Mame man for Potters
STOKE made it two out of two for new manager Michael O’neill.
It was a day that saw the reintroduction of forgotten man Mame Biram Diouf, who had the final say on an afternoon where it could have gone horribly wrong for O’neill.
At one point his agenda was all about a Jack Butland blunder and the real threat of a home defeat at the hands of the worst travellers in the Championship.
By the third minute of added time, Sam Morsy’s opener for Wigan had been consigned to history, cancelled out by Danny Batth and substitute Diouf.
‘Magic touch O’neill’ they will be calling him in the pubs and clubs round the Potteries and he will settle for that, for now.
After watching Stoke win at home for only the second time this season, the Northern Ireland boss was quick to praise Diouf, saying: “Since the minute I came into the club Mame has come in with a smile on his face.
“He’s very popular and has a lot to offer, and can play in any front position.
“I’m delighted with the start. At half-time I told them I would learn more about them in the next 45 minutes than all season and not to let me down.”
O’neill’s reception could not have been more low key. Old favourite Delilah was in mid-bellow when he took his seat for his first home match with no announcement, no fanfare.
Apparently this is a ‘thing’ now at the bet365. Four managers in 22 months since Mark Hughes’ departure has meant a rethink on welcome mats.
There were plenty of positives yesterday, not to mention several negatives.
Jamal Lowe’s jet-propelled race the length of the pitch required a good clearance from Butland.
Instead he thwacked the ball against Tom Edwards, the rebound dropping to Morsy.
David Marshall then made a string of saves from James Mcclean, Stephen Ward and Tom Ince but could do nothing when Batth got a touch to a freekick by Ryan Woods.
Stoke had opportunities to win it and in the third minute of added time Diouf had a simple knock-in from Ince’s initial shot.
Wigan’s under-pressure boss Paul Cook said: “It’s football, it is a brutal industry. The biggest pain is when you feel you can’t help your team and that is the saddest thing.”
STOKE WIGAN 4 ........ Shots on Target ......... 2 7 ........ Shots off Target .........4 3 ................Corners .................5 13 ................. Fouls ................. 20 2 ............... Offsides ..................1 73.6 ... Passing Success % ... 58.3 424....... Total Passes ........ 283 60.3 .......Possession ........ 39.7 54 .....Territorial Adv % ..... 46