Confident Neil set to play long haul game at Potters

AMBITIOUS Stoke boss Alex Neil believes he will be given time to work his magic with the Potters.

And while today’s opponents Watford have a worrying hire-and-fire policy, Neil has a long-term vision for success.

“It’s (Stoke managers being given time) one of the key facets for me in coming here,” said Neil.

“My relationship with owner John Coates so far, speaking to him, well he’s

got how he wants his club to be and how he wants his team to be. We’re singing from the exact same page.

“But I think when you go into any job as a coach or manager today you understand that short-term results only buy you time.

“However, by buying yourself time and being competitive it allows you to shape or transform or bring along your style of play, your culture – all those bits.

“The simple fact is if you don’t win enough games you won’t have enough opportunity to do that.”

Stoke are unbeaten in their last two Championship matches ahead of the visit of the Hornets in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

But the Scot added:

“Let’s be brutally honest, in football the majority of time you get a job when it’s not going well. You don’t get a job because things are going great.”

New Watford boss Slaven Bilic, brought in after the club sacked Rob Edwards just 11 games into his tenure, says he knows things need to turn around quickly at the club.

He said: “In my view the team has to find that positive momentum and that positive arrogance that has been missing so far.

“We have to give clear ideas, and most importantly belief, to the players.

“We have what we need on paper and we’ll be working hard to produce it on the pitch.”