3 Reasons Why Stoke City Will Survive The Relegation Battle
Stoke City find themselves in a rut despite having appointed a new manager in Paul Lambert. The club lie in the relegation zone, 19th in the table with Lambert tasked with a herculean job to save the Potters from the drop this season.
The Scotsman oversaw a fine start at Stoke, winning 2-0 at home against Huddersfield Town last month. But since that result, Stoke have drawn 0-0 with Watford and lost to Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Tough times for Lambert and co. but there is a sense of belief amongst the players and the fans that the club will find its way out of the gloom and survive the drop.
Here are three big reasons why Stoke will survive the relegation battle this season.
Style of play
Paul Lambert has instilled a fast-paced, high-intensity style of play since taking over the reins at Stoke. Mark Hughes’ brand of football was more inclined towards possession and the long ball but Lambert has changed it, asking the players to show urgency and agility in their game as they are fighting relegation.
The quick and dynamic football with the hunger to win back the ball swiftly could be one of the reasons why Lambert could avoid the Stoke ship from sinking.
Home support
Stoke’s overall performance has been dismal this season, including their home form. It used to take a massive effort to win games at the Britannia with the fans regularly acting as the team’s 12th member.
If the fans can put their grumblings and problems aside and stay optimistic by backing the team vociferously at home, I think there is every chance of the Potters avoiding relegation and staying in the top flight.
Paul Lambert
Last but not the least, Paul Lambert’s presence itself could be massive. He appears to be more involved than Hughes, seems to have instilled a dynamic brand of football and seems to have pumped in fresh belief inside the players.
And above all, he looks to be an upgrade to his predecessor Hughes. So I feel there is every chance for Stoke to avoid the drop this season with Lambert at the helm, and the fans will hope for the same too with a few games left this season.