‘Never known a situation like this in my career’

Mark Robins hopes Stoke’s decline in form and “unprecedented” injury crisis will not affect the morale in the Potters’ camp.

Since rising to second place in the Championship after 17 games at the end of November, the Potters have won three, drawn four and lost eight of their next 15 games.

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City’s injury list grew to double figures with Bosun Lawal limping off with what Robins called a “significant” muscle injury in Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat at Charlton, which left Stoke 14th.

He joins goalkeepers Viktor Johansson and Gavin Bazunu, forwards Divin Mubama and Sam Gallagher, midfielder Lewis Baker and right-back Junior Tchamadeu among those in the treatment room, while illness has also spread through the camp leading into Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round tie at home to Fulham.

Robins told BBC Radio Stoke: “There’s illness and significant injury. It’s not an easy time, that’s for sure, but it’s a challenge I have to face and wade through.

“For me, this is unprecedented in my career, I have never known a situation like this before. Each one has a knock-on and to pick your way through it is difficult.

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“It’s disappointing, it can be demoralising at times, you can be ‘woe is me,’ but it’s the situation we’re in and we have to deal with it, there’s nothing I can do about it. The injuries were not avoidable.”

Despite the crisis, Robins said he is looking forward to the challenge of facing the Cottagers, who sit 12th in the Premier League.

“It’s a good thing because we have a chance to play Premier League opponents,” he said. “That’s what the Cup throws up. You don’t get that chance very often, sometimes pre-season, sometimes not at all.”

The injuries have been particularly damaging in an attacking sense – Stoke have only scored twice in their past six matches, and not at all in the past three.

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Robins added: “It’s something we have to be better at. There are times when we get opportunities to shoot but we turn it down or take it a fraction late.

“The whole ethos in this game is to score. We may forget that at times and pass responsibility to somebody else. Is that a confidence thing? I don’t know.

“The front end we have learners with the L plates on. They have to stay confident and positive because these times can impact your confidence and morale.

“In the case of (January arrival) Milan Smit, he’s been playing and scoring goals in the Europa League and comes here and you find it different and difficult.

“He’s going to be a good player for us but it’s going to take time.”