Mark Robins: Stoke City head coach adamant things are different this season

Stoke City boss Mark Robins says things around the club “feel different” heading into the new season – and that they remain desperate to end their near-decade absence from the Premier League.

Robins is preparing for his second full season in charge, hoping to return the Potters to the top flight for the first time since relegation in 2018.

In the eight seasons since, Stoke have failed to mount a sustained challenge for promotion, finishing 16th, 15th, 14th, 14th,16th, 17th, 18th and 17th, with relegation more of a threat in recent campaigns.

Last season – Robin’s first full one – suggested a potential shift, with the club second in the Championship after winning eight of their first 14 games, but an injury crisis and loss of form derailed their campaign.

Despite that record, Robins, speaking at a fans’ forum broadcast on BBC Radio Stoke, said it is important to focus on the future, not the past, as they approach this term.

“We can’t look at where we’ve been over the last seven or eight years – and it has been really disappointing for everybody that’s been there all the time,” he said.

“And each season that goes by, it’s even more of a kick in the teeth.

“This season has changed. It’s different. It’s positive; we’re looking forward to everything.

“That’s not to say that it wasn’t last season, (but) it feels different.”