--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-10-23T10:54:32.211Z data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/stoke-city/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc3Rva2VzZW50aW5lbC5jby51ay9zcG9ydC9mb290YmFsbC9mb290YmFsbC1uZXdzL3N0b2tlLWNpdHktY29hY2gtbWF4LXBvcnRlci0xMTE4NDI0Nw --- # New coach Max Porter says 'purposeful possession' is central to Stoke identity - **Source:** - **Club:** Stoke City - **Original URL:** https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-city-coach-max-porter-11184247 New assistant manager Max Porter already understands the importance of having purpose in possession at Stoke City. Porter has seen the Potters really dominate the ball in three of the last four matches to kickstart the season while trying to avoid too much passing going sideways and backwards. They have had around 60 per cent of play against Sheffield United, Watford and Charlton. The coach, who joined Stoke from Arsenal in the summer, wants moves that put attacking statistics on the board – and to complement stunning goals by getting the ball and bodies in at closer range more often. He said: “Early on we saw signs of the team we wanted to be in with the ball and without the ball and I think we’ve shown more of that in the victories we’ve had. We’ve had more possession but also purposeful possession. That’s one of the big things the gaffer wants. I think every Stoke team should have purposeful possession. It has to have an outcome at the end of it, it has to have a threat behind it. I think that’s what we’re building and that’s really important. FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest Stoke City news, analysis and more via the Sentinel “We’ve scored good goals, some have been incredible, but we’d like a few more tap-ins and we’ll work on that. “Seeing the players get rewards for their hard work (is good) but we’re under no illusions, we’ve got to be relentless, we’ve got to keep pushing. We want more. This feeling is the best feeling in football and we want more so keep winning games, keep performing and hopefully that leads to more sustainable success over the season.” Porter arrived at Clayton Wood at the start of pre-season and the squad has since evolved quite extensively, with 10 new signings. He is excited about the balance of the group he can work with now as Stoke prepare for a return to Championship action on Saturday, away at Bolton Wanderers, after a three-week international break. “We’ve got some experienced players who know the level and have won promotions,” he said in an interview for the club website. “We’ve got young players who are hungry. We’ve got players who highly talented. “I think that with the group we’ve put together, and obviously the recruitment side with Jon and Mark and the wider group, we’ve got a really good balance “A massive thing you can say about this group of players is that when it was tough a couple of games ago and we played Norwich you saw what it meant to them and how they celebrated with fans at full-time. It’s easy when it’s going well, it’s easier, but when it’s tough and you have to put your backs against the wall and grind out a result, the passion they showed was incredible. “We’re starting to see improvements on a daily basis with how they’re working, the buy-in they’ve got and everything on and off the pitch. They’re a brilliant group to work with.” What do you think? Click HERE to join the debate Get the best Stoke City news and analysis straight to your Inbox courtesy of The Sentinel! To get it, it's a quick and easy one-two: