A Cold Wet Tuesday Night: 'Top of the League'
"Watching the first two games, it's a breath of fresh air compared to last year."
Lucas Yeomans and Ben Rowley are joined by boxer Nathan Heaney and friend Liam Clarkson to discuss the optimism at Stoke City after a table-topping start to the season.
Listen to the full episode of A Cold Wet Tuesday Night and more on BBC Sounds.
Image source, Rex FeaturesRyan Mmaee has left Stoke City with immediate effect after two years at the Bet 365 Stadium.
The 27-year-old forward spent the first half of last season on loan at Austrian club Rapid Wein but his spell was disrupted with injury and, after failing to make a single appearance, he returned to Stoke in February.
During his first year with the Potters, Mmaee was made to train with the club's Under-21 side for disciplinary reasons by then manager Steven Schumacher.
In total, the Moroccan international scored five goals in 31 games for Stoke following his move from Hungarian club Ferencvaros in the summer of 2023.
Image source, Getty ImagesStoke City defender Aaron Cresswell says he felt "straightaway the feel-good factor" in the club after joining in July.
Cresswell left West Ham after 11 years with the club and has started both the opening two games for the Potters.
The 35-year-old has praised his new teammates and the club's start to the campaign.
"We've had a fantastic start to the season, no doubt about it, but it's only the start. We're not getting complacent or anything like that; we know how tough this division is, and we have just got to be ready for every challenge.
"Every team will bring a different strength and weakness and we have to go into that full of positivity and ready for the next challenge.
"Since I've been here I've watched the games, obviously I missed a couple, but the lads were excellent in those games, beating Burnley at home and drawing with Wolves and a couple of other games we've played, but it's a start, and that's all it is,
"I can only speak for what I've experienced up to now, but straightaway I got that feel-good factor, and the positivity around the place feels right; that's the way I'm feeling. The group, the fans and everything about it feels so positive at the moment, and we want to keep it that way."
Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds
Stoke City supporters have given their thoughts on the club's new crest for the 2026-27 season.
The Potters have been liaising with fans and conducting a voting process in which supporters could opt to keep the existing badge or change to one that has been newly designed by the club.
A vote from supporters resulted in 68% being in favour of the new identity, which is inspired by the badge that was used from 1977 to 1992, while 32% wanted to keep the current crest.
"I think it's something we should have done years ago, I know there's the 1863, but we have to have some recognition of the city with the Pot bank, the Staffordshire knot, I think that's part of us," a supporter told BBC Radio Stoke.
"I'd definitely buy a shirt with that badge on if it comes out next year."
The new club badge hasn't been devoid of criticism from some supporters.
"Being completely transparent, there are probably a couple of things about the badge that I don't particularly like and that I would change if I had that power," another supporter said.
"Ultimately those very changes that some people would probably want to make, would be unfavourable to a lot of other supporters."
Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds
Robins: 'It will need to be better'
Stoke boss Mark Robins says his side need to keep getting better after claiming two wins from their first two Championship matches of the season.
Following a 3-0 success at Sheffield Wednedsay, the Potters' boss told BBC Radio Stoke: "I thought it was a brilliant, hard-fought win, and the three goals don't tell the full story of the game.
"Today was always going to be hard, but we wanted to start quick and that early goal settled everything.
"We spoke about coming out in the second half and getting another goal to see the game off, and we hit the bar and forced their keeper into some good saves too.
"We won 3-0, we have six points and one goal conceded [in two games] but there is still room for improvement. It's very early and we have played two teams who are tough to play against, but it will need to be better."
Mark Elliott
Stoke City commentator for BBC Radio Stoke
Image source, Rex FeaturesSo much of the talk before kick-off centred on the planned protests by Wednesday fans desperate to see an end to the problems that have blighted their club's summer.
In the end, Stoke managed to silence most of the whistles and boos pouring down from the crowd aimed at Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri by scoring early, right in the middle of the supporters' intended demonstration.
From the moment Million Manhoef gave Stoke the lead the result seemed set.
