Mark Robins has described his Stoke City side as "almost really good" while admitting that a string of self-inflicted errors have cost them dearly in an opening three games that have left the Potters rooted to the bottom of the Championship table.

Stoke have lost all three of their opening league fixtures: a 2-1 home defeat to Swansea on the opening day, a 3-1 reverse at Southampton, and now a 4-1 hammering at Wolves. It is the first time the club have started a season with three consecutive league defeats since 2010-11, and Robins is under no illusions about the damage being done.

Costly mistakes, not a lack of quality

"We're authors of our own downfall for the second week running," Robins told BBC Radio Stoke. "Seven goals in two away games. We've conceded goals for fun. We've killed ourselves, giving the ball away too cheaply. We're not winning those balls in the right areas. We've missed tackles and we've missed easy chances. And we've capitulated."

What makes the position especially frustrating for the Stoke boss is that there are genuine signs of quality in his squad. The issue is not a lack of ability, he argues, but an inability to sustain concentration and composure through an entire ninety minutes.

"We look a decent side when we do the right things," he said. "We're almost really good, but we're just not very good in certain moments."

It is a distinction worth taking seriously. Stoke have, by Robins' own account, dominated periods of all three matches they have lost. Conceding eleven goals in three games, however, tells a story no amount of positive possession can paper over. The defensive shape and individual errors are the most pressing area of concern.

Window pressure and squad movement

The timing of this slump adds another layer of complexity. The August transfer window closes imminently, and Robins has been frank about the need for both further additions and departures before the deadline. Wales winger Sorba Thomas has reportedly attracted interest from Hull City, and the manager acknowledged that movement in and out of the building is required.

"The owners have been absolutely magnificent," Robins said. "He's spent a lot of money, not just in this window but over time. We need more. But people also have to move out. Let's see what happens."

The Coates family have already sanctioned significant expenditure this summer, with recent arrivals including Ben Johnson on a season-long loan and George Hirst on a permanent deal, so Robins is clearly working within real constraints. He is not criticising the backing he has received; he is signalling that the squad, as currently constituted, needs further refinement.

A crucial week ahead

Robins described the coming 72 hours as "big," and it is not difficult to see why. Stoke face Norwich City at home on Tuesday before hosting Charlton Athletic next Saturday. The timing of two successive home fixtures, at a point when the squad may yet be reshaped by window activity, makes this a genuinely pivotal period.

Charlton arrive under the management of Nathan Jones, a former Stoke boss, and are currently top of the Championship after three wins from three: the precise opposite of what Stoke have managed. It is exactly the kind of fixture that can define an early-season narrative.

The 2010-11 comparison, raised to illustrate that poor starts can be recovered, only goes so far. That was a Premier League season; this is the Championship, where the margins are tighter and the table compresses quickly. Robins knows that. What the evidence from these opening weeks suggests is that the gap between Stoke looking "almost really good" and actually being good enough is, right now, being filled by mistakes they are making themselves. Cutting those out, before the window shuts and the home games arrive, is the task.

Frequently asked

Why are Stoke City bottom of the Championship?
Stoke have lost all three of their opening Championship fixtures, conceding eleven goals in the process. Manager Mark Robins blames self-inflicted errors, including giving the ball away cheaply and missed tackles, rather than a lack of overall quality in the squad.
What has Mark Robins said about Stoke's transfer window plans?
Robins has said he wants further signings before the August window closes but also needs players to leave first. He praised the Coates family's financial support while acknowledging that squad changes are still needed.
When are Stoke City's next Championship matches?
Stoke host Norwich City on Tuesday before welcoming Charlton Athletic to the Bet365 Stadium the following Saturday. Both are home fixtures that Robins has described as crucial.