Eric Bocat’s role in Stoke City reinvention and the key relationship

Mike Pejic writes that Stoke City's switch to a back three under manager Mark Robins has maximized the strengths of wing-back Eric Bocat. Pejic emphasizes that Bocat's offensive and defensive success depends heavily on the relationship with left-sided center-half Luke Graham, who must be competent at stepping out to cover space behind him.

Pejic also highlights Stoke's central spine, arguing that Djibril Soumare's presence as a sitting midfielder frees Ethan Galbraith to operate all over the pitch. He notes that Robins has successfully rotated his forward setups to suit specific opponents, including pairing George Hirst with Sam Gallagher against Charlton and fielding Lamine Cisse as a sole striker at Watford.