Stoke City accomplished Narcis Pelach's mission as they unlock familiar quality

Stoke City's Million Manhoef celebrates scoring
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Million Manhoef struck a wonderful equaliser on his return to the starting XI to ensure Stoke City collected another point - a point they deserved - against the dangerous Norwich City at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday.

Manhoef curled home on the stroke of half time, only two minutes before Ante Crnac had rattled the Canaries in front, finally breaching Viktor Johansson's goal who, until then, had performed impressively to keep the visitors at bay.

There was lots to like, and despite the absence of experienced Sam Gallagher, out injured for the foreseeable future, there is an exciting new wave of attack-minded talents emerging and gelling after their transfer window arrivals. Here are the talking points.

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One of the best

He might've suffered relegation last season, but it wasn't because of a lack of effort from Johansson in the Rotherham side which propped up the league table. Indeed you need only ask anyone associated with the Millers and, even now, they'd tell you just how good he was at the New York Stadium, irrespective of the club's fate.

Johansson is still only 26 years old, a full international and this display was just the latest sign that Stoke have recruited themselves one of the best stoppers in the division this past summer. It's easy to get carried away by a string of Hollywood saves, but there's much more to his game.

It was Johansson's decision making, his reading of the game, his determination to defend his box as much as his goal from set-pieces. Of course, the stunning saves only complemented the overall display. Even at the death, communication with Junior Tchamadeu - only just on as a sub - was vital in ensuring the ball was shepherded out of play. This was an impressive outing.

Fighting spirit

This was Stoke's 11th point of the season, and their first acquired having had to come from behind in a game. A new quality unlocked (or rediscovered), perhaps? Time will tell, but it's encouraging that such a fighting result has been secured so early into Narcis Pelach's tenure and against such decent opposition.

The goal was a lovely one, curled home beautifully by Manhoef after Stoke had fallen behind and recycled an attack. They could've drifted through to the break having been kicked in the gut by Crnac's opener, but instead they dusted themselves off from kick off and set about immediately responding.

The timing was significant indeed, and would have transformed Pelach's half time team talk. You could see that it raised spirits, too, for Stoke began the second half a fair bit better than their visitors and applied pressure which Norwich had to cope with. On another day, they'd have punished the Canaries.

Mission accomplished

Borja Sainz entered this game as one of the Championship's most in-form players, and the division's joint top scorer after a run of five goals in his last four games. In truth, he never really had a sniff here, bar a couple of bending shots from distance which Johansson watched carefully past his far post.

There were little moments of magic from Sainz, flicks and touches which were indicators of his quality, but frankly they were well away from Stoke's goal where he was welcome to perform them. When it came to carving out clear chances and working sights of goal, Sainz was kept at bay.

Pelach said at his press conference on Friday that his defenders had to 'hide' Sainz, a player he was well versed in the talent of having worked closely with him at Norwich and having tried to bring him to Huddersfield before the playmaker had even arrived in England. It was a job well done. To a man, the Stoke defence were solid here and kept Norwich at an arm's length - even the opening goal came with its good fortune.

Thick and fast

With a broader view, Stoke have five points from their last three games either side of the international break, building blocks which are necessary when a squad of any club with a new manager is still getting to grips with the new demands and ways of a fresh way of thinking. Results are important not only for the here and now but also as endorsements for the new regime.

This is clearly a work in progress, as a young, new manager with a clear identity implements that approach within a squad which has been refreshed and reinvigorated with young, attacking talents.

With the international break fortnight put to bed for another month, and with Pelach hopefully feeling as though he and his players have benefitted from that uninterrupted spell to work on a number of things, the games are now coming quickly - beginning with Bristol City on Tuesday. There can be no resting on laurels as Stoke prepare to put another plan into action.

What did you make of Stoke's performance? Have your say here