Viktor Johansson is proving himself to be Stoke City’s signing of the summer… but the goalkeeper has been told even more is expected of him, despite his already impressive form between the sticks.
Johansson, a summer arrival from Rotherham United, pulled off a couple of excellent saves in Stoke’s draw with Norwich City at the weekend, and head coach Narcis Pelach was quick to praise the Swede post match - with a key proviso.
Also referencing Stoke’s previous match, at Swansea, he said: “Two very good performances from Viktor, in Swansea he played very well as well, so I’m very happy with him, but I want more and I already said to him that if he wants to become the goalkeeper that I think he could be one day, he need to put performances like this together.”
So the message is clear - yes, you are good, Victor - but you could be even better with the right application.
Tough love it might seem from Stoke’s recently installed new boss, but Potters fans are already convinced that Johansson is a cut above their recent goalkeepers at the bet365 Stadium.
He will be in action again this evening when the Potters host Bristol City (7.45pm) looking to improve on their 16th place in the table and close on rivals who are just three points better off in 10th.
And Johansson was centre-stage in a poll of supporters to gauge Stoke’s progress so far this season, with a cool 81% or respondents proclaiming him the summer signing to have impressed them most, way ahead of Sam Gallagher (13%) and defender Ben Gibson and Eric Bocat (both on 3%).
Against Norwich, the Sweden international had been a spectator early on before pulling off a sharp save to keep out Marcelino Nunez from close range. Johansson was then called upon to deny Kenny McLean with another impressive stop.
Not surprisingly, supporters who responded to our poll believed goalkeeper to be the position least in need of attention come the January window with 54% believing it is the strongest area of the team, followed by midfield and the wings (both 16%) and at centre-forward (9%). However, they are concerned by the club’s full-backs with just 1% believing it is the strongest area of Pelach’s team.
As such, 52% of respondents said it was the area of the team that needed strengthening come the January transfer window, well ahead of central defence (20%).
However, for all his heroics in goal, Johansson is not rated as the Potters’ most valuable player - that honour falls to Dutch starlet Million Manhoef (45%), the scorer of Stoke’s equaliser against the Canaries on Saturday.
Next up is South Korea international Bae Junho (32%) with Johansson back by 14% of respondents.
STOKE CITY POLL RESULTS
Which permanent summer signing are you most impressed with so far?
Viktor Johansson - 81%
Ben Gibson - 3%
Eric Bocat - 3%
Sam Gallagher - 13%
Which loan signing are you most impressed with so far?
Lewis Koumas - 57%
Andrew Moran - 18%
Ashley Phillips - 4%
Tom Cannon - 21%
In which position are Stoke strongest?
Goalkeeper - 54%
Full-back - 1%
Centre-back - 4%
Midfielder - 16%
Wing - 16%
Centre-forward - 9%
What position will need attention in the January transfer window?
Goalkeeper - 1%
Full-back - 52%
Centre-back - 20%
Midfielder - 13%
Wing - 3%
Centre-forward - 11%
Who is the most valuable Stoke player?
Bae Junho - 32%
Million Manhoef - 45%
Wouter Burger - 4%
Ben Wilmot - 1%
Viktor Johansson - 14%
Sam Gallagher - 4%
Has the new television deal changed your match-going habits?
Yes, I might watch on TV rather than go sometimes - 40%
No, I’ll still go to games that I would have done before - 60%
Join the debate ... click HERE to rate Johansson
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