Verdict from inside Stoke City changing room on fight for places, stability and season targets
The starting gun has been fired to fight for a place in the Stoke City starting XI for the opening match, says Lynden Gooch.
Stoke players were put through their paces by the fitness coaches in the first two or three weeks of pre-season but now focus is shifting to Steven Schumacher’s plans for a curtain raiser against Coventry City on August 10.
This afternoon’s friendly at Stockport County (2pm) is the fourth of six warm-up games, with the squad now getting 60-minute run outs and a bigger chance to make their case that they should get a shirt in a fortnight’s time.
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And there is a sense of competition within the changing room, which has welcomed three new signings so far this summer compared to the 18 which eventually were thrown together 12 months ago.
Gooch said: “It always comes around really fast once you’re back from a pre-season trip. Now it’s about trying to compete for a place in the team come the first day of the season.”
He added: “I wasn’t here for last pre-season and it was a bit hectic, so it’s nice to ha
Preston North End are hoping to conclude some transfer business by the close of the week.
Scott Wright was another linked, but despite reports of an enquiry, he’s not joining from Rangers. He’s got a series of Championship clubs to choose from with Sheffield Wednesday supposedly in the driving seat.
As we’re less than two weeks away from the start of the Championship season, squads are beginning to take shape. EURO 2024 has meant a delay on some transfer business, as Premier League clubs give their fringe players opportunities in pre-season.
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