Michael O’Neill pleased to see Stoke bounce back with win in first home game

Michael O’Neill was pleased by his Stoke side’s reaction after a comfortable 2-0 victory versus Blackpool.

Despite suffering defeat on the opening weekend of the season, the Potters enjoyed a bright opening period.

New recruits Dwight Gayle and Josh Laurent both threatened, with the latter striking the crossbar.

And it was another new addition who handed Stoke the advantage when Arsenal loanee Harry Clarke nodded in a Josh Tymon cross.

Josh Bowler and Callum Connolly both came close to finding a leveller but any chances of a Tangerine comeback were extinguished when Jacob Brown netted late on.

“Our attitude to the game was good, we showed composure and played with purpose as well,” said O’Neill.

“We scored two excellent goals and we’re pleased as it’s a good reaction because we’re disappointed with the start that we had last weekend.

“The only way we can be a team that can aspire to challenge at the top end of the league is with good home form. If you can win half the games in the league, you’re going to be very close to promotion.

“Emotionally, you lose or draw games that potentially you shouldn’t but certainly your home form gives you consistency and today’s a step in the right direction.

“The crowd here in recent years, since they’ve come out of the Premier League, you hope that you can bounce straight back, and the club hasn’t been able to do that.

“I think it’s really important that you have a strong relationship between the supporters and the team.

“We have to build that and there’s a responsibility on us as a group of players and management to put a team on the pitch that the fans can relate to.

“Hopefully they saw a team today that is much more like the Stoke team they want to see going forward.”

The visitors,