Run of results highlight the value of middle man Baker

LOT has changed at Stoke City over the last 12 months but one theme recurring from December 2024 to December 2025 is how much the side is missing Lewis Baker.

- Peter Smith

Lewis Baker has been out injured since the start of November.

Last year, Baker was on loan at Blackburn Rovers in a deal that was due to take him up to the end of his Stoke contract last summer and had thus all-but ended his career at the club. He had been sidelined by Alex Neil and then cast out by Steven Schumacher.

But Mark Robins almost immediately recalled him to the bet365 Stadium and the midfielder had scored 10 times in 31 appearances since then before he was injured in the 32nd. He injured his ankle in a challenge from Coventry forward Brandon Thomas-Asante, who somehow ended up on top of him.

That was on November 8 and so far it has meant another Baker-free December. The subsequent results - four defeats in five - can't all be pinned on that but there are few who can match his knack for scoring. He has a hunger to get a goal that matches his ability.

Robins spoke about that as Stoke prepare for a home match with Swansea (Saturday, 12.30pm) - a fixture which stands out for Baker's input last season.

He said: "It's a drive, he's just got a drive. It was one of the first things I did when I took over in January was to bring him back from Blackburn. It was pivotal in us staying up. He scored against Swansea here from the halfway line. When you look at goals they show that are scored from halfway I don't see it, which is an absolute joke because it was one of the best I've seen.

"He is full of endeavour and full of quality, absolutely great awareness, great vision, great to have around, good energy and somebody who has the drive to push everything on. That's what you miss when he's out of the team.

"He enhances that. I still think we've had some really good performances and Wednesday was one of those."

That Wednesday was a 1-0 loss to Ipswich and the sixth of Stoke’s eight defeats so far this season to have been by a single goal.