Stoke & Staffordshire

Image source, Rex Features

Stoke City head coach Narcis Pelach says his side tried to play the game in a different way to their opponents during their 2-1 Championship loss at Luton.

The Potters boss praised his side for their bravery in possession but admits they were outmuscled by the home team.

"Luton were more physical and bigger than us, but we knew that," Pelach told BBC Radio Stoke.

"We tried to play the game in another way – when we had the ball we played to our style, on the ground.

"You cannot choose how they play - you have to face it because you cannot tell them how you want them to play but when we have the ball we can choose so I was pleased when we had the ball we tried to play our style and be brave on the ball."

Stoke have now lost their past three Championship matches and are without a win in six games as they prepare to host third-bottom Cardiff City on Saturday.

"We were in a good place not long ago and now we have lost three on the spin but we have to be calm and I'm sure with the body language and attitude we have we will improve very soon," added Pelach.

Image source, Rex Features

Stoke City boss Narcis Pelach has warned his side to expect a bit of an aerial battering when they take on fellow strugglers Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday night.

Rob Edwards' Hatters might be struggling to win games back in the Championship this season but, with the twin threat of big strikers Elijah Adebayo and Carlton Morris, they remain a menacing proposition to defend against.

Pelach remembers Luton from his time as number two to Carlos Corberan three seasons ago at Huddersfield, who scraped past the Hatters in the play-offs the season before Luton finally went up to the Premier League.

"We played them four times that season," Pelach told BBC Radio Stoke. "The ball comes in from 70 yards and if it is flicked on, it goes in your box. But, if you win that ball, you might have a chance of a counter attack.

"It is case of making sure you are on it all the time. Any mistake you have to be on your toes, playing with red alarm. That is how it is there and we have to compete.

"You don't play many games in the Championship like this - but you still have to play. They come into the box with long balls. It is going to be more uncontrollable."

After missing Saturday's late defeat at Sunderland, central defender Ben Gibson's return after sickness would be a big plus for the Potters as they attempt to handle Luton's long-ball specialists - but his fitness is still being monitored.

Stoke lost 1-0 at Luton on their last visit to the Kenny in February 2023 under Alex Neil - thanks to a 20-yarder from Pelly Ruddock-Mpanzu.

But a year to the day on from Neil's sacking, such have been the changes in the Potters squad that the only player from the starting line-up that day still at the club is Ben Wilmot - and he was a substitute on Saturday at Sunderland.

"I want to focus on the things we did well at Sunderland," added Pelach, as he bids to end a five-game winless run against a Luton side unbeaten in their past four home games.

"The high press was really good. But what we didn't do well was the game management. We have to try to sort it out for Luton. We need to sort out the defensive issue we are having at the moment."

Stoke City boss Narcis Pelach was talking to BBC Radio Stoke sports editor Matt Sandoz.