Stoke City: Potters boss Steven Schumacher shuns style for substance in Championship survival fight
opening games here, and we were a bit more free-flowing, but then results went against us and confidence dipped.
"So I've sort of got back to 'all right, what are Stoke really good at?' and it is being physical and being committed.
"The last three games we've looked like a team who are willing for a fight, and that's what we are going to need - there are nine games to go now, and there's still going to be more fights where we are going to need to stand up and be counted."
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Stoke City: Potters boss Steven Schumacher shuns style for substance in Championship survival fight
Last updated on11 March 202411 March 2024.
From the sectionStoke
Stoke City boss Steven Schumacher celebrates the Potters' victory at Preston
Stoke's win at Preston ended a run of four successive Championship away defeats for Steven Schumacher's Potters
Stoke City boss Steven Schumacher says he does not mind abandoning his footballing principles if it secures Championship survival for the Potters.
Schumacher has endured a mixed time since succeeding Alex Neil in December and Stoke slipped into the bottom three last month after six defeats in seven.
But two wins in three matches since have lifted them back up to 19th.
"We're out of the relegation zone which gives everybody a bit of a lift," Schumacher told BBC Radio Stoke.
"The football hasn't been exactly how we wanted it over the last three games, we haven't played out from the back [as much].
"But I'm not bothered about that, I just want to get points."
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At previous club Plymouth, Schumacher's Pilgrims were renowned for an attacking, free-scoring style but the 39-year-old admitted he has had to temper that philosophy in his new surroundings.
And he's been rewarded with victories over Middlesbrough and Preston - where the Potters scored a late winner on Saturday - to edge three points above the bottom three.
"What I am really pleased about is that, in the last three games in particular, we are going until the very last minute," Schumacher added.
"That wasn't the case when we first came in - the facts and the data were there, we didn't score from 75 minutes to 90, and now we look as though we can.
"There's also been a realisation from myself: 'What are we actually really good at?' And we're a physical type of team.
"Before I came here, the defensive record was actually quite good, but we didn't create or score enough goals, which was the problem, so we tried to address that.
"We did create loads of chances in our opening games here, and we were a bit more free-flowing, but then results went against us and confidence dipped.
"So I've sort of got back to 'all right, what are Stoke really good at?' and it is being physical and being committed.
So I've sort of got back to 'all right, what are Stoke really good at?' and it is being physical and being committed.
"The last three games we've looked like a team who are willing for a fight, and that's what we are going to need - there are nine games to go now, and there's still going to be more fights where we are going to need to stand up and be counted."
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Indian Wells: Novak Djokovic knocked out by lucky loser Luca Nardi
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Novak Djokovic and Luca Nardi
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Nardi is the lowest-ranked player to beat Djokovic at ATP Masters 1000 or Grand Slam level
World number one Novak Djokovic was beaten by 20-year-old lucky loser Luca Nardi in round three at Indian Wells.
Italian Nardi, ranked 123 in the world, had originally been knocked out in qualifying but reached the main draw after another player's withdrawal.
He hit 34 winners in a 6-4 3-6 6-3 win over the 24-time Grand Slam champion, converting match point with an ace.
"It's crazy," said Nardi, the lowest-ranked player to beat Djokovic at ATP Masters 1000 or Grand Slam level.
"I don't know [how I held my nerve], I think it is a miracle, because I am a 20-year-old guy, and beating Novak."
Norrie loses to Gael Monfils in third round
Raducanu loses to Sabalenka at Indian Wells
Djokovic, 36, who was beaten by eventual winner Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, is yet to win a tournament this year.
"No titles this year. That's not something I'm used to," said the Serb, who hit 17 winners but made nine unforced errors.
"I was starting the season most of my career with a Grand Slam win or Dubai win. It's fine. It's part of the sport. You just have to accept it. Some you win, some you lose.
"Hopefully I'll win some more and still keep going. I guess every trophy that eventually comes my way is going to be great, to break the kind of negative cycle a little bit I'm having in the last three, four tournaments where I haven't really been close to my best."
Nardi, who was beaten by Belgium's David Goffin in the final round of qualifying, said it was an "amazing feeling".
"I couldn't even imagine to play a match against him, and now I also beat him," he added.
"It's such a dream come true for me. After the match, my coaches told me, Luca, everyone was cheering for you. Incredible. Against Djokovic, he's the best player ever.
"I will keep it, this moment, for the rest of my life."
Nardi will play Tommy Paul in the last 16, with the American progressing courtesy of a 6-4 6-4 win over France's Ugo Humbert.
Daniil Medvedev beat Sebastian Korda 6-4 5-7 6-3 and will play Grigor Dimitrov in the next round.
Holger Rune, Casper Ruud and Taylor Fritz also made it through to the last 16.
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