Mark Robins hopes Stoke City’s dip in form and “unprecedented” injury crisis won’t dampen Potter squad morale.
Since being promoted to second place in the English Championship after 17 games at the end of November, the Potters have achieved 3 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses in the next 15 games.
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Manchester City’s injury list swelled to double figures after Boson Laval limped off with a “serious” muscle injury in Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat at Charlton Athletic, leaving Stoke City in 14th place.
He is in the treatment room with goalkeepers Victor Johnson and Gavin Bazunu, forwards Devine Mbama and Sam Gallagher, midfielder Lewis Baker and right-back Junior Chamadou, with the illness spreading throughout the training camp ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round tie at home to Fulham.
Robins told BBC Radio Stoke: “There were illnesses and serious injuries. It was certainly not an easy moment but it was a challenge I had to face and overcome.
“For me this is unprecedented in my career, I’ve never been in a situation like this before. Every situation has a knock-on effect and it’s difficult to choose your way out.
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“It’s disappointing, it’s demoralizing at times and you might say ‘woe is me’ but that’s the situation we’re in and we have to deal with it and there’s nothing I can do about it. Injuries are inevitable.”
Despite the crisis, Robins said he was still looking forward to the challenge of facing Cottagers, who are 12th in the Premier League.
“It’s a good thing because we have the opportunity to play against Premier League opponents,” he said. “That’s what the cup comes with. You don’t get opportunities like this very often, sometimes it’s pre-season, sometimes not at all.”
Injuries have been particularly hard on attack – Stoke have scored just twice in their last six games and none at all in their last three games.
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Robbins added: “That’s something we have to do better. Sometimes we have shots and we turn them away or are late.
“The whole spirit of this game is to score points. We can forget that sometimes and put the responsibility on other people. Is it a confidence thing? I don’t know.
“We have L-card learners on the front end. They have to stay confident and positive because these times affect your confidence and morale.
“In the case of Milan Smit (who arrived in January), he has been playing in the Europa League and scoring goals, coming here you see it is different and difficult.
“He’s going to be a good player for us, but it’s going to take time.”