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Nathan Jones unpleased after Stoke City’s losing start to the season

Posted on September 26, 2019  in Stoke

Stoke City boss Nathan Jones has spoken about his disappointment after the Potters suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Queens Park Rangers in the Championship opener. The Staffordshire outfit suffered the worst possible start after the poor positioning of goalkeeper Jack Butland allowed an easy tap-in for Jordan Hugill.

At the start of the second period, Eberechi Eze doubled the scores for the visitors and this eventually left the Potters with a mountain to climb as they only managed a consolation through Sam Clucas. Speaking after the game, Jones said that his team were probably the better side at the beginning but the error from Butland handed the impetus to the Rangers.

He said: “We did start well. We didn’t really have any problems and then just a couple of decisions when we could have done better. Jack made the initial error in terms of coming out but they still have to put it in and he still gets a free tap-in. You’ve got to see danger better. It’s a learning curve. The biggest thing for me was that we played with no real tempo. We didn’t look like a home side that really wanted to go after the opposition. Yes, we pressed and they were very clever making a lot of tactical fouls and they were allowed to get away with a hell of a lot.”

Stoke may have come up with an opening day defeat but things could have been different, had Danny Batth converted with a header in stoppage time after Joe Lumley failed to claim a cross. Elsewhere, Rangers defender Tommy Smith appeared to handle the ball within the box, but the referee deemed the moment as unintentional, thereby adding further frustration for the Potters.

Stoke City are scheduled to face Charlton Athletic on the road during their next Championship encounter. Unlike them, the Addicks returned to the second tier in style after securing a 2-1 triumph over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

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