Nat’s a bit more like it
NATHAN JONES reckons this stalemate could be the turning point in Stoke’s disastrous campaign.
Jones’s side are still looking for a first league win and this was only their second point of the season.
But after ending a run of four defeats, the underpressure boss – who insisted last week he had the backing of the Stoke hierarchy – believes there were grounds for optimism at Griffin Park.
Jones said: “In the context, it’s a good point for us. It’s not something we are screaming about, but I am delighted with a point.
“You go through tough times in your career. And you see the character when you come through the tough times.
“Now this is a test in character. It’s been a tough couple of weeks. We are a little bit of a hard-luck story because we don’t deserve to be where we are.
“Our performances have been better than our results, but we can’t keep saying that for ever. This could be a start. It might be a turning point.
“I am a bit disappointed we didn’t nick it.” Jones insisted he had seen encouraging signs in the previous week’s game against Bristol City, despite the 2-1 defeat.
And he had reason to be satisfied with the way his players stuck to their task here. Only a late save from Brentford keeper David Raya from Peter Etebo denied the visitors the chance of a first league win since April.
But neither side should feel too sorry for themselves, particularly in a yawn-inducing first 45 minutes.
The match sparked into life after the break with Stoke sub Danny Batth forced into desperate blocks to deny first Henrik Dalsgaard then Said Benrahma. Jones’s side responded with Bruno Martins Indi’s closerange header that Raya did well to keep out.
But Stoke’s efforts would have counted for nothing if Brentford’s Nikos Karelis had shown more determination as he tried to connect with Sergi Canos’s low cross.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank said: “I’m disappointed and frustrated. I think we looked solid, but beside that we didn’t do too much.
“Stoke are better than their league position and they defended very well. They were difficult to break down. We have a lot of new players settling in, so our offensive engine is not yet up to power.“ BRENTFORD STOKECITY 2 ........ Shots on Target .........4 7 ........ Shots off Target ......... 3 4 ................Corners .................5 13 ................. Fouls ....................6 2 ............... Offsides ..................1 84.8 . Passing Success % .. 75.2 573....... Total Passes ......... 315 64.1 ..... Possession % ..... 35.9 54.4 .. Territorial Adv % ... 45.6