Reaction at Hillsborough as Stoke City loses to 10-men Sheffield Wednesday
Defiant Narcis Pelach argues this is ‘not the time for sobbing’ yet rising up will be counted as a defeat to ten men. Sheffield Wednesday incited unrest stir the away end.
Stoke City are now winless in eight games as they prepare for a rapid triple-header against promotion-chasing Leeds, Sunderland, and Burnley.
A 2-0 defeat at Hillsborough was tough to swallow, as Wednesday converted two chances, Stoke missed a penalty, and additional penalty appeals were disallowed.
The travelling fans expressed their dissatisfaction with the head coach, but he is sure that he has thick skin enough to turn things around.
“We know what the situation is,” he remarked. “We’ve been in football long enough to know how hard it can be, but now is not the time to cry. It’s time to get back on the pitch and stand tall at our home.
“If we give them something to start with, they will support us. Leeds is a strong opponent, possibly the toughest in this league, but we will battle and not give up. I will not put any player on the pitch who gives up. I want the players to represent me. I understand what the Boxing Day game means in England; it’s a big day, and we need to step up and stand firm.”
He went on to say, “Of course, I am prepared to fight.” I have no reservations about this. I’m clear in my mind. My heart belongs to Stoke City, my project is here, and I want to fight. I want my teammates to fight for me, and I know they will because they approach me and I know we have a relationship. It’s not because they aren’t trying, but there is something we can learn here. That’s how I interpret it. I’m going to work tonight as hard as I have the previous days, and I’ll work again tomorrow, the day after, and on Boxing Day versus Leeds.”
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