Yesterday’s 4-1 defeat at Crystal Palace was their fourth loss in five Premier League fixtures and left them with a total of one point, three goals scored and 14 conceded. This was the end game of what me and the chairman and the board have been trying to do.
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James Tomkins: “James had a good first half and just overstretched his knee a little bit making a tackle just before half-time, so we’ll have to see how that is – hopefully it’s not too bad”. If you are not on it, like we haven’t been in the games we have been beaten, that is what happens. We’ve had three top 10 finishes. Sunderland will need to use their home crowd to get inspiration but it will not be easy as the team is still rebuilding as they have only recently changed manager. “The dressing room is full of good talent, but that talent needs to ally it to sensible play, which we’re not doing”.
He has also been able to change the identity of the club.
If you’re a Stoke City supporter, the chances are you’ve been less than impressed with your side’s start to the new Premier League campaign.
After dragging their feet for the majority of the summer, to former boss Steve Bruce’s chagrin, the Tigers finally bolstered a paper-thin squad at the 11th hour and Phelan has now got options at his disposal.
PALACE: Mandanda, Ward, Tomkins (Delaney, 46 mins), Dann, Kelly, McArthur, Ledley (Flamini, 78 mins), Zaha, Puncheon, Townsend (Lee, 85 mins), C. Benteke.
A mazy run from the Palace half took him past a number of defenders before he slotted home from just outside the opposing box to seal the 4-1 win.
In the previous round, a 3-1 win at Exeter, Phelan retained more first-teamers than he ideally wanted to and will not have his hand forced this time.
At the same time, the club raised concerns about the inconsistencies displayed by officials this season.
“Now we have a group of players who need games”.
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“This team has changed drastically in the summer, and it’s hard to change a team and change the style of play a bit to suit new players”. Hughes has spoken of his frustration at not having had a settled back four, and they again frequently looked disorganised.