For him personally, it was a reminder of what he can do, with new arrivals Sorba Thomas, Jamie Donley and Lamine Cisse all set to threaten the Dutchman's place in the side.
It was a nicely taken goal, slotted in at the near post and showed the close control and balance that can set Manhoef apart from most in this league when he's at his best.
Too often Manhoef has flattered to deceive in a Stoke shirt but his second goal, attacking the far post following Divin Mubama's strike further underlined his potential.
A fit and motivated Manhoef could be a real asset for The Potters this season.
Mubama is a goal scorer. His movement and work rate are excellent and he has a knack of finding space in the box. He scored for the second successive game and could have had another two with close range headers. His loan from Manchester City looks like a great piece of business.
Stoke hit the bar through Lewis Baker and Thomas was a constant threat from either wing. They were very effective going forward but were also grateful to Viktor Johansson who made three good saves to keep the game comfortable.
The opening two games offer real hope that Stoke can compete at the right end of the table this season and after the game, manager Mark Robins said he's determined that his side will continue to improve.
Robins: 'Around the place, it feels good'
Stoke City boss Mark Robins says the signing of winger Lamine Cisse took longer than anticipated due to the Frenchman's injury.
Cisse is currently nursing a minor shoulder injury but fans can expect to see their first glimpse of the 22-year-old, who joined the club on Thursday, sooner rather than later.
"Thankfully, it's not as severe as we were fearing, and he's someone we've been looking at for a while," Robins told BBC Radio Stoke.
"I look forward to him being fit, and I would imagine that won't be too long, so we are just looking forward to getting him going."
Robins has also confirmed that summer signing Maksym Talovierov has returned to training following a minor hamstring injury.
"It's great to have him back on the grass to see where he's at and try to get him up to speed as quickly as possible so he can play a part," the 55-year-old added.
Listen to the full pre-match interview with Robins and more on BBC Sounds.
Sheffield Wednesday's return to Hillsborough for the first time this season after a summer of financial disarray as they welcome Stoke City on Saturday (15:00 BST).
Planned protests against Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri went well at the King Power Stadium during the side's 2-1 loss to Leicester City last weekend and the fans will continue to apply pressure on the Thai business man on home soil.
The Potters won't want to be distracted by the noise around the club however, as they won both their Championship and Carabao Cup matches across the past week and will want to keep the winning momentum going.
Sheffield Wednesday are unbeaten across their last seven home league games against Stoke City (W2 D5), keeping clean sheets in three of their last four meetings with the Potters at Hillsborough.
After beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 in their last league meeting in April, Stoke City could win successive league matches against the Owls for the first time since winning three in a row between 1969 and 1984.
Sheffield Wednesday have lost their opening home game in just one of the last 11 league campaigns (W5 D5), with that defeat coming against Southampton in 2023-24 (1-2).
Stoke have failed to win their opening away game in any of the last 17 league campaigns (D7 L10), failing to score in each of the last five. Indeed, Stoke last won their first away league game in a season back in 2007-08 in the Championship (1-0 v Cardiff).
Sheffield Wednesday's Barry Bannan was sent off v Leicester on MD1, since his debut for the Owls in September 2015, the club holds a 40.7% win-rate when he's featured in league matches compared to 31.2% without.
A Cold Wet Tuesday Night: Squad Depth
"We got the job done and that's what matters."
Lucas Yeomans and Ben Rowley discuss Stoke City's 4-3 win on penalties against Walsall in the first round of the Carabao Cup and their squad depth going forward.
Listen to the full episode of A Cold Wet Tuesday Night and more on BBC Sounds.
Robins: 'We're through, it's as much as I can say'
Stoke City boss Mark Robins praised Walsall after his side beat the Saddlers 4-3 on penalties to progress to the second round of the Carabao Cup,
The game ended 0-0 with Robins not happy with how his team performed but insisted that the most important thing is that they are in the hat for the next round.
The Potter's travel to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday (15:00 BST) and will look to continue their winning start to the league season.
