Mark Robins has issued a direct challenge to his Stoke City squad, declaring he wants to find out "who is prepared to run through brick walls" as the Championship club navigates a demanding period that includes fresh signings and the departure of Sorba Thomas.

A defining moment for the dressing room

Speaking on Radio Stoke, Robins was characteristically blunt in his assessment of where Stoke stand. With new faces having arrived at the club and at least one established name, Thomas, no longer part of his plans, the Stoke manager made clear he regards this as a moment of genuine reckoning for the group.

"Let's see who is prepared to run through brick walls," Robins is reported to have said, according to the BBC broadcast. The language is forceful, and the timing deliberate. Stoke have endured a patchy run of results, and the manager appears determined to use the latest squad changes as an opportunity to reset standards rather than simply shuffle personnel.

The sentiment echoes the kind of frank assessment Robins has offered before. He has been vocal in recent weeks about errors proving costly, and supporters will recognise the tone: he is demanding more than ability from those pulling on the shirt.

Moving on from Sorba Thomas

The question of how Stoke move forward without Thomas is one supporters will be watching closely. The winger had been a creative outlet for the club, and his absence, whatever the circumstances behind it, creates a gap that the new arrivals will be expected to fill.

Robins addressed the situation directly in the Radio Stoke interview, though precise detail on the nature of Thomas's exit was limited in the broadcast summary. What is clear is that the manager regards it as a closed chapter, with his focus firmly on the players now available to him and on identifying which of them can be relied upon when matches become physically and mentally demanding.

New signings to be assessed

The arrivals of new players ahead of the deadline gives Robins fresh options to work with, and he touched on their integration into the squad. In the Championship, the calibre and fitness of players brought in during a window can reshape a club's season within weeks, and Stoke will be hoping the additions provide both competition for places and an immediate lift in quality.

Robins has historically been meticulous about the type of character he wants alongside the technical profile, and the "brick walls" comment suggests that mentality remains the first filter. Championship football, with its relentless schedule and physical demands, tends to expose those who cannot match application to talent.

The bigger picture for Stoke

Stoke have had moments of promise this season alongside frustrating performances, and the manager is well aware that the second tier offers little margin for drift. The club's recent defeat at Southampton added to the sense that there is still significant work to do, but Robins appears energised rather than deflated by the challenge in front of him.

For the supporters who pack out the bet365 Stadium, the key question is whether this reset in personnel and mindset translates into points. Robins, for his part, has made his demands clear: he is not interested in passengers, and September will be a telling month for those making up the current Stoke squad.

Frequently asked

What did Mark Robins say about Stoke City's new signings?
According to a Radio Stoke interview, Robins welcomed the new arrivals and indicated he is using the window activity as a chance to identify which players in his squad are truly committed, challenging them to show they are prepared to give everything for the club.
Why is Sorba Thomas no longer at Stoke City?
Robins confirmed in a BBC Radio Stoke interview that Stoke are moving forward without Sorba Thomas, though the precise details of his departure were not set out in the broadcast summary available.
How are Stoke City doing in the Championship this season?
Stoke's season has been inconsistent, with some positive results mixed with costly errors and defeats, including a recent loss at Southampton. Manager Mark Robins is working to improve the club's consistency in the second tier.