Niedzwiecki happy to receive backing of new Stoke boss

Joe Williams

Eddie Niedzwiecki paid tribute to incoming Stoke City boss Paul Lambert for giving him enough “respect” to take sole charge of their match against Manchester United.

The Potters lost 3-0 to the Red Devils after goals from Antonio Valencia, Anthony Martial and Romelu Lukaku saw Stoke remain in the Premier League relegation zone.

Lambert has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract at the Bet365 Stadium after Mark Hughes was sacked earlier this month.

“I was proud of them,” said Niedzwiecki on Sky Sports. “I thought we started really well. But they’re clinical and so much quality. We worked to a plan and for the first goal we didn’t do that plan.

“You have to be clinical at this level and when you play the top teams yo have to take those chances.

“I thought we showed really good signs for the new manage – I thought the right-back (Moritz Bauer) was outstanding. I thought the guys in midfield worked their socks off.

“Paul Lambert told me before the game he wasn’t going to get involved and he paid me that respect.

“He came in at the end of the game. I said my piece. It’s a big challenge staying in he Premier League. We’re still in the pack and now’s the time for everyone to get behind their new manager.”