Stoke City was correct to turn down Wouter Burger’s transfer request for this reason.

Stoke City had a quiet deadline day after what I considered to be their biggest victory of the season,

and I didn’t anticipate anything different.

I have consistently stated all season that the players are already here and that, with the proper management,

we will suddenly look like a different squad without having to go into the transfer market,

regardless of whether or not Financial Fair Play restrictions stopped them from conducting business.

I felt that we were well-organized and compact both in and out of possession, especially in the first half

against West Bromwich Albion. That was encouraging. After that, we made a mistake against

Portsmouth and lost to Oxford at home when we were supposed to do better.

Then to descend However, it was clear to me from Stoke’s lineup in that game that Robins trusted

what he had been witnessing on the practice field. To keep things tight and prevent anything from being revealed,

you send a team out in a panic. However, Robins essentially played 4-4-2, with two up top and two in central midfield.

That clearly shows that he has faith in his players. Later, he talked about releasing the handbrake.

He won’t have needed much time to assess his team. There are methods to set up practice so that you

can see how well the players do in certain areas and hear what the two instructors he came with him have to say.

Players will return, and Sam Gallagher and Million Manhoef in particular, to give the manager a variety of options.

and Andrew Moran will provide him with the competition he needs. At the very least,

Robins will have an advantage over Stoke, who will have to decide on Ryan Mmaee in the summer.

It will be a plus if he returns to fitness with the proper motivation and effort.