Stoke City: Key man Geoff Cameron will keep sending in crosses (original) (raw)
FIGHT CLUB: Stoke City defender Geoff Cameron gets to grips with Aston Villa's Aleksander Tonev at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday while Jon Walters, left, does a runner.
GEOFF Cameron is confident Stoke's front men will keep scoring if he can keep firing crosses into the right areas.
The 28-year-old right-back showed his importance to City's attack by playing a major role in both goals in the 2-1 win over Aston Villa.
He played in a deep free-kick for Peter Crouch to knock down for Charlie Adam to notch Stoke's first, then slipped in a low centre for Crouch to get the second.
The defender almost netted himself too, when a cross nearly dipped inside the back post mid-way through the first half, only for Brad Guzan to claw the ball to safety.
And he said: "Jon (Walters) and Peter make great runs in there, you've just got to put the ball in front of them. They'll do the job and put the ball in the back of the net.
"We came out firing in the second half and I think we needed to. We were a little flat to start. Perhaps that was something to do with the Wednesday game against Man United.
"After the first 20 minutes we looked a little stiff, but in the last 10 minutes of the first half we began to get a feel of the game and play how we wanted to play.
"And I thought after the break we pushed the game a little bit, created some opportunities and got the goal early.
"Charlie stepped in and didn't miss a beat. We needed to play better and get our legs moving a little bit. We knew we had to produce, and fortunately that's what we did."
Cameron had been on standby to play in the middle of defence if captain Ryan Shawcross had not passed a late fitness test on a groin strain.
But his willingness to drive down the right flank was crucial to Stoke restoring their lead after Erik Pieters' weak back pass had been punished by Libor Kozak.
And Cameron insists no-one will get down on Pieters, who has helped Stoke stay solid at the Britannia Stadium, conceding just six times in nine league games.
Only two clubs in the division have shipped fewer goals on their own patch this season, Hull City and Manchester City.
Cameron added: "It was unlucky by Erik. He had the right idea, the forward just read it, but we got ourselves back in the game.
"He looked over his shoulder and tried to play it to Asmir (Begovic), but the forward nipped in. It happens.
"You can't get down on him. He's a good player and the team responded well. We picked it up and closed the game out, and that's what's important.
"We were pretty solid, covering for one another. I think there's confidence building in the back.
"We all rely on one another. If one guy makes a mistake there's another guy there to cover. I think we're going all right. Everyone's on the same page and we're still being worked hard."
Referee Craig Pawson was in the spotlight as both sides claimed the other should have been reduced to 10 men.
Villa were not happy that Marc Wilson stayed on the pitch after he lost control of the ball and fouled Andreas Weimann on the edge of the Stoke penalty box.
And Stoke were bemused when Fabian Delph committed two bookable offences in a couple of minutes, only for former Port Vale loanee Chris Herd to be punished for the second.
Villa boss Paul Lambert refused to get too wound up, and no-one in the Stoke camp was complaining much at full-time either.
"They claimed Marc should have been sent off, but I don't see it. No chance," insisted Cameron.
"Delph should have been out, but it happens. It's part of the game, and you just have to roll with it."