After Stoke City’s 1-0 loss to Leeds United last night, manager Steven Schumacher feels that the referees at Elland Road ‘can’t wait to make decisions against you’.
Ben Pearson was sent off in the late stages of the game after receiving two yellow cards, as the Potters suffered their eighth loss in their previous nine league games in Yorkshire. The outcome maintained the team from Staffordshire in the bottom three, tied on points with Huddersfield Town. But when the Terriers play Cardiff City in South Wales later tonight, they have the ability to pull away.
A 2-0 win over Middlesbrough at the weekend instilled some optimism into their plight for survival, although a trip to title-chasing Leeds was always going to be a tough ask.
The home team took a halftime lead thanks to a goal from Dan James, but Stoke more than held their better opponents. A much-improved second half saw an inspired Illan Meslier keep Schumacher’s men at bay, but with four minutes left, Pearson was sent off, severely hampering their hopes of finding an equalizer.
The 29-year-old was brought on as a substitute shortly before the hour mark, and he had only been on the field for just more than 30 minutes. The choices that ultimately resulted in Pearson’s termination did not sit well with the manager.
Speaking after the game, via Leeds Live, the ex-Plymouth Argyle boss said:
“Frustrating. I don’t think he needs to get involved in the first one and then the second one, there’s not a lot in it, but in places like this, the refs can’t wait to make decisions against you. They just can’t wait.
“It was obvious what he was going to do. It’s frustrating because we’re going to miss Ben again, who, when he came on the pitch, had a real big impact on it, was playing really well.”
That said, Schumacher was full of praise for the Elland Road atmosphere whilst tipping the Whites for an immediate return to the Premier League:
“It’s huge, it’s probably right up there with the best atmospheres in the country in all the leagues. It’s brilliant. I love the Leeds fans, it’s class.
“They will get to the Premier League, yes. They’re good enough, they’ve got enough individual talent, they’ve got enough experience and they’ve got a really good manager who knows how to get it done in the pressure moments.”
Stoke will be hoping to make an immediate return to winning ways when they take on a rejuvenated Preston North End at Deepdale on Saturday.