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Narcis Pelach answers Stoke City strongest XI question and pencils in Leeds United date
Narcis Pelach believes he has a better idea of what his strongest starting XI for Stoke City might comprise of - but he has reiterated that nothing is set in stone and that every single member of the squad he inherited will be needed over the course of the season.
Pelach has already utilised plenty of the group he took on when succeeding Steven Schumacher as head coach; he has already demonstrated his willingness to count on young players, be they loanees from the Premier League or the club's own players, including Sol Sidibe who started in the 1-1 draw at QPR on Saturday.
Others will soon return; Pelach will finally now be able to call on Lynden Gooch, who has been sidelined for the entirety of his reign until now, while Sam Gallagher will return in the coming weeks. Summer recruit Bosun Lawal, too, is back training next month and remains an unknown quantity for all concerned. The season is intense and, with the international breaks subsiding, the focus is now purely on domestic calendar for the coming months.
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Pelach has a clearer picture of what is at his disposal now having settled into his surroundings at Clayton Wood, but it's by no means a closed shop and while he may depend on a select few players to hold down spots, the challenge is set before those currently on the fringes to make themselves undroppable.
"Yes, I have an idea," he said. "I know the players much more than before, but as well I'm a coach who likes to give starts to players on for their merits. It's something that is important for me. It doesn't mean that your strongest XI must play every game. I don't think that's healthy for the squad and in the long-term I don't think it brings you very far.
"It's about the team, everyone pushing each other, it's about being fair and there are players that grow. Maybe your strongest XI is this, but in the next two months it's players who are growing and growing and then they're pushing to be starters. I will do that change, then, because I don't like or love one player more than another.
"I am open minded and I am ready to change, because the only thing that matters is Stoke City. Work is the only way to get more points. I have an idea, yes, but it's open everyday depending on performances, depending on opponents and depending on how you train as well."
This is the fifth season Pelach has spent in the Championship, having previously held coaching roles at Huddersfield Town and Norwich City prior to branching out on his own as a fully fledged head coach in his own right. While in his native Spain the Christmas period means football temporarily winding down, he is relishing the prospect of the traditional English schedule and is especially looking forward to the Leeds United clash on Boxing Day.
"I'm Spanish, but I always say that I am half British," Pelach added. "I enjoy being here, I love the country, I love the culture and I love the way you see the game. It's very different to Spain, which is one of the best in the world, achieving lots of things in football and with very good coaches and players.
"Me, I have that part of me that enjoys the English and the British culture and the way you see the game - it's very passionate and it suits me a lot. I've had five years in the Championship now, and that means five years of being away from your family at Christmas, because in Spain you stop for that period.
"I like it. I cannot wait for Boxing Day! I just want to be in that game, against Leeds United, in our stadium, which is the best game we could have picked. We are lucky to have this. We are going to play games now at Christmas, and it's exciting for me. I said to the team yesterday, I hope you have the same energy as I have, because I am full of energy for Preston, Burnley and all the exciting games ahead of us."
