Narcis Pelach acknowledged that possession alone isn’t enough as Stoke City struggled to break through against Preston North End. Despite controlling 57% of the ball at the bet365 Stadium, Stoke’s clearest chance came from a first-half corner when Wouter Burger struck the post. Pelach emphasized the need for more creativity in open play, especially against a team like Preston, known for grinding out 0-0 draws. He highlighted the importance of off-the-ball movement from his forward players to provide consistent passing options and maintain attacking momentum.
Reflecting on the performance, Pelach admitted the team fell short in key areas. “We had a lot of possession but without meaningful shots,” he noted, pointing out that Stoke managed 12 attempts but only one on target—a strike from Tom Edwards—apart from Burger’s effort. He stressed that the team lacked the pace, speed, and quick exchanges necessary to unsettle the opposition. At halftime, efforts were made to address the sluggishness by encouraging more dynamic movement, ensuring players on the ball had visible options. However, the energy never fully returned, and Stoke’s performance remained too slow and disjointed to capitalize on their possession.
Pelach also suggested fatigue played a role, particularly in the final third of the match. From the 60th minute onwards, the players struggled to recover their defensive shape and react quickly in transitions, both with and without the ball. This lack of sharpness ultimately hindered their ability to impose themselves and find the decisive edge needed to secure a victory.
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