Stoke City boss Mark Robins shared his thoughts after a 3-1 defeat to Middlesbrough.
Stoke City boss Mark Robins was left fuming after his side’s 3-1 defeat to Middlesbrough, insisting Boro were “there for the taking.”
Despite coming into the match on the back of five straight losses, Middlesbrough secured a crucial victory with goals from Marcus Forss, Finn Azaz, and Tommy Conway. The win lifted them to 11th place, just four points shy of the play-off spots with 12 games remaining. It also marked Michael Carrick’s first managerial victory over Robins in seven attempts.
Robins pinpointed his team’s shortcomings, particularly in physical battles. “The second half was frustrating after we got back into the game,” he said. “We needed to show more aggression, but there was naivety in our play. You have to win the fight and the duels—we didn’t do that and got what we deserved.”
He highlighted the key area where his side fell short: “They won 27 duels to our 15, even with more possession. We lost the important ones in midfield, conceded chances, and they punished us.”
Robins didn’t hold back in his assessment, emphasizing that Middlesbrough’s recent struggles should have been an opportunity for his team. “They were there for the taking. They’re lacking confidence and were absolutely delighted to be playing Stoke tonight. I’m fuming. We need better performances and, in time, better players.”
The defeat added to a difficult period for Robins, who is trying to steer Stoke away from relegation fears. The bet365 Stadium had a tense atmosphere, with the team’s inconsistent form feeding into early mistakes that allowed Boro to take control. After fighting back, Stoke collapsed in the second half, conceding two soft goals.
Robins acknowledged the frustration among fans but urged for understanding. “Supporters are fed up, and I get it. They’ve had enough over the last seven years. But young players are dealing with a tough environment, and some are struggling with it.”
He also pointed to poor decision-making as a key issue: “We made naive choices, missed duels and tackles, and it cost us. When you miss those, you’re out of position, and they overload the back post. They executed their game plan well, crowding the midfield and punishing us.”
With time running out in the season, Robins faces an uphill battle to turn things around and lift Stoke away from the drop zone.
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