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Mark Robins is pleased with how his new backroom team is knitting together as he prepares for the first competitive game of the season. Stoke City have welcomed a sizeable list of new faces in key behind the scenes roles for the new campaign, including Max Porter as new assistant manager, Stuart Harvey as technical director, Damian Roden as head of performance, Mark Sertori and Matt Radcliffe working with him in the medical department, Olivia Lowe as first team physio and Jack Higgins as academy director. Robins will work closest with Porter day to day on the training ground, alongside fellow assistant James Rowberry and coach Ryan Shawcross, who is now watching matches from high in the stand and relaying to the dug-out. Robins said: “I’ve got to say that the quality, personalities, all of that is good to see. It’s early days even on that front but they’re really good people, really knowledgeable. FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest Stoke City news, analysis and more via the Sentinel “I’m looking forward to the first game, I’m looking forward to this week, I was looking forward to Austria. It’s really good. I know we’ve got two weeks until our first league game and that’s exciting.” Robins is weighing up his best starting XI with a message to players that they must grasp the nettle. He said: “They’ve all got to do that. The ones who haven’t played against Valencia are all going to be a little bit disappointed but they can’t allow that to diminish any of their performances. I’m looking forward to working with them and looking forward to what the season holds.” Robins is now finalising plans for a Carabao Cup first round tie at home to Oldham Athletic on Saturday and the Championship first game at home against Swansea a week later – as well as working in the background on transfer business. He said: “They’ve had a little bit of free time after the last friendly then we will work all the way through the week into the Oldham game and then the following week will be very similar. “We’ve had two games here and it’s the first time that some of the new players have been able to get on the grass here. The pitch looks magnificent and we’ve got two more games now at home before we start the away campaign. What’s not to look forward to? “Everybody at this club is an outstanding human being and really good at their jobs. It’s all set up for Premier League football and we have to deliver that – we have to deliver it. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, together we’re stronger and we have to work together to get the outcomes we need.” What do you think? Click HERE to join the debate