Lack of cutting edge cost Everton FC against Stoke, says Jack Rodwell

Dec 5 2011 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo

Lack of cutting edge cost Everton FC against Stoke, says Jack Rodwell

JACK RODWELL admitted Everton’s lack of cutting edge came back to haunt them as they slumped to a dismal defeat against Stoke City at Goodison Park.

The England midfielder returned to the action as a second half substitute following a two-week injury lay-off, but was unable to help his side to a third consecutive victory.

Rodwell acknowledged that the Blues simply did not have enough incision in the final third, as Tony Pulis’ men clung onto their 1-0 lead, courtesy of Robert Huth’s first half deflected goal.

He said: “It was disappointing – especially at home where we want to be picking up as many points as possible.

“We put a couple of crosses in here and there, we were huffing and puffing but we didn’t make clear cut opportunities. It was frustrating.

“We went down to an unlucky goal – a deflection and didn’t have much luck. Stoke are a big physical side and we know they’re good from set pieces – they scored from one.

“But we’ve got to play our own game, and we didn’t manage to do that. We didn’t play enough football in and around the box.”

Rodwell said he took heart from his own return from a rib injury, even if the Blues missed another casualty in Louis Saha who was ruled out with a rib injury picked up in training.

He said: “On a positive note I’m back from a two week injury and looking forward to the next game. But Louis is a big player for us with his creativity on the edge of the box, it’s tough missing big players and it’ll always affect you. Tolis played and he’s been scoring a few, he did well. He’s such a young lad and has time on his side to keep improving and hopefully he can keep doing that.”

Rodwell remains confident Everton will shrug off the setback. “We didn’t deserve to lose but that’s football and we have to bounce back as quickly as possible,” he said. “We’ve got Arsenal next week and we need to train well, and be confident. They’re a difficult prospect but so were Stoke.

“We’ve had a couple of big wins before this, and we’re still confident.”

Meanwhile, it was an emotional afternoon at Goodison, when Gary Speed’s father Roger took to the pitch to lead a minute of applause to his son whose death has shocked football.