Steven Schumacher lifts lid on key ‘conversations’ behind Stoke City’s big Hull victory

Reaction at MKM Stadium following Stoke City’s 2-0 victory over Hull

Stoke City stunned play-off contender Hull with goals from Josh Laurent and Ki-Jana Hoever, as the 2-0 victory moved them five points clear of the relegation zone. They now want to cap off a crucial Easter weekend when they host Huddersfield Town, who are currently in third place, on Monday.

Stoke produce exactly what was needed

Everything Stoke was here, not opposed to Norwich. Aggressive and cooperative, yet logical. It was the ideal reaction to an afternoon that had caused almost twenty thousand people to become extremely anxious over the previous two weeks.

They started the first half with a lot of energy and without really appearing to be able to put Hull through any resistance. However, as Hull attacked harder in the second half, Stoke was able to withstand the pressure and appear somewhat dangerous when they broke free. They then took advantage of a set play to take the lead.

From Daniel Iversen’s positioning and attentiveness to the defenders and midfielders in front of him who were ready to make interceptions and blocks or just sit tight, it required a lot of effort to deny Hull a shot on goal.

And a well-executed goal in front of a sold-out away end completed the picture. Fantastic.

Eight teams were separated by five points at the end of the international break. Suddenly, Stoke has a very real opportunity of moving eight points ahead of danger in the four days following the restart.

On paper, they appear to have completed the more difficult portion of this double header, but anyone familiar with Stoke would not believe that.

REACTION: Hull 0 Stoke 2

RATINGS: Marks out of 10 for Stoke in win over Hull

Steven Schumacher explains selection

Hull was Ryan Mmaee’s first start since Birmingham (h) on January 20, Enda Stevens’ first start since Sheff Wed (h) on December 9, Sead Haksabanovic’s first start since Sunderland (a) on January 27, Mehdi Leris’s first start since Leicester (h) on February 3 and Luke Cundle’s first start since Cardiff (a) on February 24.

So surprise and then appreciation all round that it worked.

Schumacher said: “We’ve got a big squad here at this club and I can’t pick everyone every week. I have to pick a starting XI. In the last four games we’ve played, we’ve played well in three and not so well in the last, and it’s hard sometimes when you stick with the same team and players can get frustrated when they are training well, wondering when they’re going to get an opportunity.

“Over the international break I had a few conversations with a few of the lads who started today and said they will get a chance so stick with it, when you get a chance you’ve got to take it. When we picked the team and spoke to the players about it yesterday it was then over to them to step up and show that they deserved to be in the team. I think everyone who came into the team was excellent, none more so than Enda Stevens, who I thought was brilliant.”

Josh Laurent finally gets first league goal of term

Josh Laurent has been getting into a few decent positions since he returned from injury but the first at Hull was his first in the league this season.

Schumacher said: “He was good, really good, especially after getting a yellow card in the first half which probably wasn’t a yellow card. I felt he got the ball but he got a yellow card. He had to use his brains because he was closing down and getting people under pressure, which is what he’s really good at, without fouling again. It was a captain’s performance. He was in the right place at the right time, where he needs to be from a set play, and he gets his goal. He deserved that. His performance was outstanding. He’s worked so hard for the team and I think everyone did that.

“It was a whole team performance and that was what it was going to take because these are a top side. This is a hard place to come and that’s what it was going to take.”

Ki-Jana Hoever enjoys his moment

It’s been a difficult season at times for Hoever, still only 22 and in his first full campaign of regular senior action. He’s had to learn from mistakes and have a thick skin.

“The last five games I think Ki-Jana has done really well,” said Schumacher. “He’s got so much talent. He’s played in the Premier League and at times he looks like a Premier League player and at other times he just falls below because sometimes he can lose concentration and that can affect confidence. In the last few games I think he’s been brilliant and he’s shown that today. It wasn’t an easy start for him because Zaroury got away from him the first couple of times but he stuck to it, he showed good character. I’m really pleased for him to get a goal as well. It was opening day since the last time he scored. Good for him as well.”