How Mark Robins success will be measured at Stoke City after unbelievable start to season

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Stoke City are flying high under Mark Robins right now, so EFL Analysis takes a look behind the scenes to gauge what is expected of the Potters boss this season.

Less than a year ago, Mark Robins had lost his job at Coventry City in something of a shock decision. Since then, he’s taken over at Stoke City and kept them in the Championship, and has now got them off to an incredible start to the new season.

With four wins out of five, Stoke are proving everyone wrong and are starting to look like dark horses for a promotion push.

Robins has established himself as the best Stoke City manager in the Championship era, but can he keep this up? And do the board expect promotion now after this electric start?

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Stoke City chiefs are delighted with Mark Robins

Our Chief Football Correspondent Graeme Bailey exclusively told EFL Analysis about the situation at Stoke City and what the feelings behind the scenes at the club are.

Bailey said: “I don’t think they necessarily want more now or that expectations have been raised per se. They knew what a great manager they were getting in Mark Robins and it was always going to be a bit of a patient job with him.

“Selling Wouter Burger didn’t go down well, but the pick-up of Sorba Thomas has been huge for them; he’s been particularly impressive. On form, probably the best player in the Championship right now – he’s been absolutely spectacular.

“They’re not really thinking about promotion just yet. They just think they’ve got the major appointment right and it’s going to be a project there. Next season is when they will really aim for promotion.”

Bailey went on to cite what Robins did at Coventry City, insisting we shouldn’t be surprised at all that he’s achieving great things at Stoke now.

He added: “They’re very happy with the appointment and where he’ll get them. We’re going to see what Mark Robins does to a club. Look at that Coventry squad now – that’s his squad and you see what they’re doing now.

“Long-term he’s the right man for them. Does promotion come early? Never say never; we saw that with Ipswich and Luton and even Sunderland last year. They’d love it, of course, but it’s not the expectation.”

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Top-half finish would be massive progress for Stoke City this season

Stoke City have been away from the top flight since the 2017/18 season. It’s no secret that they desperately want and need to get back there.

Pundits think Stoke have a chance this season, but of course, the Championship is a very competitive league. A good start is not enough, they will need to keep this up for 46 games.

The Stoke City board have invested a lot in the club over the last few years. Eventually, promotion has to be achieved.

But, given the Potters have not finished in the top half in the last seven seasons (and have actually got progressively worse over the last three), anything above 12th for Mark Robins and Stoke City this year would be a massive step forward.