Stoke City face Leeds United twice over the next week.
Nathan Jones joined Stoke City full of promise and with hope of a fresh future.
Billed as the antithesis of the hard, uncompromising side Tony Pulis once built, Jones has gone too far the other way. Stoke are seen as a soft touch.
The end of the line could come for Jones when Stoke face Leeds United.
Stoke play Leeds twice over the next week, on Saturday at home in the Championship, and then at Elland Road next week in the Carabao Cup.
Leeds are the last team Stoke should want to play right now considering the form of the two clubs.
Stoke sit bottom of the Championship with one point from four games, while Leeds are top with 10 points.
In theory, its an opportunity for Jones.
Winning against Leeds would represent a major scalp, attract headlines, and buy him a bit of time.
This worked in January, when Jones recorded his much needed first win as Stoke boss against Leeds, with a surprise 2-1 win.
The reality is this time, it is likely to be very different.
Jones’ methods simply are not working. The players are not effective in his system, and confidence and optimism is draining – from the crowd too.
Leeds are in a different place too. They have a near fully fit squad, and are fresh, while in January they were showing signs of beginning to flag after a strong run in November and December.
New signings Eddie Nketiah and Helder Costa are bedding in and getting better, and optimism is sky high at the club.
Leeds have the potential to embarrass Stoke, winning both games by a considerable scoreline.
Such humiliation might be the final straw in Jones’ sorry tale.
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