Jones will shoulder blame and admits he may get Potted
CAPTAIN Joe Allen was sent off as Stoke plunged to yet another defeat.
It could hardly get worse for Potters boss Nathan Jones whose personal record is now three wins in his last 29 league matches in charge of Luton and Stoke.
His paltry Potters return this season is one point out of seven games, leaving them rock bottom.
But he came out fighting. “Frustrated? We call it normal now,” said Jones.
“We prepared a team to attack, I wanted the shackles to come off, no fear.
“I said whatever happens I take the blame.
“The chairman and board see the work I do every day. They are wonderful owners but I don’t know how long they are going to be patient.
“We are not a one-point team. But we can’t keep saying that because eventually people with patience, it will run out.”
Both Jones and his chairman Peter Coates, who backed him this week, have bemoaned the team’s luck this season and given it as a reason for their dire start.
But it would help if Stoke started helping themselves.
Eight minutes after taking a fourth-minute lead through Sam Clucas, Potters captain Allen went in foot up on Bristol City’s Josh Brownhill and got himself sent off.
Jones questioned ref Geoff Eltringham’s decision and Stoke are considering appealing the red card.
“It’s an amber one, it’s not a clear cut red card, it’s not an obvious error by the referee,” said Jones.
“But Allen going off made a difference.”
When City did not clear Tom Edwards’ fourth-minute corner, Bruno Martins Indi set up Clucas for his
12-yard finish.
Jack Butland, returning in goal, had to keep out an Andreas Weimann shot and Stoke’s 10 men had a long day in front of them.
In the
55th minute Jack Hunt dodged James McClean, crossed and Famara Diedhiou climbed high to head in and level.
Seven minutes later Hunt did it again.
Cameron CarterVickers went up for a cross with Robins sub Niclas Eliasson and the ball went in off Edwards.
Bristol boss Lee Johnson said: “At half-time there were definitely a few mini hand grenades dropped. We got away with one today.” SEAN DYCHE hailed stoppage-time hero Jeff Hendrick on his 100th Premier League appearance for Burnley.
The Ireland midfielder turned super-sub to fire in a 91st-minute equaliser and snatch a point for Clarets boss Dyche’s off-colour side.
It was agony for Brighton and manager Graham Potter who saw two grim winless streaks extended.
The Seagulls have now gone eight top-flight home matches without a win – and also eight without victory against bogey side Burnley.
Brighton led when French striker Neal Maupay – signed for £20million from Brentford in the summer – acrobatically volleyed them ahead after 51 minutes.
But missed chances to kill the game off cost Brighton dear as Burnley showed their “strong jaw”.
Dyche said: “Jeff has scored a few classy goals and today’s was fantastic, really good. A top-drawer strike after a great lay-off from Vydra. Jeff is unfortunate, he does so many good jobs for us and I can’t believe he gets questioned.
“He is also a top lad around the place and a very good player. He will ask me what can he do to play and why isn’t he playing. But it is the most competitive group I have had.
“We played well for 25 minutes and didn’t score. They changed shape and were the better side in the second half.
“But the changes we made later affected the game. I was pleased to get away with a point today given the second half.
“We have a strong jaw and mentality and we nicked a point.”
Seagulls boss Potter said: “We are disappointed with the result and the manner of the goal so late. After we changed our shape in the first half we were the better team and scored a good goal and had other chances. They scored from their only shot on target.
“But that is the Premier League and that’s what can happen if you don’t kill teams off and get that second goal – other teams can hurt you.
“Of course it is important to win your home games but I think that it will come, the performances are there.”
Hendrick said: “It will help me to remember my
100th game but the most valuable thing was getting the point. We have scored a lot of late goals and just don’t know when it’s over.”
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