Nathan Jones disappointed after frustrating draw against Rotherham
Posted on April 29, 2019 in Stoke
Stoke City manager Nathan Jones cut a frustrated figure on Saturday afternoon after his team squandered a 2-0 advantage against Rotherham United to settle for a 2-2 draw. The Potters earned a comfortable two-goal advantage before the break with Sam Vokes and Sam Clucas finding the scoresheet but they could not sustain the same pressure in the second period where Rotherham made the comeback.
“We knew what they would do and we knew we would have to defend well because they are a big, strong side who like to play in a direct way,” Jones told the media after the game. “We managed to deal with them in the first half, played some decent stuff and scored two really well constructed goals. But then we took our foot off the gas, got outworked, out-battled and didn’t do the basics of the game anywhere near well enough.”
Stoke have struggled to secure regular victories since the appointment of Jones in January and the stalemate against Rotherham was the eighth from the past 11 league games. Due to this, the North Staffordshire club are lingering towards the tailend of the table but they are safe from any threat of relegation with a 12-point advantage over the drop zone.
Meanwhile, Rotherham have given themselves every chance of beating the drop after earning another hard-fought point on the road. The club are currently one point behind 21st-placed Wigan Athletic after playing an extra game more, but they continue to hold the hope of surviving in the Championship for another season.