Following a resounding 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough on Saturday, Stoke City manager Steven Schumacher maintains that his team is prepared to “battle” for the Championship title.
Daniel Farke’s team is keen for the Potters to return to winning ways following what they hope was a small setback against Huddersfield Town when they host Leeds United on Tuesday night at Elland Road. After their victory at Plymouth, Ipswich regained second position after holding the Whites to a 1-1 draw.
This season, Leeds has been in dominant form at home, but Stoke is encouraged by their victory over Michael Carrick’s Boro as they go north. Before the half, Bae Jun-ho scored his second goal in as many games to put the hosts ahead, and Lewis Baker sealed the victory late on to give the Potters a significant advantage in their struggle to stay alive.
Schumacher remarked, “I’m really happy for everyone. It’s a big win.” “It was a match between two underperforming teams; the first goal was important, and we played with a little more confidence after that.
“It was a tough game, but I think every one of our players deserves huge credit because everyone played right to the maximum and that’s what it’s going to take. We’re in a real battle and there’s so many teams in a congested bottom half of the division.
“We need to make this place a difficult place to come and today our fans were outstanding right from the very first whistle. It was a great atmosphere; we needed the fans today and we’re going to need them again.
“They got behind us and I really appreciate the support and the players put in the effort and the commitment that they’ll get behind. It was a massive win and every point that you get is going to be huge; everyone can see how tight it is. Six points separate us and 12th, which is mental.
“It’ll change loads of times from now until the end of the season. There are 11 games to go, a lot of points to play for and we’ve got to try and get as many as we can.”
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