Sky Sports EFL pundit Don Goodman believes Mark Robins’ Stoke City side has been plagued by bad luck in their fight to escape relegation danger.
Stoke City’s battle to avoid relegation is being hampered by bad luck and unfortunate circumstances, according to EFL pundit Don Goodman.
Mark Robins’ side sits just one point above the drop zone in 20th place, with eight matches remaining. Their recent form has been concerning, with only two wins in their last seven outings, putting them in a precarious position. The Potters face crucial clashes against fellow strugglers Luton Town, Cardiff City, and Derby County, with their survival likely hinging on these results.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Essential EFL podcast, former Sunderland striker Goodman pointed out how Stoke has suffered from key moments going against them.
“Fate seems to be conspiring against them,” Goodman said. “They conceded in the 97th minute at Coventry, and it turns out Haji Wright was offside. That’s just bad luck. Then they beat Blackburn, but against Millwall, they concede a 94th-minute penalty that never should have been given.”
Meanwhile, Derby County has emerged as the form team among the relegation-threatened sides, winning their last three matches under new manager John Eustace.
“I thought Derby were doomed,” Goodman admitted. “John went in, lost the first three games without scoring, and probably thought he was heading for League One. But now, they’ve completely turned things around.”
The race to avoid relegation remains wide open, with teams like Cardiff, Oxford, and Hull also battling inconsistency. As the season nears its end, every point will be crucial in determining who stays up and who drops to League One.
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