Stoke City, almost to a man, had one of those days against Southampton. They lacked energy, aggression, intensity and accuracy in a performance that has to go down as an aberration. This wasn't the Stoke City we know and that can at least partly be blamed on an injury crisis we're becoming all too familiar with. But there's a real danger now that The Potters' season will be derailed by fitness issues to so many key players. The next month could define Stoke's season.

Source: BBC February 01, 2026 20:50 UTC