By John Lyons

There was always a feeling that Michael O’Neill needed to get off to a good start at Stoke this season.
Having rejuvenated the club when he first took over in late 2019 and kept them in the Championship that season, consecutive 14th-place finishes had dampened spirits.

The Potters’ top brass wanted more and supporters’ grumbles were growing. One win from their opening five league matches was not what was required to silence the doubters and last week’s 1-0 home defeat to Sunderland proved the death knell.

While thankful to O’Neill for reshaping a bloated and under-performing ...