Stoke have to improve to match top sides

Stoke City entered the season with the intention of contending for a play-off position, but they must improve their quality significantly to keep up with top-tier sides like Wolves. The 4-1 loss to Wolves on Saturday highlighted the gaps they must bridge - individual mistakes played a major role, while a 4-1 scoreline underscored the depth of work required to compete with the division's elite.

The team scored a great opening goal through Sam Gallagher, but missed chances like Sorba Thomas' potential second goal. However, Stoke has been plagued by recurring problems throughout their three league games thus far - errors at both ends of the pitch, late-game collapses, and struggling substitutes despite occasional competitive stretches.

As the transfer window closes, adding more quality and cutting players who cannot make a significant contribution will be crucial. The club must also focus on preparing for two massive home games in just five days, with the goalposts being accumulating points and demonstrating the ability to perform consistently throughout a full game while learning from past mistakes.

While nobody anticipates Stoke matching Wolves' current squad depth and quality within the next week, they must improve significantly over the coming games to make their ambitious play-off target anything other than a tall order by the conclusion of game five.