'It’s almost like you need a slap' - Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray reacts to Stoke City loss
- Planet Sport writer
- 6 days ago
Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray opened up on a 'frustrating' day as his men fell to a 2-1 defeat at Stoke City.
The visitors were denied a fourth successive away league victory as they slipped to sixth in the table.
First Potters league goals for Ryan Mmaee and Luke McNally either side of Jack Clarke’s leveller secured a first home win since August to help Stoke open up a five-point gap above the relegation zone.
The best efforts of Clarke and co could not prevent Sunderland from falling to a second defeat in a row, but they remain in the play-offs.
“It was a frustrating day for us and we didn’t start either half well enough,” said boss Mowbray.
“It’s almost like you need a slap before you react to the fight.
“We talked about trying to be ready for the physical confrontation and we fell a little bit short today in that aspect.
“We created enough chances today not to lose the match but we fell below par for the way we play and what we do.
“Not just for the goals; it looks like a blatant handball the first one and then it’s frustrating for any football team to concede from a corner.
“In our defence, we’ve only had one training day with the team that started today so it’s probably understandable that we weren’t at our fluent best.
“We’re a young team; coming to Stoke City is never easy and they have to learn that intensity, aggression and closing down is all part of the game.
“You either stand up to it and play around it or you succumb, and I think we weren’t brave enough.
“Were they hanging on at the end? Maybe. Should we have scored? Yeah, but we didn’t so it goes in the history books as 2-1 and we have to live with it.”