"We're through and that's about as much as I can say, we have got to take what we can from the game and that's not taking anything away from Walsall who worked their socks off," he told BBC Radio Stoke.
"We had a lot of the ball and they stopped us from creating, we had to move the ball more.
"The lads that have played will, and should, have taken something from it, fitness if anything, the good thing is that we got those minutes."
Quy: 'They're the levels they've set themselves'
Former Stoke City coach Andy Quy praised the Potters after their 3-1 win over Derby County in their opening Championship game of the new season.
Quy was goalkeeping coach at Stoke for 12 years before leaving in early 2019.
The 49-year-old said, although it is still very early in the season, he was impressed with the Potters' attitude.
"Right from the outset and the intensity they showed, it really set the tone," Quy told BBC Radio Stoke.
"It is only the first game of the season, there's 45 more, it's how they manage that intensity.
"There was a real conviction from City that really put Derby on the back foot."
Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds.
Stoke City have struck a deal worth around £2.1m with Ligue 2 side Bastia for their 22-year-old French winger Lamine Cisse. (Corsematin - in French), external
Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.
Mubama: 'It was lovely'
Striker Divin Mubama says being a student of the game is helping him develop as a footballer.
The 20-year-old joined Stoke on a season-long loan from Manchester City this summer and made the perfect start by scoring on his debut in the Potters' 3-1 win over Derby on Saturday.
"I study a lot of football. I study a lot of defensive movements and how the opposition operate in the box," he told BBC Radio Stoke.
"That's part of my development which I'll continue to do."
It was the first league goal of Mubama's senior career, but he did score once for City in an FA Cup tie against Salford in January - his only start for the Premier League side.
"It's massive. As a number nine I just want to come here and score goals," he added.
"I just want to impact as many games as I can. Obviously I want to score every game but that's not realistic.
"I want to be able to impact games on and off the ball, and I'm hungry for goals."
Mark Elliott
BBC Radio Stoke commentator
Image source, Getty ImagesSorba Thomas scored on his Stoke City debut against Derby
Stoke City got exactly the start they needed on day one of the Championship season.
The first half promised much, Stoke were dominant, had more than 70% of the ball and looked comfortable in defence. It seemed like a matter of time before the deadlock was broken.
That it was Derby who got the first goal was a surprise that brought back bad memories. Too often last season Stoke threatened throughout games but ultimately lost because they weren't clinical enough in the final third.
This new Stoke side feels different already. They were more intense, dynamic and determined to play on the front foot than the team we saw last season and Lewis Baker's quick equaliser kept the crowd on board.
The fans will play a part this season and were loud from the minute Steven Nzonzi came out to wave before kick-off as he begins a second spell at the club with a 2018 World Cup winner's medal to show for his travels.
The volume from the stands was rewarded with a Divin Mubama header from a brilliant Tatsuki Seko cross and a goal from fellow debutant Sorba Thomas, assisted by another new signing in Jamie Donley.
Mubama's movement and work rate was excellent throughout and Aaron Cresswell added his calm experience in addition to quality delivery from out wide as all of the new signings impressed.
An EFL Cup tie at home to lower division opposition (Walsall) and an away game against troubled Sheffield Wednesday gives The Potters the opportunity to turn a great opening day into a an opening week that sets the tone for a much better season.
Robins: 'I thought we were really good'
Stoke manager Mark Robins heaped praise on his new signings as they helped his side come from behind to beat Derby 3-1 on the opening day.
The Potters only managed 45 goals last term, but found the net three times on Saturday to earn all three points against John Eustace's Rams.
"That's two goals from a new player and an assist from a new player, which is fantastic. Three goals at home gives us a really good start after a strong performance," he told BBC Radio Stoke.
"We were really good throughout, and the only time we made a mistake we went behind out of nothing. But we kept going, continued to play create opportunities.
"The cross for the second goal was fantastic, and the goal was nothing more than Divine deserved because he ran his socks off today against two experienced centre-backs.
"We have good players, who are brave on and off the ball and all three goals came from real quality. We worked on that high level and intensity in pre-season as that is what we want to be about and what the fans want to see."
