager, marking his first game in charge after taking on the challenge of lifting the team out of the relegation zone. Rowett faces a tough task, as the team has struggled, losing six of their last seven matches and facing a six-point deduction from the EFL for financial breaches—an appeal against which they claim is overly punitive.
Robins acknowledged Rowett’s extensive experience and suggested that despite Leicester’s current predicament, they boast a talented squad that may be the best Rowett has managed outside of his tenure at Stoke. He noted the historical strength of Leicester, highlighting their past Premier League title win and FA Cup success, which adds to the competitive nature of the upcoming match.
As Stoke looks to assert themselves in the clash, Robins advised his players to concentrate on their performance while being mindful of Leicester’s quality, setting the stage for an intriguing battle on the pitch this weekend.