‘AS MANAGER YOU ARE PAID TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS’

MICHAEL O’neill says he has no problem making big selection calls after handing the starting gloves back to Joe Bursik.

Bursik, aged 21, started the season as Stoke City’s first choice keeper but lost his place to 29–year-old Adam Davies in September.

Six games later and O’neill returned to Bursik for the weekend’s trip to Millwall. The England under-21s stopper is likely to start tomorrow’s Carabao Cup game against Brentford too before a big home league game against Cardiff.

It is not a position that managers readily change and if O’neill isn’t quite a tinkerman, he’s happy to do so if he thinks it’s right.

He said: “We’ve changed our goalkeeper once this season, we’re not changing him every week.

“We made a decision that we started the season with Joe. Adam had come back a little bit later for pre-season from the Euros. “I explained at the time (we changed in September) that it was a combination of Joe having a difficult game at Derby, Adam had a fantastic game at Watford and I thought Adam deserved the chance at the time.

“Adam had a difficult time in terms of the goal we conceded against Bournemouth and we thought it was the right time to put Joe back in. As a manager you’re paid to make those decisions and I have no problem making them.” Stoke lost 2-1 at Millwall but Bursik impressed.

O’neill said: “There was no chance on either of the goals. I thought he looked really competent. He kicked well, used the ball well, takes up good positions and helps the back three.”

There are further choices up front as Abadallah Sima returns to the fold following an awkward ankle injury.

As Tyrese Campbell builds up sharpness too, Steven Fletcher is fit after a pre-international break ankle injury and Sam Surridge bids for a bigger slice of action, there is pressure on Jacob Brown to be the main man in attack. Brown set up Romaine Sawyers’ goal at The Den and O’neill has been pleased with his impact – and is sure there is improvement still to come.

He said: “He needs to tidy up his play a little bit. But he’s a young player and we’re pleased with the contribution he’s made so far.” Former Stoke keeper Adam Federici has announced his retirement at the age of 36 due to a knee injury. He said: “Through my journey I have played with wonderful coaches, players and clubs.”