Rowett must take chants
STOKE manager Gary Rowett has vowed to take the fans’ criticism on the chin.
Rowett was subjected to chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” in a toxic atmosphere inside the Bet365 Stadium after his strugglers were beaten by Bristol City.
It leaves the big-spending pre-season favourites eight points off the play-off pace.
“I’m feeling frustrated as well because I know we have better players,” he said. “I have to accept the criticism because we are not in the position we want to be in.
“I will take it on the chin and we have to win the games to turn it around.
“I’m OK if I get criticism. We live or die as a team but as manager I know the criticism will be directed at me. Our ambition was to be at the top and we have signed a lot of good players. We have not had the performances that the financial outlay has warranted, so I understand why people are angry and we have to find a solution.”
Robins manager Lee Johnson was quick to praise the work of 20-year-old full-back Lloyd Kelly.
“He was outstanding today in how he kept Tom Ince quiet,” said Johnson. “Stoke are a good side with good individuals. They have spent a lot of money and have a Premier League squad so we had to win the one-v-one battles.
“Ince is world class at cutting inside and bending goals in the top corner. Lloyd defended brilliantly against him and isolated him.”
Niki Maenpaa pulled off a fine save to keep out a Benik Afobe penalty after Bruno Martins Indi was brought down in the sixth minute.
James McClean and Ince both tested the goalkeeper inside the opening 30 minutes as the Potters kept up the pressure. Famara Diedhiou
powered a header home from Jack Hunt’s cross for his seventh goal of the season in the 39th minute.
And it was game over when Callum O’Dowda struck after Stoke failed to clear Hunt’s cross nine minutes from time.
STOKE (4-3-3): Butland; Martina, Shawcross, Williams, Martins Indi (Clucas 78); Allen, Woods (Berahino 63), Etebo; Ince, Afobe (Crouch 60), McClean. Booked: Woods, Martina, Williams.
BRISTOL CITY (4-4-2): Maenpaa; Hunt, Kalas, Webster (Wright 38), Kelly; Pack, Weimann (Adelakun 90), Brownhill, Paterson (Taylor 83); O’Dowda, Diedhiou.
Booked: Pack. Goals: Diedhiou 39, O’Dowda 81.
Referee: P Tierney (Lancashire).