Ryan Shawcross delivers Mark Robins verdict and reveals why new Stoke City boss wasn't at Turf Moor
Ryan Shawcross says Stoke City are in good hands as he hands over the reins to Mark Robins.
Shawcross has overseen a quickfire double-header against promotion chasers Sunderland and Burnley since taking caretaker charge at the weekend, coming away with four points thanks to a hard-fought draw at wet and windy Turf Moor.
He will return to lead Stoke’s under-21s now, with Robins coming in with assistants Paul Nevin and James Rowberry to make their debut at the bet365 Stadium against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday (12.30pm). A crowd already swelled by a cut-price ticket offer is expected to get a further boost as Robins takes his place in the home dug out.
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Shawcross said in his post-match press conference at Burnley: "He's a good manager, experienced. I know one of his assistants and we're in good hands. I'll wish him the best and hopefully we can pick up three points against Plymouth and start looking up rather than down. I think it's a savvy appointment, a safe pair of hands with an understanding of the league and hopefully he can get us going up the table."
Robins stayed back at Clayton Wood making preparations on New Year’s Day, having arrived back at the training ground at 7.30am to work through the day.
He left Shawcross and coaches Alex Morris and Dean Whitehead in charge at Burnley and is expected to have a de-brief on Thursday.
Shawcross said: "I was concentrating massively on the game and didn't want to get distracted. He was concentrating on the Plymouth game. They've been at the training ground today sorting out the plans for training and the Plymouth game. I'm sure I'll speak to him tomorrow.
"I've got a really good relationship with his assistant James Rowberry, I get on with him and I've known him for years. I spoke to him last night. The manager has a million things to do - I've realised that over the last few days - and it'll probably be last on his list to speak to me! He needs to concentrate on the Plymouth game."
Shawcross has relished his mini-spell in charge and is pleased with the reaction he has received from players.
He said: "I spoke to the lads after and talked about saying before the Sunderland game how they had to make sure they were proud when they walked off the pitch. Well, I was really proud of them today when they walked off the pitch, their desire, application and work rate. Burnley are a really good team and they showed that in the first half but second half I thought we were probably stronger, came into the game. I thought we were slightly passive first half so I changed that and when Gally came on it was a different mindset. We probably should have won it at the end - and then probably should have lost it.
"It was an exciting game, I enjoyed watching it, I enjoyed being a part of it. I enjoyed pitting myself against Scott Parker, who is a really good manager. It's a great point, a great four points from the last two games."
