Narcis Pelach sends rallying cry to Stoke City fans after spirited Southampton display
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Stoke City boss Narcis Pelach thanked supporters and praised his side’s endeavour after his side’s narrow defeat to Southampton.
Stoke City took on Premier League opposition on Tuesday night as they travelled south to face Southampton for a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Things didn’t start as planned for the Potters at St. Mary’s as they went 2-0 down within 35 minutes. Goals from Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Adam Armstrong gave the hosts the advantage, but loan man Ashley Phillips pulled one back for the visitors on the stroke of half-time.
Narcis Pelach’s side were able to build on that goal too with Tom Cannon equalising within 10 minutes of the restart. They kept themselves in the game until the dying embers, when James Bree lashed home from outside the box to send the Championship side out of the cup.
Late defeat is an obvious source of disappointment, but it was a battling display from Stoke City against Premier League opposition, so there’s real positives to take from the game.
That was reflected by head coach Pelach’s post-match reaction, who heaped praise on his side and thanked supporters while speaking on X.
The focus turns back to Championship football this weekend as Derby County visit the Bet365 Stadium.
The next run of fixtures
The immediate focus at Stoke City will turn to the game against Derby, whose poor away record should give the Potters hope of getting a valuable three points on the board.
However, Pelach has eyes on all of the next three games it seems, taking them to the next international break.
After the Rams tie, a midweek trip to Lancashire to face Blackburn Rovers awaits. They then make another swift turnaround to face Millwall on home turf, another game they will feel hopeful of getting a result in.
Results coming?
There is a growing feeling that results are coming for Stoke City. Such a spirited display against Premier League opposition will only strengthen that belief, so with some more winnable games coming up, Pelach will demand his side match those levels.
One win in eight games might mark a concerning start for a new boss. However, with performances improving and the endeavour of this side on show, the feeling that form is coming is a warranted one.
The sole win under Pelach came in the form of the 6-1 dismantling of Portsmouth. Similar performances to that should see the Potters storm up the table, but they have to start grinding out results in tougher games with endeavour alone not enough to find success.
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