Pott luck runs out for O’Neill
MICHAEL O’NEILL is under no illusions about the job needed to avoid relegation after another costly defeat for Stoke.
Just when it looked like the luck of the Irish had nicked a point for his team, O’Neill’s day was ruined by a late winner from Rovers substitute Sam Gallagher.
Three points would have taken Stoke out of the bottom three, but they remain slap bang in trouble after a 13th defeat out of 19 games.
“Having clawed our way back, we’ve lost a poor goal on the counter-attack,” said O’Neill. “There was a lack of belief today, an individual and collective thing, and we have to get past that.
“What happens Monday to Friday is irrelevant if you can’t do it on a pitch on a Saturday and show you’re capable of playing.
“We have to deal with the situation that we’re in a fight to stay in this league.”
It didn’t take long for Blackburn to expose familiar weaknesses as they went ahead.
Stewart Downing’s corner caused pinball and
Tosin Adarabioyo’s effort was blocked on the line by James McClean.
But there was no denying main man Bradley Dack as he gobbled up his 10th of the season from close range on his 300th game.
As the Potters struggled to respond, the moans and groans from supporters increased in the stands.
There needed to be a response in the second half and, from McClean’s cross, Christian Walton made a fine stop to keep out Sam Vokes’ towering header.
O’Neill made a double change as he sent on
Mame Biram Diouf and Scott Hogan in the search for an equaliser and the two subs combined as Hogan put Diouf through on goal.
Walton saved Diouf’s first effort and his second was headed off the line by Rovers skipper Darragh Lenihan.
But they found a leveller when Walton flapped at McClean’s corner and the ball ended up in the net, with the last touch off Rovers midfielder Corry Evans — one of O’Neill’s stalwarts for Northern Ireland.
Yet the visitors found a piece of quality to win it as Dack released sub Elliott Bennett and his low ball was swept in by Gallagher.
That made it three wins in eight days for Tony Mowbray’s side and ended a spell of four straight away defeats. “It was hardearned, but we deserved to win,” he said.