Stoke City faced Fleetwood Town, as Stoke secured a win in a penalty shootout and progressed through the next round of the EFL cup.
Stoke dominated the game, and it was thanks to Rhys Bennett’s injury-time goal that pushed the tie into a penalty shootout. Viktor Johansson was the hero of the penalty shootout, but the talk of the town was different again.
The tension of the penalty shootout was somehow balanced by the touchline nostalgia; who would have thought that with rainy, cold nights, Stoke also offered warm reunions?
The time passes swiftly in football, and watching Ryan Shawcross and Charlie Adam against each other was undoubtedly one of the moments where Stoke fans were left pondering about the passage of time.
One user @tyler_tns on X wrote, “Can’t believe these two are facing each other’s as managers. I am certified unc”.
Adam, who is having his first stint as a manager at Fleetwood Town, was prepared for the encounter; he commented in his pre-match conference, “I know people will make the game about my return, but for me, it’s about what my team, can do on the day and I just want us to go there and show that we are a good side.”
Meanwhile, Ryan Shawcross found himself more on the tense side after being hot on the heels of the sacking of Steven Schumacher.
Was Ryan Shawcross v Charlie Adam in opposite technical areas at the bet365 Stadium on your 2024 bingo card?
The teammate bond was yet again reminisced by another X user, @manuelstylez, who highlighted the core of Stoke City that both the managers once shared, “Annoying Stoke City those years, Adam with a wonder goal every time and Shawcross always defending like a cultist.”
Both players were known for their toughness, work ethic, and commitment, often setting the tone for the rest of the team.
Shawcross, as captain, led the defence, while Adam, with his technical skills and vision, contributed to creating chances from midfield.
Shawcross was at Stoke and later captained the team, which saw them play in the FA Cup final and a journey till the round of 32 in the UEFA Europa League.
Shawcross and Adam Rekindle Stoke City’s Annoying Legacy
After one season, Shawcross shared the dressing room with Adams, where the pair shared a bond on and off the pitch.
Under Shawcross and Adam Stoke registered their first victory against Manchester United since 1984 in the 2013-2014 season, and no one could forget the 6-1 thumping of Liverpool where Shawcross provided the famous insight, “We were 5-0 up at half time, and when we went in the dressing room nobody said a word, we just burst out laughing.”
Annoying stoke city those years. Adam with a wonder goal everytime and shawcross always defending like a cultist. 😂 https://t.co/aBHIoq0DWu
Shawcross spent 14 years at Stoke before moving to Inter Miami in 2022, making 453 appearances and becoming the eighth player on the club’s all-time record appearance list. Meanwhile, Adam left Stoke in 2019, making 179 appearances and scoring 21 goals.
The unmatched loyalty of both players was an integral aspect of Stoke City’s status during their time in the premier league. Their shared experiences on the field and no-nonsense style of play made Stoke a difficult team to play against in the era.
A new era awaits Stoke fans, with Shawcross and Adam already in managerial roles; it would not be a surprise if either of them finds himself on the touchlines as a permanent manager of Stoke City.
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