Stoke City’s Phillips Observes Growing Team Cohesion Under Pelach

Ashley Phillips, a teenage defender on loan from Spurs, who has featured in Stoke City’s last three matches, has stated that the “improving” Potters are beginning to genuinely “feel like a team” with Narcis Pelach as their new manager. The Potters secured a victory against Derby County on Saturday, marking only their second win since Pelach assumed leadership in September. Despite this, Stoke’s position in the Championship table remains persistently near the bottom, currently in their familiar 16th place. Nevertheless, Phillips, the young on-loan Tottenham Hotspur centre-back, expresses optimism for future success. “It was a big three points,” Phillips informed BBC Radio Stoke, adding, “And it’s been coming for a while.” He continued, “Every game we’re improving. Even at Southampton (where Stoke lost 3-2 last week in the Carabao Cup) there were positive signs – and we just felt Saturday was a really big day for us.” Phillips also noted, “There’s a lot more togetherness and structure in the group. From where we were a month ago, you can tell the big step-up we’ve had.” He concluded, “You can see that on the pitch too. We look more like a team now,” ahead of Wednesday’s scheduled trip to Ewood Park to play his former club, Blackburn Rovers. At only 19 years old, Phillips possesses considerable experience in the Championship, having commenced his senior career two seasons prior with Blackburn. His performance for Rovers led to a transfer to Spurs in the summer of 2023 on a five-year contract, followed by loan spells with Plymouth Argyle in January of last season and then with former Stoke manager Steven Schumacher’s team in August. Despite facing a concussion injury early in his tenure at Stoke and subsequently navigating the Potters’ unexpected managerial change, Phillips reports feeling content and settled, particularly under Pelach’s guidance. “I was born in Manchester, which is just up the road,” Phillips explained. “When I was at Plymouth, I was on the other side of the country, which was difficult.” He added, “But here I feel a lot more comfortable – and I’ve settled in really quickly. The concussion put me out for a few weeks which was frustrating. But I’ve done three 90s on the bounce now so I’m feeling a lot better.” Phillips also shared his personal achievements: “One of my goals was to score, which I did at Southampton. That was my first professional goal – and I’m looking to get more. But the other goal for me is keeping clean sheets and I’ve got two so far.” He concluded by praising the current atmosphere: “There’s a really great feeling about the place – and that’s down to the gaffer and the coaching staff. For me, he’s a great gaffer. I’ve learnt a lot from him already.” Ashley Phillips’ comments were made to BBC Radio Stoke sports editor Matt Sandoz. Phillips scored his first goal for Stoke City with his Carabao Cup strike against Southampton last week.