Exclusive: Phil Jagielka issues bold Stoke City promotion claim | OneFootball

Stoke City defender Phil Jagielka has claimed that promotion is not an unrealistic target for the Potters this season, speaking exclusively to Football League World via Sky Bet.

Alex Neil’s side are 18th in the Championship after 26 games – four points above the relegation zone and nine back from the top six.

Neil left Sunderland to replace Michael O’Neill in the Stoke dugout back in August but has endured a difficult start to life at the Bet365 Stadium and won just six of his first 20 games in charge.

But such is the congestion of the Championship this term that a winning run in the second half of 2022/23 could put Stoke right back into contention for the top six and, therefore, promotion.

It seems there is still optimism inside the dressing room that can be achieved and having an experienced head like Jagielka around will certainly help.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World via Sky Bet, the 40-year-old issued a bold claim about his side’s aspirations this term.

He said: “I wouldn’t say promotion was unrealistic for Stoke this season, but we need to start winning games quickly and put a run together. We’ve been fortunate enough, with our inconsistency, to still have an outside chance of pushing up the league and potentially getting a playoff spot.

“We’re very aware that games are fast running out, but we need to win back-to-back games, get some momentum and hopefully if we can get a win in the FA Cup this weekend and charge on from there, it can hopefully be a positive end to the season.

“We’re aware that as much we’re quite close to the playoffs, we’re also quite close to what’s behind us and we need to make sure we start winning games sooner rather than later.”

Stoke’s next chance to climb up the Championship table will come against Sheffield United on Saturday 14th January as they take on Hartlepool United in the FA Cup this afternoon.