Stoke City boss has his say after a 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday
18:07, 16 Aug 2025Updated 18:11, 16 Aug 2025
Stoke City's Million Manhoef (right) celebrates scoring against Sheffield Wednesday
Stoke City's Million Manhoef (right) celebrates scoring against Sheffield Wednesday(Image: Danny Lawson/PA Wire.)
Mark Robins knew it was important for Stoke City to come flying out of the traps amid a load of noise at Hillsborough - and a first minute goal set them up for a 3-0 victory.
Million Manhoef scored amid a mass whistle protest against Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri, who supporters want out after a summer of crises involving late wages and bills, under investment and transfer restrictions. Divin Mubama made it 2-0 right at the start of the second-half too before Manhoef wrapped it up with his second from close range.
It follows up Stoke's opening day win against Derby County and becomes the first time they have won their opening two league games to a season since 2007.
Robins said: "(Focus) was important because of the events around Sheffield Wednesday at the moment and everybody feels for them and hopes they come through stronger on the other side, which they will. They will come out the other side but sooner rather than later, hopefully.
"With everything going on it was important to start as quickly as we did and thankfully Mil's got himself into a really good position and pulled his shot to the near post as the goalkeeper was moving to his right and had no chance. It was a brilliant start for us because it settles everything in the stadium.
"We went on to play ok. It was really sticky, the grass was really sticky and it made it difficult to run with the ball. When you've got players who carry the ball, it's difficult for them in these circumstances. You have to pass and you have to pass in front. It's no good going to feet because it's just too slow and they're running - and they are running really hard.
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"It was a tough game and the scoreline doesn't necessarily reflect the game in general because they had some really good opportunities to get the ball in our box but I thought we defended well. When we didn't defend as well as we could, Viktor was there to make some really good saves.
"The goals we scored were really good. Mil's got two and Divin's got another one so that's two in two for him and two in two for Mil. We had other opportunities and the keeper has made some saves, we've created some decent chances and when Jamie Donley came on, the cross for Divin was a brilliant cross. Brilliant, right on the money. You'd hope down the line we'd score that.
"But I'm not going to complain. The good thing for me is that there is improvement there and lots of it. While it's really pleasing, it still gives us things to work on - and work on from a decent position, albeit only after two games.
"It is only two games but we've scored six goals and only conceded one and that's a big improvement. I'd take those."
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