Stoke began their home campaign on a positive note as they produced one of the comfortable football scores of the weekend in the Championship. After an opening day defeat to Milwall, Stoke started the game better than they did on the opening day of the season. Harry Clarke opened the scoring in the 33rd minute before Jacob Brown sealed the win in the 75th minute for the three points.
Managers Reaction
Stoke’s Michael O’Neill: “Our attitude to the game was good, we showed composure and played with purpose as well. We scored two excellent goals and we’re pleased as it’s a good reaction because we’re disappointed with the start that we had last weekend. The only way we can be a team that can aspire to challenge at the top end of the league is with good home form. If you can win half the games in the league, you’re going to be very close to promotion. Emotionally, you lose or draw games that potentially you shouldn’t but certainly, your home form gives you consistency and today’s a step in the right direction.”
Blackpool’s Michael Appleton: “From a result point of view, we probably got what we deserved because of the performance from the first half. It was way away from what I’d expect from any team that I manage in terms of being passive, lacking aggression, being brave, and getting on the ball. The second half gave me encouragement; I thought we were much braver and far more competitive. We were far more dangerous, and we looked like we could score goals and put the opposition under pressure. We got a decent response at half-time, but the damage had been done in the first half – it was just the mental side of it.”
For more football scores, click here
