O’neill delighted as Potters pair show off class to net win
MICHAEL O’neill hailed his match winners Nick Powell and Steven Fletcher as Stoke City got a long-waited away win.
Powell struck in the first half at Bristol City and Fletcher made it secure with a super free-kick in the second, on the back of injury-hit Stoke’s 19th clean sheet of the season, for a first win on the road in five months.
Fletcher’s ninth of the season was a quality finish from just outside the area, nudging a dead ball to the left before pinging it into the top corner.
O’neill said: “I always think you should move the ball, that’s the only thing I say to them. We have another routine on the edge of the area but Steven took charge of it and it’s his own improvisation.
“I just think moving the ball gives you that extra step to get it up and down. It was great execution, he’s got a great left foot.
“I’m pleased for him. He’s been terrific this season and him and Powell together are terrific but because of injury we’ve not been able to get him on the pitch as
much as we would have liked. I’m really pleased for him.”
Powell has 12 for the campaign and has a knack of scoring no
matter what position he is asked to play.
O’neill said: “More importantly, no matter where we play him, he
plays well. I think that’s the most important thing. It was great for him that he scored again but his all round play was again of a very high standard.
“He’s just in a good place, he’s playing with a lot of confidence and he’s consistently fit, which is a big thing, and he’s probably fitter than at any point he’s been in his career.
“It’s his end product which is so high, if you look at the chances he creates and the goals that he scores.
“He was playing as a 10 behind the front two, he’s played in a 4-3-3, on the left.
“I think you’ve got to give him the freedom to play but you can’t give him too much freedom. That’s probably what he’s learned as well. That’s been a big change in him.
“He’s now much more aware of what his role in the team is but equally when you have him and Fletcher combined it’s a real quality pair.”
Jack Clarke, however, has become the fifth Stoke player to be ruled out for the season, joining Nathan Collins, Tyrese Campbell, Joe Allen and Tashan Oakley-boothe. He will head back to Tottenham for treatment on damaged ankle ligaments picked up in a scan yesterday.
O’neill said: “We could have done with him. I think we’ve got 10 players out with injury.
“We could have done with more from him in the final eight games of the season. It’s never nice when a loan is cut short like that.
“He struggled a bit to start in recent weeks because the system made it difficult for him but overall we’ve been pleased with the contribution he’s made.”
The players missing made for a very youthful bench – and it could be the same against Millwall at home on Monday.
O’neill said: “The bench is incredible. I think Rabbi Matondo was an experienced player on that bench and he’s 20.
“I think we had four 18 or 19 year olds and we have 10 players out with injury at the moment.
“We’ve dealt with a lot this season and maybe our injuries have been overlooked a little bit. We have lost key players at key stages of the season.
“But I think it shows where we are at the club too. There’s a good mood at the club, a positive mood, and to come away here and win given the injuries that we have – and I know Bristol City have injuries too but they still had experienced players off the bench – is pleasing.”
■ CREWE Alexandra suffered late agony as they were beaten 2-1 at home by League One leaders Hull City yesterday.
Chris Porter put the Alex ahead from the penalty spot in the 66th minute, but the Tigers quickly levelled through Josh Megennis’ penalty.
Malik Wilks then popped up in injury-time to keep Hull flying high at the top.