{"id":392315,"date":"2025-09-02T16:24:13","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T16:24:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/392315\/"},"modified":"2025-09-02T16:24:13","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T16:24:13","slug":"stoke-citys-best-starting-xi-as-mark-robins-weighs-up-birmingham-debuts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/392315\/","title":{"rendered":"Stoke City&#8217;s best starting XI as Mark Robins weighs up Birmingham debuts"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Mark Robins will have a couple of new faces in his Stoke City squad for the next game<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_imagemaker-33.jpg\" alt=\"Mark Robins has brought in 11 new signings this summer.\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Mark Robins has brought in 11 new signings this summer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Lamine Cisse and new signing Tomas Rigo are hoping to come into contention when <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stokesentinel.co.uk\/all-about\/stoke-city-fc\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Stoke City<\/a> next line up in the Championship.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Cisse is stepping up his training after joining with a minor shoulder injury while Rigo is ready to go <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stokesentinel.co.uk\/sport\/football\/transfer-news\/stoke-city-transfer-news-deadline-10455843\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">after completing a protracted transfer from Banik Ostrava.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">There are <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stokesentinel.co.uk\/sport\/football\/transfer-news\/stoke-city-transfer-deadline-day-10467776\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">other new signings who are hoping they can do enough<\/a> in training or in international appearances over the next few days to come into Mark Robins&#8217; starting XI plans, including centre-backs Maksym Talovierov and Ashley Phillips, midfielder Jamie Donley and striker Robert Bozenik. Steven Nzonzi and Sam Gallagher are hoping to be in contention soon too.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Robins will be weighing up his best side for the different challenges Stoke will face from week to week in the Championship. They won their first three games against Derby, Sheffield Wednesday and Southampton before <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stokesentinel.co.uk\/sport\/football\/football-news\/stoke-west-brom-live-stream-10462925\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">being edged out by West Brom<\/a> last Saturday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">They return to action on Saturday, September 13 against Birmingham City at the bet365 Stadium. Newly-promoted Birmingham have won two and drawn one of their opening four games and like to see themselves as a possession-based side.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Either way, there are options for Robins to consider in most positions. It will be interesting to see over the next few months who emerges as first choice in defence, midfield and attack or if the manager finds a way to spread out game time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Our selection widget is live for you to put yourself in Robins&#8217; trainers and pick the best side for any given game when everyone is fit and available. What would you change? Let us know in the comments section.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">How do you rate Stoke&#8217;s summer business? <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stokesentinel.co.uk\/sport\/football\/football-news\/stoke-city-transfer-tomas-rigo-10470117#comments-wrapper\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Click HERE to join the debate<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n<p>This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stokesentinel.co.uk\/affiliates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755043638_712_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a349<\/p>\n<p>\u00a335<\/p>\n<p>Sky<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"AffiliateContent_content-buy-btn__xWiVO buy-btn\" aria-label=\"Buy button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=11005&amp;awinaffid=213635&amp;campaign=&amp;clickref=Regionals-FootballLondon&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sky.com%2Fdeals&amp;platform=pl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\">Get Sky Sports here<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has slashed the price of its <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=11005&amp;awinaffid=213635&amp;campaign=&amp;clickref=Regionals-FootballLondon&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sky.com%2Fdeals&amp;platform=pl\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Essential TV and Sky Sports<\/a> bundle for the 2025\/26 season, saving members \u00a3336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">While you&#8217;re here, we have launched a new WhatsApp group to deliver the latest Stoke news directly to your phone. <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/LKaSqZKU1n33fE1SlzOasB\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Click on this link,Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Click on this link,<\/a> select &#8216;Join Chat&#8217; and you&#8217;re in. If for some reason you decide you no longer want to be in our community, you can leave at any time by clicking on the name at the top of your screen and clicking &#8216;Exit Group&#8217;, simple as that.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Every day, the StokeonTrentLive football desk strive to deliver news, features and transfer-related stories as a part of our overall package of Stoke City content.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Our dedicated reporter Pete Smith &#8211; who you can follow on X by <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PeteSmith1983\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"[object Object] Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\">clicking here <\/a>&#8211; follows Stoke home and away and offers you comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything that happens in between.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">With so much going on, we send out a daily free Stoke City newsletter which you can sign up for &#8211; and means you&#8217;ll have a round-up of the key stories land in your email inbox. Sign up to the Potters newsletter <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stokesentinel.co.uk\/newsletter-preference-centre\/?utm_source=newslettersignupheader\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"[object Object] Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here <\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">If you prefer reading our Stoke stories on your phone, consider downloading the Stoke-on-TrentLive app, in which you can personalise the content you see by selecting Stoke City as one of your designated topics. You can get it from Apple <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com\/?id=76202X1561109&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fapps.apple.com%2Fgb%2Fapp%2Fstoke-on-trent-live%2Fid1323006910&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stokesentinel.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Ftransfer-news%2Fstoke-city-outcast-wanted-man-10440605\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"[object Object] Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here <\/a>and for Android <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.stokesentinel&amp;hl=en_GB\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"[object Object] Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here <\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Mark Robins will have a couple of new faces in his Stoke City squad for the next gameMark&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":392316,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7820],"tags":[855,1205,748,393,4884,97562,74089,135853,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-392315","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-birmingham","8":"tag-birmingham","9":"tag-birmingham-city-fc","10":"tag-britain","11":"tag-england","12":"tag-great-britain","13":"tag-mark-robins","14":"tag-stoke-city-fc","15":"tag-stoke-city-transfer-news","16":"tag-uk","17":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115135635319282990","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/392315","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=392315"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/392315\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/392316"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=392315"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=392315"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=392315"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}