JAMES TO THRIVE AT POTTERS

JAMES MCCLEAN can prove his doubters wrong at Stoke by becoming a key man in their promotion push.

That is according to Ireland boss Martin O’neill who is adamant his fellow Derryman (above) will thrive once he finds his stride.

Mcclean was in the headlines this week after a tunnel bust-up involving him and some of his new team-mates took place during the 3-0 home defeat to Wigan on Wednesday.

Plenty of Stoke fans were up in arms at manager Gary Rowett signing the winger from West Brom during the summer.

But O’neill feels Mcclean can prove them all wrong.

“The incident the other night doesn’t alarm me but nor would I say, ‘That’s James’ as I don’t know who started the particular argument,” he said.

“Apparently he overheard something and reacted to it. If James actually provoked the thing then he would have to settle down a bit but if he is reacting to something said, then I don’t have a problem with it.

“He’s desperate to make an impression at a new club and the start Stoke have had is not what they expected.

“But it’s a long season and teams need time to adjust.

“Stoke fans are frustrated at this minute and might take out their frustration on a player who might not have been top of their list to replace Xherdan Shaqiri.

“He has to overcome that and has the temperament to do so – but you don’t want him doing rash things in the game and find out that the frustration has proliferated.

“What he wants is to start performing to the level he achieved with us as he became our talisman in the World Cup games – you want him to find that form.”