Stoke City summer signing explains new role that ‘might look a bit strange’ as he follows Alex Neil orders
News from the bet365 Stadium as Stoke City prepare for Championship clash against Cardiff
Michael Rose is enjoying his new, tweaked role at Stoke City as he laps up extra responsibility being placed in him by Alex Neil.
The summer signing has shifted to the left of central defence to partner Luke McNally following a nasty injury to Ben Wilmot – and also tasked Rose with doing a Larus Sigurdsson-style close-marking job on the opponents’ key men such as Leeds’ Joel Piroe. It has helped Stoke secure three wins with just one goal conceded in their last three games and, if Rose’s mates are wondering why he’s not where they would normally expect at times, he is only following orders
“It’s been a little bit different for me because I’ve had to go on the left side and the gaffer has given me a little bit of a different role,” he said. “For example, against Leeds, I had to drop in with Piroe and at times I was kind of in the middle of the pitch and following him about all over the place. It probably looked a little bit strange if you’re watching. I’ve had that sort of role where I have to go all the way but I’m, I’m comfortable doing it and it’s worked.
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“Playing with Ben and Luke is pretty similar. We’re all similar guys and I’m confident. We’ve got Ciaran coming in now who’s got loads of experience and he’s only going to help all three of us as well. It’s looking good.”
He added: “He’s probably put a little bit more responsibility on me, which I don’t mind, I like.
“It’s been a little bit different because I’ve not been, I don’t think I’ve probably done it before where I’ve had to go all the way in basically just man-mark somebody for most of the game. I had to do it against Sunderland too and the last three have all been quite similar games. I think I’ve done it pretty well but it
just probably looks a bit weird when you’re watching and I’m just running about everywhere. It’s a way to set up and help lock teams in and stop them getting out, which is good. It all starts from the front, then goes back to the midfield and obviously I’ve got to go up as well.
