VOKES WILL COME GOOD, SAYS JONES
New boy spurns a penalty
STOKE City manager Nathan Jones is convinced new signing Sam Vokes will quickly put a penalty miss in the defeat at Hull behind him.
Vokes, who agreed a deal from Burnley on transfer deadline day, had a nightmare debut when his spot-kick in first-half injury-time was saved by David Marshall.
Jarrod Bowen had given Hull the lead 60 seconds earlier and Kamil Grosicki made sure of the win after the hour mark.
Jones said: “It’s a frustrating thing when you get an opportunity like that.
“It was his first game and he maybe lacked match sharpness, but I’m sure that didn’t affect the penalty. He will come good – we know that.”
Astonishingly, Stoke have now missed nine of their past 12 penalties in league and cup competitions.
Jones said: “It’s pretty much an epidemic at the minute. We’ve missed so many penalties. We’ve had different penalty takers, but it’s strange.”
Stoke should have at least tested Marshall after four minutes when Danny Batth launched a punt through the heart of Hull’s defence, but James McClean made a hash of the opportunity.
Hull eventually warmed to the task, with sections of the home support believing they had scored after 34 minutes. But Todd Kane, unmarked at the far post from Grosicki’s corner, could only head into the side-netting.
Suitably inspired, Hull enjoyed a fine spell of pressure which peaked when Bruno Martins Indi fouled Kane just outside the penalty area.
Bowen looked to have his work cut out from such a challenging angle, but he deftly floated the ball over the wall for his 15th goal of the season.
In a breathless end to the half, Vokes then wasted the chance to equalise after referee Peter Bankes had spotted an infringement on the 29-year-old forward.
Vokes’ penalty was not short of power, but it was struck too closely to Marshall, who saved with his legs. Marshall was, however, nearly caught out moments after the restart when he misjudged Thomas Edwards’ cross on the goalline, with the ball hacked to safety from the skirmish.
Stoke continued to probe in numbers, but an over-commitment to the cause played to the strengths of counter-attacking Hull, who doubled their advantage after 64 minutes.
Fraizer Campbell found the onrushing Grosicki, whose first-time strike hit the foot of the left-hand post and then the back of the net. Hull head coach Nigel Adkins highlighted a strong team ethic as a major factor behind his team’s return to winning ways. Adkins said: “It was an excellent victory and another clean sheet.
“The pivotal moment was an excellent save by David Marshall. Was it a penalty? It was a big, big call.
“We came into the game with five centre-backs missing, but we’ve got a good blend of youth and experience and have an excellent culture at the training ground.”