admin“Can’t explain why”- Gary Rowett at a loss after Oxford United hit for three by Stoke
Oxford United manager Gary Rowett admits he cannot explain the reasons for his side’s 3-0 defeat to Stoke City on Tuesday night.
A Lewis Baker double coupled with a Steven Nzonzi strike downed the U’s in what the U’s boss described as the poorest performance since he took the reigns in OX4.
The Yellows conceded within the first quarter of an hour for the second game running, going a goal down as Baker tapped home from close range.
2018 World Cup winner Nzonzi doubled the Potters’ lead just after half an hour, sweeping the ball home from a corner in excellent fashion.
The third goal came in the second half with Stoke cruising, ex-Chelsea man Baker was allowed two tries to tuck the ball home, doing so successfully with his second bite at the cherry.
“I would say that’s probably as poor performance overall as we’ve had since I’ve been here,” the United boss admitted.
“Which was disappointing in finishing on the back of the way we did against Millwall.
“[Stoke are] a good side. I do believe we gave them a bit of a helping hand tonight but they were the better side. They probably showed a little bit more energy, little bit more drive and desire than us.
“I’m not questioning the players but that’s what the game was.
“When we did get a chance to play we didn’t look as comfortable on the ball as we have done in games. We went backwards too much, we went back to Jamie Cumming too much. We sort of looked like we’d run out of ideas to be honest.”
Oxford came flying out of the blocks so it was all the more disappointing that they conceded so early.
A first-minute corner saw Will Lankshear glance a header which fell to Michal Helik whose poke at goal was saved.
Chances did come for the U’s, Przemyslaw Placheta having probably the best chance when he finished a neat move by putting a low driven shot just wide of the post.
As the game went on though, Rowett’s men failed to impress as Stoke stamped their authority on the game.
Rowett said: “I expected us to create a little bit more. I think we’ve had a decent amount of shots in decent positions. We actually got in some really good positions first half, creating the opportunity from it, or clear-cut opportunity from it.
“Sometimes you gamble a little bit with the team selection. I felt Shemmy deserved a start. I think Mills has been one of the better performers, I thought he was one of the better performers tonight as well. It showed why we did it.
“I don’t think it left us open defensively…maybe for the third one they end up running off us into the final third, get a little bit of luck with the ricochet and it summed up the evening really.”
“I thought we petered out as well,” the 51-year-old continued.
“We looked like we didn’t quite show the relevant fight late on in the game to try and get something. I understand that at 3-0, it’s a long way back if you don’t get a goal.
“A really disappointing evening, and I can’t really explain why. Hopefully it’s one of those evenings where things just don’t quite look right.
“Hopefully we don’t continue that into the weekend.”
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