Stoke City have been told to keep faith with manager Mark Robins, and try to emulate the success that Hull City enjoyed under Sergej Jakirovic.
The Tigers stunned the football world back in May when they beat Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off final at Wembley, and are now preparing for life back in the Premier League with the Potters’ ex-head of recruitment, Jared Dublin, spearheading City’s recruitment drive this summer.
Stoke have not enjoyed that luxury since being relegated at the end of the 2017/18 campaign. Despite a strong start to last term, which saw them second in the Championship when the Tigers were 3-1 winners at the bet365 Stadium in late October, Robins’ side fell away badly and finished 17th.
Since relegation, the Potters have not been able to secure a top-10 finish in the eight seasons they’ve played in the Championship, leading to frustration amongst supporters.
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Despite falling away badly last season, the ex-Tigers star believes Stoke are on the right path with the experienced Robins, and that what City achieved should give them heart.
“I think Stoke have seen how good he is as a manager,” the ex-Tigers’ promotion winner said in conversation with talkSPORT BET Sportsbook.
“They were at the top end of the table for large spells in the first part of the season before being plagued by injuries. With the owners and the board and the data structure they have, I am sure they are working tirelessly to get the right signings in to help Mark and the lads there.
“He is a great manager who has proved he can win football matches in the Championship. I am not surprised they kept him. I am glad they did.
“Nobody gave Hull a chance of avoiding relegation the season before, and look at them now. I look at the job Alex Neil did in almost taking Millwall up, you wouldn’t have expected those situations, but that is the beauty of the Championship.”
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