Former Stoke City midfielder Geoff Cameron has heavily criticised Paul Lambert's time as manager, calling it an 'absolute disaster'. Cameron made the comments in an interview with The Sentinel this week, reflecting on his six-year spell with the Potters. The American also discussed his friendship with former teammate Jon Walters and the club's signings from Major League Soccer. Stoke's current situation is stark, sitting 22nd in the Championship with just three points from four games and a goal difference of minus five after scoring four and conceding nine. They are seven points behind early leaders Swansea City.
Geoff Cameron did not hold back in his assessment of Paul Lambert's brief stint as Stoke City boss in 2018. 'Paul Lambert was an absolute disaster,' Cameron told The Sentinel. The manager arrived in January with the club in a relegation battle but could not prevent their drop from the Premier League after just ten games in charge. Cameron suggested the atmosphere and approach under Lambert were detrimental, contrasting it with more successful periods under other managers.
The two players became friends while on international duty with the United States and Republic of Ireland respectively. According to Cameron, Walters provided a strong recommendation to the Stoke hierarchy, which helped convince the club to sign him from Houston Dynamo. Walters had already been at Stoke for five years and was a trusted figure.
In the interview, Cameron discussed two specific signings from Major League Soccer that succeeded at Stoke City. He named himself and defender Geoff Cameron as examples of players who adapted well to English football after moving from the US league. The other was Brek Shea, a winger signed from FC Dallas in 2013. While Shea's time at Stoke was less impactful, making only a handful of appearances, Cameron's point highlighted a recruitment strategy that occasionally paid off. The club's current standings position shows the ongoing challenge of building a competitive squad.
The context for these historical reflections is a difficult start to the 2026-27 season for Stoke City. They have one win and three losses from their opening four matches, leaving them in the relegation zone. Their next match is a important away fixture against Cardiff City, who are 19th, on September 8. This Championship derby offers a chance to climb the table and build momentum. Fans can track the team's progress through our fixtures list. The need for positive results is urgent to avoid another season of struggle.
Stoke City travel to face Cardiff City at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
