Sources: Mark Robins sack update emerges amid Stoke City ‘crisis’
Mark Robins is facing ongoing calls for his head at Stoke City after what has been a disastrous run of form following their strong start to the season.
A 2-2 draw against Leicester at home last time out means the Potters have now won just three of their last 16 league games and have plummeted down the table.
They now sit 15th in the Championship, just two points above Sheffield United who are strong favourites to win their game in hand against Sheffield Wednesday.
Six points now separate Stoke from sixth place, an achievable total to overcome, but their hopes of promotion have been dealt a significant blow.
However, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, Robins is still unlikely to be sacked in the near future.
Mark Robins sack update emerges at Stoke
Stoke are keen to stick with Robins for now and believe he can still be the man to guide them up the table as one of the best managers in the division.
A major injury crisis, with as many as nine players, including the likes of Viktor Johansson, Junior Tchamadeu and Divin Mubama among them.
That, combined with their league position not necessarily representing their proximity to the playoff places, hint the manager may not be at major fault after all.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “I don’t think there will be that much pressure on Robins’ position. I think he’s done a really good job at Stoke.
“He’s probably one of the best managers in the Championship. Obviously it’s been disappointing, the recent form, but I think there’s extenuating circumstances for that form as well.
“They’ve had a real unprecedented injury crisis. So many key players have been missing for them and that has cost them dearly in recent weeks.
“They’ve won three, drawn five and lost eight of their last 16 games, so that has seen their early-season promise fade, but they’re only six points off the playoffs.
“If they can recapture that early-season form, they can definitely get themselves back in that playoff picture.
“The injuries and the loss of form has really hurt them and I think the biggest problem is the lack of goals. They’ve had 13 blanks in the Championship which has effected their season.
“Robins still has a lot of credit in the bank that he is still the right man for the job and as I said for me still one of the best managers in the Championship.”
Who will be the next Championship manager sacked?
Football Insider first revealed on 20 February that Robins is not under immediate pressure at Stoke and they hope to stick with the boss as things stand.
As a result, a number of other managers will come into contention when assessing who is most likely to face the sack next, with pressure building.
West Brom’s Eric Ramsay remains under intense pressure after a difficult start following his appointment, and they suffered another defeat to Coventry last time out.
Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen is also among the favourites, although his position is difficult given the behind-the-scenes situation at Hillsborough.
Birmingham City’s Chris Davies remains an outsider, although a 2-1 win against Norwich has catapulted his side just one point away from the playoff places and eased pressure.
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