Stoke City began the season in strong form, but their push for a top-six finish has collapsed after a prolonged slump in results.
Under the management of Mark Robins, Stoke started the campaign impressively and were competing near the top of the table alongside Coventry City and Middlesbrough during the opening weeks.
That momentum has since disappeared. A poor run of form has pushed the Potters well away from the promotion race and even the play-off places. With only a limited number of games remaining, another finish in the bottom half now appears likely unless results improve dramatically.
Injuries derail Stoke’s momentum
One of the main reasons behind the decline has been a lengthy injury list. Several key players have missed significant periods this season, including Viktor Johansson, Lewis Baker, Junior Tchamadeu and Divin Mubama.
Mubama’s absence was particularly damaging because it forced the club to reassess its attacking options during the January transfer window.
January decision raises questions
With multiple forwards unavailable — including Mubama, Sam Gallagher, Robert Bozenik, Emre Tezgel and Nathan Lowe — Stoke urgently needed reinforcements in attack.
Although Lowe had returned from a loan spell at Stockport County after suffering an injury, Stoke chose to send him out on loan again, this time to Wycombe Wanderers.
Instead, the club signed Dutch striker Milan Smit from Go Ahead Eagles on loan, with an obligation to make the move permanent for around £4.8 million in the summer.
Smit struggling while Lowe impresses
Smit arrived with solid credentials after leading the line for Go Ahead Eagles for two seasons and helping the club win the KNVB Cup.
However, his start at Stoke has been underwhelming. The 23-year-old has yet to register a goal or assist in his first seven league appearances and has recently dropped out of the starting lineup, with Lamine Cisse preferred in attack.
Meanwhile, Lowe has made an immediate impact at Wycombe. The England youth international has scored twice and provided one assist in his first four league matches, quickly rediscovering the form that boosted his reputation during his loan spell at Walsall last season.
Stoke’s attacking struggles continue
Stoke’s biggest issue this season has been their lack of goals. Sorba Thomas currently leads the team in both goals and assists, highlighting the lack of consistent output from the club’s forwards.
Mubama, Gallagher and Bozenik have combined for only seven league goals this season — three of which came in a single match against Bristol City. With numbers like that, Stoke’s struggles in front of goal are hardly surprising.
A decision that may haunt Stoke
Smit is expected to complete his permanent move this summer for £4.8 million, while Lowe will return from his loan at Wycombe. The two could end up competing for a starting role next season.
For now, however, the early signs suggest Stoke may have taken a risk by signing Smit while allowing Lowe to leave on loan — a decision that could prove to be one of the club’s more questionable transfer calls this season.
Andy