WAKE UP Jones: My Potters flops lacked energy for fight
FRUSTRATED Stoke boss Nathan Jones is demanding his side improve their consistency.
He was left angry as the Potters slumped to defeat at home to Preston following goals from Alan Browne and Brad Potts.
Their misery was complete after Sam Clucas had a penalty saved on the stroke of full-time.
“There is a big inconsistency at the moment and we need to address that,” Jones said.
“We did not start well, we did not keep the ball well enough and we lacked energy.
“We did not impose ourselves and showed the inconsistency we have had all season.
“We were light in midfield, though we picked a good enough side to go out and play well – but we did not do that.
“Both goals were avoidable and that is disappointing. They hit us on the break and we did not see the danger and get back in and defend. The positive is that we will get better.
“We have had time to work on things as a group, who are low in confidence.
“We have to keep working hard and go forward, we have to be better.”
Thrilled Preston boss Alex Neil hailed his Lillywhite players as “brilliant” after they secured a first win at Stoke in more than 20 years.
“I’m delighted with the lads, I thought they were brilliant,” said Neil. “We knew it was going to be difficult.
“We also knew that with the players we have back, the players we have brought in and ■ Alan Browne has now scored 10 league goals for Preston this season in 25 games, as many strikes as he managed in his last three campaigns combined (111 apps, 10 goals). the way we performed last week, if we could carry that on we were confident we could get the result.
“The penalty save was a key moment for us because if they had got a goal at that stage in the game, with five or six minutes to play, it could have been a difficult end.
Browne opened the scoring with his 10th goal of the season on 20 minutes following a good spell of pressure by North End, and Jack Butland saved a powerful Sean Maguire effort on 25 minutes.
After the break, Declan Rudd did brilliantly to
save from Clucas after Joe Allen carved Preston open and then Allen had a shot cleared off the line.
But Preston made the game safe with 10 minutes to go when Potts slotted coolly past Butland after Maguire’s perfect pass.
Rudd then saved a Clucas penalty at the death after Peter Etobo was brought down by
Potts.