Narcis Pelach states that his Stoke City players have embraced his new ideas with an open mind and a strong work ethic.
Stoke City players have received positive feedback from head coach Narcis Pelach, who is pleased with their eagerness to embrace his new methods.
In his first three weeks in charge, Pelach acknowledges that he has provided the squad with a lot of information. He has taken the time to highlight their strengths and areas for improvement during half-time and full-time discussions, along with numerous meetings and training sessions at Clayton Wood. Despite the overload, he has been impressed by their willingness to absorb this knowledge and begin implementing it on the pitch. However, he emphasizes the need to build on these foundations to create more chances and score more goals.
“They listen and want to improve, which is crucial,” Pelach stated. “Tactically, we were fine against Swansea, but the key was to play forward when we regained possession. They were expansive, and we could have had more success.”
Pelach’s transition to Stoke has been busy, facing teams like Hull, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, and Swansea while instilling his philosophies and ground rules. He’s encouraged by the team’s growth, particularly the impressive win against Portsmouth followed by a resilient draw at Swansea. With four points from those matches, he sees it as a solid starting point for future challenges.
“I think so,” Pelach said, reflecting on their performances. “Middlesbrough was tough, and we lost energy against Hull, but we bounced back. The team looks more organized and solid, but it’s a long process. Without a pre-season, we need coaching time to implement our ideas. The players’ passion and willpower are promising signs.”
Stoke City will be back in action on Saturday, October 19, at home against Pelach’s former club, Norwich, followed by a match against Bristol City on Tuesday.