Stoke City are preparing for their ninth successive Championship season, as they aim to finally sustain a promotion push across a full campaign.
The Potters were relegated from the Premier League in 2018, but have never made a serious attempt to return to the top-flight of English football in the eight years that have followed.
In fact, the Staffordshire outfit have finished in the bottom half for eight successive seasons, despite regularly being tipped as one of the pre-season favourites to challenge for promotion.
Former boss Tony Pulis, who twice managed the club earlier this century, gave his views on what the club should do going forward.
“The one thing that stayed really solid is the chairman and the owners,” said Pulis, speaking to Football Lowdown this week.
“The Coates family have backed every manager. They’ve given them a very competitive budget to be successful, and they just haven’t found the right formula yet. But if they’re sticking with Mark Robins, he has a great record of being successful over a period of time.
“I think the club have decided that he’s the one that will eventually it will take it forward. The season’s gone now, so I’m a great believer in looking forward and getting prepared for the next season. On Saturdays, I’m looking at about 12 results to see how my old clubs have done, and I want them all to do well.”
Giving strong support towards Robins in a time of such uncertainty is certainly a bold stance. In the past few days, the former Coventry City manager is rumoured to be facing the sack, while his comments at the end of the season left more questions than answers. However, there has been no movement as yet from the club’s hierarchy, so he remains in charge for the time being.
Stoke fans are yearning for a return to their former glories, and there’s no doubting their commitment. Likewise, the Potters are a rarity in modern football for their season ticket prices, which have been frozen at the same prices for 19 years in a row. It’s a reality check that is much-needed when fans are constantly treated to hikes in costs.
“We get absolutely smashed with Premier League football all the time,” Pulis added. “I went to watch Wimborne play the other week, and there were two and a half thousand people there. This is football, we’ve got the greatest leagues in the world, without a question.
“No other country organises and runs football in a way that we do. Whether it’s Sunday, kids’ football, academy or professional, we’re very fortunate. I think we’ve got to be a little bit careful that the next generation doesn’t just think it’s the Premier League or nothing. There is good football that is being played away from that league.”
Tony Pulis was speaking to Football Lowdown courtesy of BOYLE Sports.