On the back of successive defeats to two high-profile clubs, Michael O’Neill will not be panicking about the trajectory of his Stoke squad.
However, regardless of the Potters remaining a win away from fourth spot, they have now prevailed in just three of their last nine league games.
Goals are the biggest issue, a record not helped by O’Neill persevering with a system which places far more onus on defence than attack.
While those tactics were good enough to overcome West Bromwich Albion before the international break, there is a feeling that O’Neill needs to be more versatile to get the best out of a talented crop of players.
Tyrese Campbell was the big plus in midweek after making his first outing since a serious knee injury, but the forward will not be rushed into the spotlight after 10 months on the sidelined.Preview:
Millwall vs. Stoke – prediction, team news, lineupsMillwall performed better than their next opponents in their showdown with Sheffield United, the Lions netting a last-minute winner to claim a 2-1 victory at Bramall Lane.
Video Links Stream 1 Stream 2 Stream 3 HD
The East Londoners have now recorded three triumphs in four games, a run of form which has catapulted Gary Rowett’s team into 11th spot.
Like with his former club, Rowett has been left craving more goals from his Milwall side, but they deserve huge credit for conceding just seven times in nine games.
With none of the top six to come until November 24, Rowett will feel that Millwall are capable of moving into the playoff mix by the time that they host leaders Bournemouth
