Ben Wilmot says the Stoke City squad remains confident despite a 3-2 home defeat to Middlesbrough last weekend. The defender, who scored in the midweek Carabao Cup win at Bolton, stressed that the group's belief is intact as they prepare for a Championship trip to Derby County.
Wilmot made his comments after a dramatic match at the bet365 Stadium. Stoke had fought back from a goal down to lead 2-1, only to concede twice late on. "We're still feeling confident," the 26-year-old said.
The result leaves Stoke eighth in the Championship table with 16 points from 10 games. Their recent form shows three wins, a draw and a loss from their last five league outings, a sequence that includes victories over Sheffield United and Watford.
Wilmot pointed to the team's attacking output as a reason for optimism. Stoke have scored 17 goals this season, with Ethan Galbraith leading the way with three. The defender himself netted in the 2-1 cup victory at Bolton, a result that demonstrated the squad's resilience.
The immediate focus now shifts to Pride Park. Stoke's next fixture is away to Derby on Saturday, a chance to respond quickly. The last meeting between the sides in April ended in a 2-0 win for the Rams. A look at the current standings shows Stoke are seven points off the top but firmly in the early-season mix.
The original report is at bbc.co.uk
