Steven Schumacher Reveals Stoke City Secrets as Narcis Pelach Kicks Off Pivotal Month with Strong Start

The former Stoke City manager watched on as his successor led the team to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Derby County, marking the start of a month that could prove crucial for the club. Steven Schumacher understood how vital it was for Stoke City to secure a win in this match, setting a positive tone for what promises to be a pivotal November. After a challenging start to the season, which included the managerial transition from Schumacher to Narcis Pelach, Stoke had managed only three wins in their first 12 games. This latest result against Derby, however, brings a glimmer of hope as Stoke, currently 16th in the Championship, sit just six points shy of the top six while maintaining a three-point cushion above the relegation zone. The team is eager to steer their campaign in the right direction as they face the season’s relentless competition.

Pelach is now heading into his third consecutive three-game week, with an away match against Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday, followed by a home game against Millwall on Saturday before the international break. Upon returning, Stoke faces a challenging lineup with matches against Queens Park Rangers, Preston North End, and Burnley. With these fixtures, the Potters are hoping to find the consistency and momentum they’ve been searching for.

Reflecting on the Derby win while on Sky Sports duty, Schumacher emphasized the competitiveness of the Championship, remarking, “This division is so tight. That’s a big result for Stoke. They needed to win that game. It’s a fixture they’d likely circled as a must-win.” Schumacher added that this month offers Stoke a prime opportunity to gain momentum, noting that November could be the springboard they need. He acknowledged the team’s challenging start, with numerous away games and the adjustment to a new manager’s tactics, which can take time to fully settle in. “This month is going to be key for them, and that result was a big one. It wasn’t a brilliant performance from either team, and there wasn’t loads of quality in it, but Stoke found a way to win,” he concluded, highlighting the importance of securing points, even in scrappy matches.