"An experienced head" - Stoke City needs pinpointed amid recent Mark Robins, Steve Cooper updates | OneFootball

FLW's Stoke City fan pundit has outlined his number one choice to take over from Narcis Pelach.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Stoke City are in search of a new manager after sacking Narcis Pelach this week.

After a number of tried-and-tested managers were unsuccessful at the bet365 Stadium, Stoke went for a different approach with the appointment of Pelach, but the inexperienced 36-year-old was unable to change the club's fortunes, and they are now in search of a new manager in the dugout.

Alan Nixon has reported via his Patreon that the Potters are ready to put the feelers out for an experienced manager like Steve Cooper, while ex-Preston North End boss Ryan Lowe is also in the frame as they look to put a number of poor appointments behind them.

According to John Percy of The Telegraph, Mark Robins and David Wagner are two others in the frame, while talk of Cooper and Lee Carsley has been played down. It will be the third manager of the season for Stoke, with Pelach replacing Steve Schumacher and Ryan Shawcross only in takeover charge for the time being.

The verdict on Stoke's managerial search

Football League World asked our Stoke fan pundit Sam Harrison for his thoughts on the situation and which candidate is his favourite at this moment in time and why.

"So, in terms of a number one target for Stoke, I think it factors down to what Stoke's approach is.

"Are they looking for a head coach, like Schumacher and Pelach were? Are they looking for a manager, like in the long-term or short-term? What are they going for?

"I think, at the end of the day, what Stoke need — it kind of speaks for itself with an experienced head — which is obviously nice and easy to say now.

"Pelach came in with less experience and wasn't able to work his magic. But I think, with everything that has happened at the moment, it's a little bit messy at the club.

"It just needs something to balance it, because we've got some real quality players. Some that you don't want to see go elsewhere and do fantastically well.

"We want to get the best out of them. So, right now, I want to go for someone who's not in contention. My personal target would therefore have been Steve Cooper.

"He's available, and although money-wise it would have been a big factor, but you look at his career as a manager? It's fantastic.

"It didn't work in the Premier League with Forest, but you look at what he did with Forest, and likewise at Swansea as well. You look at it and he's one who could definitely steady the ship.

"It's one where we're looking at it as Stoke fans and, well, we are halfway through the season, and if he can steady the ship, or another experienced head can, then Stoke push for a top half finish? You'd take that any day of the week.

"It would be a much better second half to the season for Stoke, but with him not being in contention, and likewise with Carsley, then you obviously look at who else has been linked.

"Mark Robins and David Wagner, and you've got Ryan Lowe as well. I think Lowe... it's tough. He plays a three-at-the-back as well.

"But you look at him and he would probably bring that passion back into the side. It's just one where, if the style is not working, then sometimes it goes a little bit too toxic.

"Obviously, managers and head coaches will not want to really change their style, because they believe it's the right one. So, I'm not 100% on whether he would be the best fit."

The Stoke view of Mark Robins

Given his view of Lowe and Cooper, Sam explained his favourite for the role: "With that, then, I would say Robins is probably the best option.

"The key with him is the steadiness and the constant that he brought to Coventry and I think that's what Stoke need. You're looking up and not down the table.

"The only thing with him is that he was with Coventry so long that he was in his comfort and he knew the players and everything about them.

"With a new place, obviously, where he has to work his magic again? Will that be a factor that gets in the way? I'm not too sure.

"But an experienced head and he knows the Championship inside and out. He knows how to approach games and maybe Stoke fans will feel a bit more comfortable under him, knowing he knows exactly what the Championship is like.