Narcis Pelach remains focused and grounded despite Stoke City’s recent defeat, refusing to let the result overshadow the progress his team is making. After their five-match unbeaten streak was broken by a loss to Burnley at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday, Pelach knows the upcoming schedule will test his young squad. Stoke faces tough away games against Sunderland and Luton Town, followed by home fixtures against Leeds and Sunderland, and a rematch with Burnley during the holiday period. However, Pelach is confident in the team’s development and is determined not to overreact to individual results, whether wins or losses.
Pelach’s message to his players is clear: maintain balance in both victory and defeat. He emphasized that, despite the disappointment of the loss to Burnley, he was pleased with the players’ effort and focus. “As long as the effort was there… everyone was focused on what we had to do and played for the team,” Pelach said. He was especially pleased with the team’s body language and attitude, noting that while the defeat was tough, it was important to acknowledge the quality of their opponents. He expressed his belief that the foundations for improvement are being laid, and as long as the team gives its all, they will continue to progress through the season.
Since his arrival in September, Pelach has continually stressed that Stoke is a work in progress. This may require adjusting tactics for tougher matches, such as the one against Burnley, where he employed wing-backs and a more pragmatic approach. Looking ahead to the next challenge against Sunderland, who are fourth in the Championship, Pelach remains adaptable. He noted that Stoke’s style of play has evolved, shifting to more direct tactics such as long balls and long throws, which helped to balance the pressure against Burnley. He feels that this approach gave Stoke more chances in the game, particularly in dealing with second balls and creating opportunities against an organized opposition.
Reflecting on the Burnley match, Pelach explained that playing against a team like them requires a tactical balance. While he was satisfied with the first half, he was disappointed by the lack of goals. He praised his team’s effort in pressing Burnley but acknowledged that pressing too high can leave them vulnerable, especially when facing skilled wingers. He was pleased with how his team adjusted to the pressure, but the inability to capitalize on chances left him with mixed feelings about the overall performance.
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