New Stoke City hero tells Mark Robins exactly where to play him after star role in win vs Derby County

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After a disappointing end to last season, Stoke City started the new campaign in the best possible way against Derby County with a stunning 3-1 win at the bet365 Stadium.

The Potters only just avoided relegation to League One in 2024/25, but any fears of struggling at the start of 2025/26 have been eased with an excellent victory over the Rams in Staffordshire.

Despite going 1-0 down to John Eustace’s side, as Carlton Morris scored on his debut after leaving Luton Town in July, Mark Robins’ troops stayed calm and equalised quickly through Lewis Baker.

Divin Mubama and Sorba Thomas fired in late on to hand Stoke all three points over Derby, but it was one of the non-goalscorers who took the headlines and he has spoken about his best position ahead of Tuesday evening’s Carabao Cup tie at home to Walsall.

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Jamie Donley outlines his best position after Stoke City debut

Jamie Donley only came off the bench in the final 15 minutes on Saturday afternoon, but he provided the assist for Thomas’ goal, playing an excellent pass through to the winger who impressed for Wales in June.

After signing on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, the 20-year-old is wanting to make an impact at Stoke, and he has explained in which position he plays his best football.

He said (via: Stoke Sentinel): “That’s a big part of why I came. The manager spoke to me about how we try to play football and then out of possession we’re aggressive and high intensity. I like doing that. I like pressing from the front and helping the team and help whoever is the striker.

“I’m not one to sit back and let people dictate play, I’d rather just run and get the ball off them to be honest. I played left-back in pre-season for Spurs and I’m probably not as comfortable there as I would be in the number 10 position. The gaffer said he’d seen me play a bit deeper in midfield as well and I’m obviously happy to play in too but 10 is probably my most natural position.

“(That position) is about creating chances and scoring goals, a calmness in and around the box to find the right pass or find the goal. I think my work rate as well, whether that’s helping the team defend or getting back in for second balls and that’s something the manager speaks a lot about.

“In the game against Derby, for instance, they played long quite a lot so you have to be ready for when the ball comes back to deal with that second phase.”

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Jamie Donley was excellent for Leyton Orient in League One

Donley has every right to demand playing in the attacking midfield role after a fantastic season at Leyton Orient in League One last time out.

He scored eight goals and registered 10 assists in 39 games for the O’s as they narrowly missed out on promotion to the Championship through the play-offs.

Building up full fitness is the Northern Irish midfielder’s next task after a stop-start pre-season at Tottenham, but there is no doubt that Stoke have a star on their hands in the form of Donley.

After showing what he can do in just a matter of minutes against Derby on Saturday, a start against Walsall could be an even greater indicator to Robins about his talents.