Stoke City manager Nathan Jones has admitted that he cannot defend his side's current league position but is now keen to resolve the issues that the club are currently facing.

After experiencing an underwhelming end to the previous campaign in the Championship, the Potters have a disastrous start to the current season which has resulted in them plummeting to the bottom of the standings.

Following an opening day defeat to Queens Park Rangers, Stoke have only managed to pick up one point from a possible fifteen on offer.

Whilst the Potters did illustrate some signs of promise in their most recent clash with Birmingham City, a late goal from Jude Bellingham saw them suffer a third successive defeat in the second-tier.

With Stoke set to face a Bristol City on Saturday, Jones will be wanting to see a response from his players to their setback at St Andrew's.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke ahead of the club's showdown with the Robins, the 46-year-old said: "I can't defend the league position.

"If it was just results the club wanted to improve, they could have gone for someone else.

"The club, squad, atmosphere is in a better position [now].

"The work we've done underneath will improve us."

If Stoke can secure their first league victory of the season at the bet365 Stadium against Lee Johnson's side, they could move up to 22nd in the league standings depending on results elsewhere.

The Verdict

Whilst the 2019/20 campaign is still in its infancy, Jones can ill-afford to allow his Stoke side to continue to drop points as doing so could result in the club facing the prospect of a relegation battle.

When you consider that the former Luton Town boss has a squad at his disposal which is brimming with talent, there is no reason why the Potters cannot put a string of positive results together.

However, if Stoke end up suffering a damaging defeat on Saturday to the Robins, Jones' future may be brought into question by the club's hierarchy.