Embattled Stoke City boss Nathan Jones launched a staunch defence of his managerial record in likening his past teams with Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United on Saturday.
Jones watched his Potters lose 3-0 on their own patch to the Championship league leaders at bet365 Stadium and saw a likeness in his teams at previous club Luton Town.
The Hatters rose from League Two to the Championship with back-to-back promotions in 2018 and 2019, much of which was managed by Jones.
With his current Stoke at the bottom of the table, Jones saw fit to remind the media he’s made teams like Bielsa’s in the past.
Asked if the scoreline flattered United, Jones said: “No, I wouldn’t say it flattered them.
“For 40-odd minutes we really competed and really looked disciplined, but their mentality is different from ours.
“That’s maybe the manager. It might be my fault. We’ll evaluate everything, but their mentality is different and that comes from winning games.
“As I said, I’ve had that mentality in the past where you’re relentless where at 2-0 up you’re making positive changes to win three, four, five.
“I’ve done that, won 8-2, 7-0, 7-1, 5-0, 4-0s, 4-1s, 5-1s all over the country. Never lost to Championship sides, beat Leeds, beat Aston Villa.
“We had that mentality and that’s difficult to get. It took me a while to get that mentality and they’re a relentless group.”
Asked about his approach with one striker at home, Jones again made reference to his past and his experience of the success United are seeing now.
"Leeds go man for man with you all over, so we tried to do something a little bit different,” he said.
“We tried to make sure we were secure because they make a lot of forward runs and they carve teams open.
“They’re a good side. I came from a side that did exactly the same at the level below to what Leeds do to teams here.
“They are relentless, absolutely relentless. That’s a mentality, that’s an athleticism. At the minute we’re not at that level.”
