Pundit says Stoke City’s move was ‘perfectly timed’

Stoke City control their own destiny with four games left in the season.

Stoke City have hit top form at just the right time, according to Championship pundit Ali Maxwell, who praised the club’s “very, very good timing” in finding consistency during a crucial stretch of the season.

The Potters have collected 11 points from their last six games, securing wins against Blackburn, QPR, and Cardiff, along with draws against Preston and Luton. This run has pushed them five points clear of the relegation zone with only four matches remaining. Despite the disappointment of conceding a late equaliser against Luton, Stoke responded strongly with a vital win in South Wales—arguably their biggest of the season. That response, combined with steady performances, has kept their survival hopes firmly in their own hands.

Maxwell, speaking on the *Not The Top 20* podcast, emphasized Stoke’s timely form:
“After that injury-time equaliser against Luton, they bounced back well. Three wins in six games, 11 points – it’s very, very good timing. That five-point cushion and having three teams below them is massive heading into the final stretch.”

Meanwhile, Cardiff City, who are just above the drop zone, are under mounting pressure. Since a win over Derby in late January, their form has dipped with losses to Portsmouth, Luton, and Stoke, and just a single win against Hull.

Cardiff’s next matches could decide their fate. They travel to Sheffield United on Friday before a potentially season-defining home clash against Oxford on Monday. Co-host George Elek added:
“For Cardiff, it’s desperate times. Fans are understandably nervous, wondering where points will come from. The Oxford game is circled as their best shot at a win. But even the Sheffield United match, which once looked hopeless, now feels like a chance, especially with how United have struggled recently.”

He also noted that Cardiff’s recent form—winless in their last four—is worrying.
“That 2-1 win over Blackburn looked like a turning point, but it’s been followed by three draws and a damaging loss to Stoke. Against a direct rival, that’s a match you can’t afford to lose.”