The Tigers claimed a big win on the road to move to within a point of the top six
Boss Mark Robins is expecting a mass brawl at the end of Stoke City’s 2-1 defeat at home to Hull City to result in fines for both clubs after ugly scenes marred a dramatic win on the road for the Tigers.
The Potters’ boss also accused a member of the Tigers’ management team of inflaming the ugly scenes following City’s comeback win courtesy of Joe Gelhardt’s last-gasp winner.
Robins absolved his own players of blame, though several objects appeared to be thrown by home fans angered by visiting players celebrating in front of them, while one spectator at the Boothen End appeared to try and get to John Lundstram.
It was an unsavoury conclusion to a controversial game sparked by Sorba Thomas’s first-half wonder goal and a contentious Semi Ajayi equaliser after 47 minutes, though the away side should have been given an early penalty after an obvious foul by Ashley Phillips on Matt Crooks.
“I spoke to the referee (Leigh Doughty) who said one of their players had incited the crowd by celebrating in front of them,” explained Robins. “The crowd has then got up.
“Ash (Phillips) got involved somehow, which is what happens in incendiary situations, having just lost with emotions high. It then starts to calm down before one of their management team gets involved, says something, then it all lights again. It’s nothing to do with my players, but on the back of it, we will get fined, which is an absolute joke.”
Stoke’s defeat to Sergej Jakirovic’s men was their third in four games, and Robins added: “We want Premier League football and as soon as we possibly can.
“But you can’t have it if you are not ready for it. I think we are better than that. But if they are content to be a mid-table team, then they are not going to last long. I’m that frustrated because this is a huge opportunity.”
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