POTTERS IN THEIR POMP!

ROBINS CONTRASTS TOUGH WIN WITH LAME EFFORT AT POMPEY LAST SEASON

- Peter Smith

MARK Robins took a moment to appreciate the difference between his first two trips to Portsmouth as Stoke City manager and the progress over nine months.

Robins hailed his team’s character to get a 1-0 win over the line at Fratton Park on Saturday that was chalk and cheese to one of his first games in charge back in January, when the Potters had folded to a 3-1 defeat while in the thick of a battle at the wrong end of the table.

In contrast, this was Stoke's sixth win in their opening 12 games of this season and keeps Robins’ side in the top six.

Sorba Thomas made it happen when his cross was turned in by Hayden Matthews, while his teammates were prepared to dig in and defend their box throughout the second half.

Goalkeeper Viktor Johansson also made a smart save to deny Makenzie Kirk.