JONES RELIEF AS POTTERS GET LIFT-OFF AT LAST
Boss believes he has found winning formula
RELIEVED Stoke manager Nathan Jones believes he might just have found the formula to haul his struggling side away from the wrong end of the Championship table.
Goals from Tyrese Campbell and Lee Gregory saw the Potters claim their first home league win since the start of March.
And victory – the club’s second in a row – lifted Jones’ team off the bottom of the table. No wonder the Welshman punched the air in delight and blew a big kiss to the sky as he tasted a home league victory for the first time since a win over Nottingham Forest nearly eight months ago.
“It was relief, a bit of euphoria,” reflected Jones on his joyous celebrations with suffering Stoke supporters at the final whistle. “It’s been a long time coming – back-to-back wins – and so has a performance like that at home. It’s very pleasing.”
Campbell fired the hosts ahead in the 16th minute, before strike partner Gregory scored from the penalty spot after substitute Scott Hogan had been hauled down by keeper Marcus Bettinelli with 10 minutes remaining.
“We had less possession than we’d have liked, but we defended really well and we were a real threat,” added Jones.
“We were 1-0 up at half-time and probably should have been up by more, but on clearcut chances we deserved to be ahead.
“You always think ‘can we maintain that?’ When I first came here we’d take 1-0 and 2-0 leads into half-time, but we wouldn’t be able to build on it.”
Jones was full of praise for Campbell.
He said: “He has a lot of attributes which are very pleasing for
a manager, especially with how we play. He’s got pace and the boy can finish. He’s had to be patient and trust us with his development, but now we’re starting to see a little bit.
“I’ve been criticised for changing but results have meant I’ve needed to tinker a little bit to find a formula. We believe we have found a formula. We’ve not stumbled on it, it’s something we’ve worked on it since pre-season.”
Fulham had plenty of early possession, but succumbed to a sucker-punch to go behind.
A routine goal-kick from keeper Adam Federici was headed on by Gregory and Campbell held off his marker to slot into the corner of the net. And the home team could have easily doubled their lead 10 minutes later.
Gregory teed up skipper Joe Allen on the penalty spot, but the midfielder’s powerful shot was excellently saved by Bettinelli.
Goalscorer Campbell nearly had a second just after the half hour mark. His initial closerange shot was saved by Bettinelli, but Campbell got off a second effort which defender Alfie Mawson brilliantly blocked.
Allen had a point-blank effort from Gregory’s cross saved. Gregory then had a penalty appeal turned down by referee Andy Davies after he thought he was fouled by Joe Bryan.
Fulham finally created a decent chance in the 51st minute when Federici pulled off a fine save from Harry Arter’s shot.
Captain Tom Cairney curled a left-foot shot just wide. Bobby Decordova-Reid also lashed a thunderous shot wide and Reid headed straight at a thankful Federici from Ivan Cavaleiro’s cross.
Bryan fired just over the bar as Scott Parker’s side looked for a way back, but Gregory’s penalty sealed their fate. Sub Hogan was clear on goal but Bettinelli felled him. Gregory stepped up to fire into the bottom right corner.
“We’ll dust ourselves down,” stressed Parker. “This a young squad which has been put together and along the way there’s going to be a few bumps.
“It’s not something which a real massive issue, but it’s a bump, which is going to happen
“How we bounce back from this will ultimately determine how we do this year.
“That’s the challenge now, we have to come back fighting. That’s the only thing you can do.
“It’s one football match and we have to go again.”