Congratulations to Lewis Baker as he hits his Stoke City century but Mark Robins picks out what should still be to come back into his game.
Lewis Baker will go into his 100th appearance for Stoke City today – and the 300th of his senior career – with his manager knowing he has the talent to seriously impact matches and trying to find a way to get him doing on a more regular basis.
Baker probably thought he had played his final match for Stoke at the start of this season when he signed on loan for Blackburn Rovers in a deal that was expected to run until May, when his contract at the bet365 Stadium runs out.
But the 29-year-old was recalled by Mark Robins in January and has since been a feature in the team when he’s been available, tasked with adding a creative touch to a side that has been struggling for goals.
He got back on the scoresheet last weekend from the penalty spot in the FA Cup against Cardiff – and has an impressive 21 from midfield in his 99 outings so far – but there is still more to get out of him yet in his second coming.
Robins, whose side takes on Swansea at home at 3pm, said: “Lewis has everything in his locker in terms of being a really, really top player. Lewis, at 29 years of age, is more mature, he’s got goals in him, he’s good delivery in him, he can see a pass, he’s got everything there.
“Sometimes he just switches off, for whatever reason his concentration dips and that’s when performances sort of dip. I noticed that in him the other night where he’s sort of not quite the Lewis we know and want to see on every occasion we see him play.
“That’s something that’s a challenge for all of us to try to resolve and try to get more out of him on a regular basis but I think with Lewis, fundamentally, he’s a really, really good player.”
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