Mark Robins loves underrated element of ‘brilliant’ Stoke City star who is causing ‘panic’ this season

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Stoke City sit top of the Championship and one summer signing is earning high praise from manager Mark Robins.

After firing three goals past both Derby and Sheffield Wednesday in the league, as well as beating Walsall 4-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the Carabao Cup first round, Robins’ first full season in charge with the Potters couldn’t have started any better.

Although the former Coventry boss admitted his Stoke players struggled with a ‘difficult’ aspect of Wednesday’s pitch, Stoke saw off the second tier’s strugglers 3-0 amid Wednesday fan protest inside the stadium in their latest victory.

One addition Robins and co. made this summer has been a key cog in Stoke’s performances already – but it’s not his goal contributions that the Potters boss loves the most.

Sorba Thomas hailed for work ‘out of possession’ against Sheffield Wednesday

Stoke winger Thomas signed from Huddersfield this summer on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old had two loan spells while with the Terriers, first with Blackburn in 2023 and then Nantes last season.

He has already bagged a goal and three assists, the same number he managed in the whole of the 2024/25 campaign. But Robins has been more impressed by his work ‘out of possession’.

Speaking at Hillsborough, the Stoke boss said: “Sorba’s crosses always invite a little bit of panic in the opposition penalty area.

“But it’s not just that, it’s his out of possession stuff that he does that makes him someone we wanted to sign. I think that’s fair to say.

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“In and out of possession he’s been brilliant. There’s more to come, which is exciting.”

Thomas has started both of the Potters’ league games on the left wing of the their attack, with Divin Mubama and Million Manhoef completing the front three.

Sorba Thomas topping Championship goal contributions stats

Former West Ham youth academy star Thomas has managed the most goal contributions of any player in the second tier so far this season with four.

He assisted Lewis Baker and scored in the ninth minute of added time in the 3-1 win over Derby before grabbing two assists for Manhoef and Mubama against Wednesday.

71.4% of the Wales international’s dribbles have been successful and he’s created seven chances for the Potters so far.

Stoke face a trip to relegated Southampton on Saturday. They have already shaken off the 17-year curse of being winless in their first away league fixture of the season when they defeated Wednesday, and will be hoping to continue their good fortune.