Stoke City manager Narcis Pelach has issued a challenge to his standout goalkeeper, Viktor Johansson, following an impressive 2-0 away victory over Blackburn Rovers.
The Swedish shot-stopper delivered a series of key saves at Ewood Park, helping Stoke secure Pelach’s first away win as head coach. However, rather than dwell on the victory, Pelach urged Johansson to remain grounded and continue pushing his performance to new levels.
Johansson’s Form and Pelach’s Demands
The 26-year-old Johansson, who joined Stoke with a reputation for quick reflexes and composure, has been instrumental in the team’s recent results. His crucial stops against Blackburn reinforced his growing status within the squad, and the goalkeeper celebrated the victory with fans in the away end. Despite the win, Pelach was quick to reset his team’s focus, emphasizing that consistency and humility would be essential to maintaining their momentum in the Championship.
“I said after the game, ‘Viktor, it’s a great performance, but I want more. You need to make sure you stay humble because you can grow more, there are more things you can do. Don’t get too high because it’s just a win, just three points.’”
Pelach’s comments reflect his management philosophy of steady, incremental improvement, even when the team achieves success. Acknowledging that Millwall has been one of the Championship’s form teams, Pelach expects Johansson and the rest of the squad to bring their maximum level of intensity and focus to the next match.
Focus on Character and Development
Known for his no-nonsense approach, Pelach is keen on instilling a team culture where each player views every game as an opportunity to improve. He highlighted Johansson’s character as “very honest, very humble, very ambitious” but reminded his players that those qualities must be demonstrated day in, day out. Pelach’s message to Johansson and his teammates was clear: keep a grounded approach, remain determined, and focus on the upcoming challenges.
Following his stellar performance, Johansson’s next test will be against Millwall, a team that has shown resilience and defensive strength.
Writer’s View
Pelach’s handling of Johansson is a mark of a coach committed to both immediate results and long-term development. By encouraging his in-form goalkeeper to remain humble, Pelach is setting a standard for the entire team. With Millwall up next, Pelach’s focus on mentality and consistency could prove vital for Stoke as they navigate the demanding Championship season.
Editor In Chief
