Stoke City are in the FA Cup fourth round thanks to Niall Ennis’s extra-time winner at a half-full Stadium of Light. Here are the talking points from Sunderland.

Stoke show spirit to find a way to win

Stoke wins away in the FA Cup at a team who are in a higher league placing are incredibly rare and this was a reward for the supporters who have gone from Carlisle to Southampton and Middlesbrough in the cups already this season.

READ MORE: Stoke City player ratings vs Sunderland as Niall Ennis finds magic moment

READ MORE: Mark Robins drops major transfer hint as he confirms Stoke City talks

Mark Robins is still learning about the squad he has taken on and this performance will shows him it is young and imperfect but willing and mouldable. This challenge won’t be easily solved but it can be fun along the way.

Making the FA Cup work again

This wasn’t a dream tie for either of these clubs but it always seemed like it should be a good contest. It was two young squads who’ve beaten each other in the last few weeks. It was a shame that it was played out with two empty stands and that gave it a friendly feel rather than the kind of cut and thrust, blood and thunder battle that is associated with the FA Cup.

Stoke dug in for an excellent win but the empty seats didn’t escape Mark Robins, a winner of this competition as a player and having reached the semi-finals last year with Coventry.

He said: “It's really sad. Is it because we've changed the start, starting on Thursdays? It's always been a Saturday and Sunday, always has been. Is it that which has caused consternation? Is it other factors? The weather? The cost of things is really biting?

"It's a worry because it's the best cup competition in the world and everyone has to take responsibility. You've got to try to play your best side, try to get through. But people prioritise things and it starts to change and if that's seeping down into the Championship, that's really sad.

"Everybody wants to get promoted to the Premier League. Everybody. But you've got to try to do it right by the club, by everyone, the FA, the EFL, right by the supporters. Every club has a responsibility.”

He added: “We've got that responsibility and we've got to take it really seriously. I've been in a position when I've not been able to play my strongest team because of when a game falls or when the next game is or what's come before or immediately afterwards. You have to try to avoid injuries to key players because that can derail your season. It'll also mean you lose your job!

“You have a lot of considerations to make and it's not just about giving players a chance. It's about making sure you have the strongest available squad, strongest available team to be able to do this competition justice."

Robins wants to be able to change game from bench, not just look after players

Niall Ennis had a moment at the start of extra-time when he might have stolen the headlines and, in a match of a few big chances, it seemed like his might have come and gone.

But he kept working and it was super play to nick the ball off Dan Neil, beat the keeper and slot in the winner.

Fellow sub Emre Tezgel impressed the new manager too but subs should be made to try to win a game, not just to look after players.

Robins said: “(I’m pleased for Ennis for his goal) and the fact the game was how it was.

"At the moment I'm having to make changes for physical reasons rather than tactical reasons and that doesn't necessarily help anyone. That's a negative but it will turn into a positive.

"Emre Tezgel came on and did really well. I thought he got hold of the ball really well and brought people into the game ok. I think (fellow sub) Junho gets into really good positions but then we can give the ball away needlessly, it's careless stuff really - you just have to take a little bit more time, more care - but again, good positions. Junho gets into a good position in the inside of the pitch and tries to get a shot away but he's shooting through bodies. That's when he might reverse it, he might find a pass. But he's tried all of them. He's come inside and he's trying to find a pass for a runner going through on the opposite side and their defenders steps up and they break.

"It was just things that were a little bit frustrating.

"Sol Sidibe came on and played three or four positions today trying to find a place where he, on this pitch today, could find a position where he could help the team to be successful. Centrally wasn't working out, higher up the pitch didn't work out, on the right side a little bit better. Andy Moran coming inside to cover in those spaces along with Burger and Baker.. then Burger gets injured and we have to shuffle the pack again.

"You're limited to what you can do in terms of trying to win the game but I was pleased with Tezgel when he came on. I thought he did a really good job for us."

Stoke’s wide options

Bae Junho dropping to the bench, with Million Manhoef already in the treatment room, highlighted the fragility of Robins’ options on the wing – and Stoke don’t really have a traditional bye-line hugging winger in the senior squad.

Stoke’s hand is limited in the transfer market this month because of profitability and sustainability rules but there will be scope for two or three deals and they’ll have to prioritise. They have to be open to any opportunity to improve every position but it is impossible to do it all at once.

Robins has brought up chance creation a few times in his early interviews and a new winger, whether on loan or as a bargain transfer, would seem like a safe bet to be high on the list of deals wanted over the next week or three.

Your verdict? Click HERE to have your say