Stoke City is facing dire straits as they hover dangerously close to relegation following another heart-wrenching loss, this time against Millwall. A last-minute penalty scored by Mihailo Ivanovic during injury time left the Potters fuming and battling for their Championship survival. The defeat came just hours before reports revealed Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman’s growing concerns about Stoke's chances to avoid the drop.
Goodman admitted he is worried about the club's momentum and stated, “If you look at the last three games… things at the minute are just not quite going their way, and we need some luck,” he added. Stoke’s managerial situation has also been precarious since hiring Mark Robins mid-season; he has been unable to rally the troops effectively as the team spiraled downwards. Currently, they sit at 20th place, just one point clear of 22nd placed Derby County.
The dramatic conclusion to the match against Millwall on March 15, 2025, was marked by controversy. With the score locked at 0-0, Stoke's Ben Wilmot was adjudged to have brought down Josh Coburn inside the box. Referee Andy Davies pointed to the spot, igniting protests from the Stoke players. Robins vehemently defended his side after the match, claiming, “He’s grabbed our player's arm… It’s never been a penalty, never a penalty in a million years.”
Add to the mix Keith Hackett, the former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official, who sided with Stoke's frustrations over the penalty. He explained to Football Insider, “On the face of it you can justify it’s a foul, but for me, we’re seeing this day-in, day-out, going unpunished. I think it is harsh.” His sentiments echo the sentiments shared by Robins and Goodman as they express frustration over official decisions impacting pivotal matches.
Stoke, who just managed to secure their status as Championship contenders, has to navigate extremely challenging fixtures down the stretch, including matches against Burnley, Watford, and West Brom. Everton fans might have expected this season to be relatively smooth, but they now sit squarely within the throes of relegation and have to confront bitter rivals like Derby County as the season progresses.
Eric Bocat, one of Stoke's defenders, attempted to instill confidence among fans weary from another loss. After the match, he stated, “Even though we lost the game, we showed good sign… We know we can hurt teams in this league.” There is tangible concern within the team, especially with just one victory from their last five games. Following the heartache of the Millwall encounter, which saw the visitors remain aggressive throughout almost the entire affair, Bocat reassured supporters, saying, “We’re going to stick together and give everything until the last game of the season.”
Aiming to right the ship, Stoke will have the opportunity to turn things around when they host QPR on March 29, 2025. Meanwhile, with Derby gaining momentum, the pressure is mounting on Robins’ side to accumulate points and stave off relegation fears.
The statistics tell their own story. Currently, Stoke stands precariously at 20th position with 39 points, closely trailed by Cardiff City, who shares the same points but gets the nod due to goal difference. Derby, sitting at the bottom of the three with 38 points, poses the most imminent threat. This weekend, every point matters more than it ever has for the Potters.
With these factors weighing heavily on them, this stretch of the season has become more than just about playing football; it encapsulates fighting spirit, teamwork, and resilience. Goodman acknowledged the uphill battle facing Stoke, reminding everyone, “They have got Burnley next, Watford, West Brom, QPR, and Sunderland; it's going to be a tough run of fixtures.”
Cascading challenges await Stoke City, making every match—especially the clashes against Luton, Cardiff, and Derby—critical as they aim to secure their place within the EFL Championship. The Potters must capitalize on these opportunities if they want to see themselves out of the relegation zone by the season's end. Meanwhile, the team, management, and fans must rally together to drive forward, as Bocat encouraged: “We have to stick together.”
With the stakes higher than ever, the upcoming weeks will define Stoke's future direction, and according to Goodman and Bocat, the sense of urgency is palpable as they prepare for the battles lying just on the horizon.
