Paul Lambert rues bad luck and says Stoke are in survival fight
Monday 16 April 2018 23:21, UK
Paul Lambert remained upbeat on Stoke City's survival chances despite Andy Carroll's 90th-minute goal denying them victory at West Ham on Monday night.
Peter Crouch's 79th-minute goal looked set to see the Potters move within one win of safety with four games to play, but they are now five points adrift of 17th-placed Swansea who have a game in hand.
Stoke's position looks perilous after they failed to pick up a win in their last 10 matches, but their manager believes they are still in the scrap to stay up this season.
"I'm really proud of the team and if we keep doing what we're doing then we will certainly be in the mix," Lambert told Sky Sports.
"I have great belief. We've had some really good games and we've just been really unfortunate with Lady Luck.
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"With effort, commitment and the way we are playing then we will see what happens.
"I've never really had a problem with lifting the lads. They have been an absolute credit to the club in the way they've worked and the way they are doing everything to stay in the league.
"If they'd done that at the start of the season there'd be no way they'd be in this position, absolutely no way.
"I came in at a late time, but I absolutely love it and we are well in the fight."
Lambert's only Premier League victory came in his first match against Huddersfield on January 20, but he is insistent that they have been unlucky in recent fixtures.
And he says they can earn the points they need from their remaining games against Burnley, Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Swansea.
Lambert said: "We've been playing really well and we are well in the fight. You can see it with the supporters, who are right behind us.
"If we can get a win on Sunday then it really sets the cat among the pigeons, that's for sure.
"All managers and players and teams need a little bit of Lady Luck to have success and it has evaded us, not just in this one but in a few other games.
"As long as we don't give up, if we keep that level of commitment and performance then nobody can ever point the finger at us.
"But we are right in the fight, make no mistake about it."
