Stoke City have accepted being second best and that can't happen

At home, since February 21 to April 11, from the draw with Leicester to the draw with Blackburn, we won three, drew three and didn’t lose. Twelve points out of a possible 18. It’s good, even if we can do better. Away form from February 7 to April 6 from West Brom to Derby. We didn’t win, drew one and lost five, taking one point out of a possible 18.

Then we had Wrexham away. We lost 2-0 and produced a performance level that wasn’t acceptable. Wrexham played shadow football with no opposition. They had complete control. We lacked a competitive attitude.

Then came the home match against Millwall, a team reshaped by our former manager Alex Neil over the last 15 months. I’m afraid we continued in the same non-competitive mode. We accepted being second best. They worked hard for each other, simple and effective, making demands of each other with a high level work rate. That was the first 45 minutes. We were fortunate not to be 2-0 down at that point because they missed a chance from six yards, hitting it over the bar.

FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest Stoke City news, analysis and more via the Sentinel

In the second half, after changes again, we started a bit better but Millwall found it too easy to score. They reacted well and they got that second in the end. We got a fortunate break to get into the game and make it 2-1 but then, as expected by this stage, Millwall reacted again and got their third.

It’s how you react and take pride in performance that brings togetherness and builds spirit. There are specific moments in games in particular when you have to individually dominate your own little area. You have to build an understanding of what is required with your teammates. Hang together: we shall not get beat, high energy needed, decision making positive, control the play.

I can’t say I took it easily that we had carried our away form into a home game.

As far as the manager is concerned, don’t be affected by players. You are the top dog and you have to affect your players with positivity no matter what. Then it’s up to players to respond. He has looked and sounded frustrated but, to a degree, you have to keep that to yourself, sort it out on the training pitch so that they’re either ready or out of the team.

It hasn’t helped that trust has been dented. For reasons sometimes more understandable or justifiable than others there have been a lot of changes from week to week over the second half of the season and we’re left with players who don’t quite know where they stand. Constant tweaks have an impact on partnerships and units.

First and foremost, players need to look at their own performance levels – and I’m especially looking at what they’ve done away from home, when you can really see their character. It’s not been good enough. You have to show your mental strength. That’s down to them and no one else. if you have qualms, you can address them in the manager’s office but once you leave you have to have pride in yourself and the club you’re playing for and give everything in every training session and every match.

The last week has felt like the whole team accepting second best and it’s not good. There is a lack of spirit and belief and a willingness to pass the buck. Who are the leaders stepping forward, whether it’s a quiet one setting an example with performance or a louder one being vocal as well as producing on the pitch?

We are seeing individuals all over the place. There is a lack of support around the ball and a lack of support when we’ve lost it. We haven’t got a clear pattern of play and decision making is all over the place. There is obviously a lot of work to do and, with every person involved, that work needs to start with themselves. How can I be better? How can I be more positive? How can I impact the team in a good way?

I should note that I was pleased to see Syd Agina and Pijus Otegbayo in the side on Tuesday. It’s part of the door being open from the academy and, particularly with the right-back, we’ve waited too long for this to happen.

Agina showed good enthusiasm, commitment to win a game, commitment to support the advanced player in front of him and link in as a partnership. By putting him in, he has a chance to hone his decision making on runs, movement, support and passing.

The manager will know what he’s got but he’s got to hit it at a high level and you’ve got to have patience with him. You will make the odd mistake but whether it’s defending, attacking or passing you have to get on with it and, as always, it’s how you react.

Otegbayo is the same. Instead of making that pass out of defence, get it forward, hit the channel, hit the front player. He will learn from that, hopefully. Other players shouldn’t be coming short for it in that area, give him the extra seconds and space to make the forward pass.

We’ve had two younger lads in a back four in a team that is struggling on performance levels. I probably would have liked to have seen them protected more by a Tatsuki Seko and Ben Pearson midfield. But if you make a mistake, get on with it, make sure it doesn’t happen again. Things happen and you respond positively. Show us what you’ve got against Portsmouth.

Do you agree with Pej? Click HERE to join the debate

We have launched a new WhatsApp group to deliver the latest Stoke news directly to your phone. Click the link select 'Join Chat' and you'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 'Exit Group', simple as that.

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.

Our dedicated reporter Pete Smith - who you can follow on X - follows Stoke home and away and offers you comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything that happens in between.

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