By Aston
April 8 2006

Reaction from Town manager Joe Royle following Town’s humiliating 4-1 defeat against Stoke City earlier today.

Royle: “Collectively we went missing in midfield and it was hard to pick a man of the match. Some of our best players were our defenders but even they caved in at the end.

 

“Darel Russell has four shots on goal before anyone realised that we had to go with him. It pains me to say it but Stoke were more passionate and more energetic. It was hard to understand but it looked like they wanted it more.

 

“It could have been 2-2 but no penalty was given when Danny Haynes was tripped but I am not making that an excuse. It didn't affect the result. Decisions haven't been going for us this season so maybe next season it will be different.

 

“Owen Garvan has needed a rest for a few weeks now while I am grateful to Adam Lee for playing through his injury. Saying that we lacked threat upfront until Danny Haynes came on.

 

“I know we are in cyberspace in mid-table but the crowd were leaving long before the end and I cannot blame them.

 

“The second Stoke goal was offside but that didn't alter the fact that our performance was unacceptable.”

 

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