Nathan Jones grateful for support from the Stoke City board amid crisis
Posted on October 19, 2019 in Stoke
Stoke City manager Nathan Jones has said that he is grateful that the board have backed him during a difficult period for the side. The 46-year-old joined the Potters as their new head coach from Luton in January this year but he has since guided the team to just three wins from 27 games in the Championship.
At present, the Staffordshire outfit are right at the bottom with just one point from the opening seven matches of the 2019/2020 season but the hierarchy are yet to yield the axe on the ex-Luton boss. Speaking in a press conference, Jones appreciated the support from the club’s owners but admitted that he can’t rely on the same, should the club’s poor run of form continue.
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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.
Speaking to reporters, Jones acknowledged that there have been no concrete offers for the Senegalese at the moment and he is hopeful that the European transfer window closes with the midfielder still in the club’s ranks, he said: “We will see,” said Jones. We’ve had no offers for him. We’ve had inquiries, but no offers. And of course I am happy with that. He’s a fantastic player and I’d like him to stay. I’d like to keep him.”
Speaking to reporters, Jones said that he wants more contributions from the centre of the park after struggling to do so during the backend of the previous season, he told: “We want our midfield players to score. We want to score more than we did last season. Our defensive record was magnificent last season and if we can have that defensive record, then add goals from all different areas, then we will be a much better and more fluent side. I would have liked more goals, but we’ve got four more games to sharpen them up. We want our midfield players to score and we want to be better from set plays. So all over we want to improve.”
Speaking after that game, Jones cited that the club lacked the ruthlessness to get something out of the encounter. He added that the Potters have spent extensively on attacking players and the emphasis is on the coaching staff to improve on the team’s fortunes upfront, he said: “We didn’t have a ruthless streak, somebody to take the chances. That’s what we will bring into the club – a ruthless streak and energy.
Speaking after the game, Jones was far from impressed with the Potters performance as they failed to attain their first win on the road since October. He added that the game should have been finished within the first period where they had multiple scoring opportunities and the failure to do so cost them with Ipswich coming out fighting following the break.
In the opening two games, Batth has witnessed the Potters suffer defeats against Hull City and West Bromwich Albion respectively but he remains upbeat for a change in momentum during the upcoming game at struggling Wigan Athletic, he enthused: “It’s a great stadium and a great fan baseand I’m looking to do well for the club and the fans. They’ve had a tough few years, so if I can be part of the revival, and what the manager is trying to do, fantastic. We have to really build and use the rest of the season in a positive way to try and get the fans behind us and stick to our task.”
Still, there were some positives with the Potters returning to scoring ways after three Championship matches and Jones is now looking forward to the Cup replay against Shrewsbury where he could offer the opportunity for the reserve players. Speaking to reporters, Jones confirmed that changes are likely for the midweek Cup tie but he would not want to hamper the balance within the team.