Defensive mistakes are costing us, says Stoke boss Gary Rowett

Posted Sunday, September 30, 2018 by PA

Stoke manager Gary Rowett was left with mixed emotions following their 2-2 draw at Rotherham.

The hosts romped into a two-goal lead within three minutes of the restart thanks to Ryan Manning – from the penalty spot – and Richie Towell.

The Potters responded through Tom Ince before Bojan struck a late equaliser, but the result leaves both teams in the wrong half of the Sky Bet Championship.

Although Rowett felt his side bossed the game, he was left to bemoan costly mistakes.

He said: “It was incredibly frustrating because we should be talking about the 75 or 80 minutes when we have dominated the game. It was marred by a couple of moments of madness.

“It was a top, top performance. We have three games now where we have come back strongly in games so there is nothing wrong with our character. At the moment we are making things hard for ourselves.

“We are showing the other side of us which is stopping us from climbing the table.

“The reality is if we can cut the mistakes out, which we are making at poor times, we will win games of football. The defensive side is costing us the chance to win games.

“I think we have dominated the game on the whole. We caused them all sorts of problems. We got into great areas and probably had 80 per cent of the ball. It’s very, very difficult to see how we were 2-0 down.”

The Millers went in front when Ryan Williams outpaced Ashley Williams to win a penalty, which Manning tucked away on 47 minutes.

Still shell-shocked, Stoke were further behind in the 50th minute, with Towell getting the final touch to Richard Wood’s powerful header.

Stoke responded and halved the deficit in the 59th minute through Ince, who finished off a sweeping move by tucking in Erik Pieters’ cross.

And Bojan ensured Stoke headed home with a point as he glanced in Benik Afobe’s 85th-minute cross to deny Rotherham a fourth home victory this season.

Despite letting slip a two-goal advantage, Millers manager Paul Warne remained proud of his players for their display.

He said: “We started the second half really well and probably got two goals too early.

“I asked the lads after the game what their overall emotion was and it was disappointment because they got into 80 odd minutes ahead. Mine was of pride because I was really proud of how they played.

“I thought the lads were outstanding. They brought quality on off the bench. We send them out with a smile on their face and they try to compete against some unbelievable players.

“I think they have earned a lot of respect off a lot of people. They give everything they can for this great club and I am hugely proud of them.”