With only five Championship matches remaining in their season, Stoke City’s away match at Cardiff City has the potential to be season defining for both teams.
This game is a much cliched six-pointer. Cardiff enter the match week in 22nd place, only in the relegation zone on goal difference. Meanwhile, Stoke are only two points above them in 20th, meaning defeat for either side will leave them staring into the abyss on the verge of relegation.
Despite conceding an injury time equaliser to relegation rivals Luton Town in midweek, Robins spoke optimistically to the media ahead of that crucial match.
Focus is on the positives
Stoke are unbeaten since the Championship returned after the international break, as they earned a win over QPR and draws against Preston North End and Luton.
Robins was quick to be optimistic about the performances in those games, he said:
“Those performances are the things that start to pick up points and we’ve done that, we’re three unbeaten now and there’s a positive there.”
It is vital for Stoke’s survival chances that Robins and the rest of his squad genuinely feel positive heading into these final fixtures. A late goal like the one conceded to Luton can damage team morale and Stoke have to remain upbeat to enable them to pick up enough points to survive.
Robins did not feel that the goal was disastrous for his side, instead he was upbeat about upcoming games.
”For us it’s all to play for,” he said.
”Football keeps giving you opportunities until the games run out. We’ve got a lot to play for and it makes you feel alive. We’ve got all these things going on and it’s where we find ourselves. We’ve got to deal with the situation as best we can.”
With Stoke in the thick of the relegation battle, The Potters are in desperate need of results if they are to retain their Championship status, and they will be hoping that the message from Robins transfers to the players and they earn the points that they need.
Players are fit and focused
Robins was very keen to speak positively about his players ahead of the crucial run-in. He said:
”I thought that we have competed well, performance levels have been pretty good.
“I don’t see why it would be any different over the next five games.”
Stoke have also had a poor injury record over the course of the season, with key players such as Sam Gallagher and Ben Pearson having suffered long absences.
However, they don’t have many concerns ahead of the run-in, which may be crucial to their survival chances.
Robins revealed that Josh Wilson-Esbrand is not far away from being available for selection, whilst Enda Stevens may be set for return before the end of the season.
“The fact we’ve got players available and fit is a must, really, in this period,” said Robins.
Sensational support
Over 1600 Stoke fans will make the 300-mile round trip down to Cardiff, and Robins was quick to praise the supporters and their impact.
“They’ve been vocal in a really positive way,” he said.
“That makes a huge difference.”
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