Stoke City: Griffin remains defiant
by Michael Baggaley
DEFIANT Stoke City captain Andy Griffin says the first two months in the Premier League have shown the club is in good shape to stay up.
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Stoke City: Griffin remains defiant
City's tally of seven points from their opening eight games has left them third from bottom and failed to impress bookmakers who make them the 2/7 favourites to go down.
But Griffin says the players can take huge belief having been competitive in all their games this season.
None of City's five defeats have been by more than two goals and their stubborn performances have included gaining a 0-0 draw at Anfield.
Stoke's seven-point tally and minus five goal difference would have put them higher in 16th after eight games last season, and 15th in the 2006-2007 campaign.
Griffin said: "I know we are in the bottom three, but we are in touch with the teams above us.
"A win at Manchester City on Sunday, and, if other results go our way, we will shoot up the table.
"We've kept in touching distance, picked up some good results and had some good performances.
"Perhaps we should have had a point from each of our defeats against Everton, Portsmouth and Middlesbrough.
"We haven't, so deserve to be where we are. But we have just been promoted, this club has never been in the Premier League before, and we are holding our own."
Griffin was part of the Derby County side which only had five points at this stage having suffered 4-0, 5-0 and 6-0 defeats.
He says morale is much higher at Stoke because they haven't been thrashed by any opponents.
He said: "A lot of people would say a defeat is a defeat. But if you lose 1-0 and put in a good performance then, psychologically, it is better than getting steamrollered 6-0.
"We lost 2-0 at home to Chelsea, but came off the field thinking we'd given it our best go and had nothing to be ashamed of.
"I know we had a bit of luck in our 0-0 draw at Liverpool, but it was still a good team effort.
"We came away from Anfield with a goalless draw whereas, with Derby, we lost there 6-0.
"We are losing games, but that is tending to be through a bit of misfortune or an individual error.
"We are not going a goal or two down and then capitulating and losing by five or six.
"I'm not saying we won't get beaten by four or five in a certain game, but it won't be on a regular basis.
"I think there's too much spirit and character here to let that happen."
2 Comments
by Jolly Potter, New York
Thursday, October 23 2008, 5:31PM
“The Man City game will be interesting as they are an unpredictable team at times. Remember they beat Portsmouth 6-0 already but have only picjke up 1 point in their last 3 games. For Stoke to talk about a win there is a good sign and much better than 'playing not to lose'. We might just get something out of this game”
by Kevin, Stoke
Thursday, October 23 2008, 2:16PM
“Stoke might not have been specifically in the Premiership before but they have most certainly been in the top flight of football for many a year. Its funny how a simple word can portray many meanings isnt it? Griffin less of the confidence tricks-even I am being forced to admit you are not doing that bad for an old un.”