Pundit identifies one major Stoke City concern despite Mark Robins revival | OneFootball

Ali Maxwell from the 'Not The Top 20' podcast has outlined one major concern they have for Stoke City, despite their upturn in form

Stoke City have swatted away the early pressure after three defeats on the spin to begin the new Championship season by going five unbeaten heading into the international break, though one big concern remains for Mark Robins' side.

Stoke started the 2026/27 Championship campaign just as they had finished last year's, with three defeats on the spin, as the pressure piled on manager Robins to turn things around ASAP.

Swansea City, Southampton, and Wolverhampton Wanderers each came away with three points against the Potters, and on deadline day, Norwich City were hoping to do the same.

However, a change in shape has coincided with an excellent upturn in form for the North Staffordshire side, winning four of their last five and drawing the other, though doubts have emerged as to whether this sort of form is sustainable.

One major concern in Stoke City's upturn in form has been revealed

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Stoke, aside from West Ham United, have been the form side in the Championship across the past five games, and Ali Maxwell from the 'Not The Top 20' podcast has heaped praise on the Potters and Robins for their performances, but has outlined one major concern they have for the club moving forward.

Maxwell said: "I just want to mention Stoke City, because it might have been an amazing month for them, and it absolutely has been a great month for them.

"They've won four and drawn one in September, and Mark Robins should win Manager of the Month, in my eyes.

"But, whilst I think the defence looks good, and whilst I think they've got one of the best shot-stoppers, if not the best shot-stopper in the league, and therefore, I think that floor looks more than high enough to survive, it was only a month ago that we were a bit worried about them.

"I think some of the reasons we were worried about them can still be considered, even if they have been on a decent run of results recently, and I'm adamant that this attack still needs work, and that this attack and these attackers are not yet proven just because they have won a couple of games.

"McGlynn scoring from 30 yards. It might happen every game; he's done it in his last two, but it probably won't, and I want to see more of a constant attacking force from them to get really, really excited.

"A poor run, let's say, in their next four or five, and the same old conversations will be being had as to why Stoke are underwhelming and underperforming for such a long period of time now."

Can Stoke City maintain their positive run of form and performances heading into the next block of fixtures?

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Indeed, Stoke have scored some excellent goals already this season, with McGlynn netting two excellent finishes against Watford and Sheffield United, Sam Gallagher against Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Blades, and Ethan Galbraith against Norwich City and Charlton Athletic.

Whilst, on the one hand, these goals, for the average player, are less likely to go in as regularly given the smaller probability of scoring from range, there is legitimate cause for concern as to whether the Potters can continue this level of confidence and quality in finding the back of the net from outside the area.

However, McGlynn has proven to be excellent from range during his time in the MLS, and Galbraith looks every bit a £10 million player already, and with confidence running high, why can't they continue scoring from range?

Championship play-offs this season, and whether this level of form and performance can be sustained beyond the international break remains to be seen.

Mark Robins won't care how results come about for his Stoke City side

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One person who won't care in the slightest about their recent goals will be Robins, who, if anything, will be encouraging his players to have a pop from distance more regularly after recent evidence.

Whilst depending on his players scoring from range regularly should not be something Robins relies upon in the long term, he will certainly not mind right now as long as they're getting him the results he craves.

Time will tell whether the Potters' attack can maintain this level of goalscoring form, as legitimate concerns have been raised.