Pelach Attributes High Shots Conceded to Defensive Style, Seeks to Ease Johansson’s Burden

Stoke City’s head coach, Narcis Pelach, has stated that the team’s defensive approach is responsible for the high volume of shots they have conceded this season. He also expressed a desire to alleviate the pressure on goalkeeper Viktor Johansson. In the Championship, Stoke ranks second for the average number of shots conceded per game (15.8), with only Plymouth Argyle (17.6) facing more. Pelach indicated that this statistic is partly a consequence of their tactical approach to matches. The Potters’ head coach explained to BBC Radio Stoke, “We defend the space rather than the man and when you do that you allow the opposition to have possession in front of you but theoretically it doesn’t hurry you because you always have 11 men behind the ball.” He further elaborated, “I prefer this because if you press all the time and go man for man they get more one v ones against your goalkeeper.” Pelach also stated, “In the way we defend, we concede more corners than other teams, more shots than others but you always give your goalkeeper a chance to save it.” Consequently, Stoke’s goalkeeper, Viktor Johansson, is among the busiest in the Championship, currently topping the league with a total of 67 saves. Pelach commented, “Viktor is playing really well and that’s why I employed (goalkeeping coach) Paul Clements because the way I coach outfield players relates very well to how he coaches the goalkeepers.” He continued, “Everything we do is connected – when the defensive line is doing one thing, Viktor is doing one thing in the goal. No one sees it but it’s all connected.” “I expect a great season for Viktor and he will have to perform because we concede shots – I want to concede fewer but it takes time and it will go down step by step,” Pelach concluded. Stoke is scheduled to host promotion-contending Burnley in a Championship fixture this Saturday.