Stoke City play host to Norwich City on Saturday afternoon with head coach Narcis Pelach being reunited with his former club.

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On the back of successive defeats to Hull City and Middlesbrough, Pelach would have had concerns regarding how his Stoke side may progress under his guidance.

However, the goal glut against Portsmouth came at the right time for the Spaniard as he bids to win over a fanbase still frustrated after the exit of Steven Schumacher.

The six-goal showing versus Pompey saw Stoke improve on a run of five defeats in six league outings, before they were held to a goalless draw at Swansea City.

Although Pelach would have naturally preferred to post maximum points in South Wales, a first clean sheet in five Championship games was welcomed with open arms.

Sitting just six points adrift of the playoffs, there is an opportunity for Pelach to kick-start a playoff bid, rather than being situated closer to the relegation zone.

In the four games since Pelach left Norwich for the Potteries, his former side have seemingly taken off the handbrake in the final third.

Twelve goals have been scored in games against Watford, Derby County, Leeds United and Hull City, 10 points also being accumulated in the process.

While that improvement cannot be associated with Pelach's departure, head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup will be delighted with how his players have responded to the upheaval on the backroom staff.

Norwich have now lost just once in eight league matches, the East Anglian outfit sitting four points adrift of leaders Sunderland albeit with just four strikes coming in as many away encounters.

player absent

stoke city

20 (Center) Sam Gallagher

4 (midfielder) Pearson

2 (left winger) Gucci

18 (Central Defender) Bosson Laval

norwich

10 (Center) Ashley Barnes

25 (left winger) Onel Hernandez

16 (right winger) Fassnacht

1 (goalkeeper) Gunn

19 (midfielder) Jacob Sorensen

26 (Central Midfielder) Marcelino Nunes

8 (Central Midfielder) Liam Gibbs

possible starting lineup: