Steven Schumacher was encouraged by Stoke City’s willingness to fight as they came from behind to grab what could be a crucial point at relegation rivals Sheffield Wednesday.
Stoke stay three points ahead of Wednesday, or as good as four with goal difference, after Luke Cundle came off the bench to score an equaliser in a 1-1 draw at a packed Hillsborough.
That is three games out of the last four when Stoke – who have been criticised this season for their reaction to going a goal down – have recovered from losing positions to get draws.
“You can see the fight is there, definitely,” said Schumacher. “The first half was tough and we could have buckled and gone under but we didn’t. I thought in the second half we were better, in the game. They got themselves in front but our heads didn’t drop. We needed to go a bit more attacking and I think that suited us once the game opened up.
“We got Million (Manhoef) on the ball once or twice as space opened up as the game went on, which tends to happen. We would have obviously liked three points but a point here was ok.”
Results elsewhere – including Plymouth beating Leicester and Blackburn winning at Leeds – are keeping everyone guessing about how one of the tightest relegation battles of all-time in this division is going to eventually pan out.
Stoke (-19 goal difference) are now 20th, three points above Wednesday (-31) and Huddersfield Town (-23), two above Birmingham (-16) and level with Queens Park Rangers (-17). Plymouth (-8), who Stoke play next weekend, are one point better off while Blackburn (-14) are one point ahead of them. Millwall (-13) are a point further on.
Schumacher said: “We knew it was going to be so important not to lose this game. If Sheffield Wednesday had won they would have gone level on points with us although I know they would have been behind us on goal difference. It was dead important to stay with that cushion and gap.
“We thought (before this weekend) we needed four points, we might need more than that with how results go but that’s another point in the right direction. We’ve now got three games to go and each one is going to be massive.”
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