Shawcross shrugs off criticism

Shawcross shrugs off criticism

Published Mar. 23, 2011 9:15 a.m. ET

All six of Stoke's Premier League goals since January 4 had come from set pieces until they scored three from open play in Saturday's 4-0 thrashing of Newcastle. Shawcross, though, does not see any problem with his side's expertise in dead ball situations. "We play some good stuff, but we do capitalise on set-pieces. We have quite a few players over six foot, so why shouldn't we use set-pieces like we do? "I don't think we should be criticised for that. So long as you win and get three points, then it doesn't matter how the goals go in. "Most teams come here prepared for the battle - and usually they go home disappointed because we perform." Shawcross also insists Stoke have far more to their game than set pieces, as proven by their regular use of Jermaine Pennant and Matthew Etherington on the wings. "We have evolved," he added. "We have got wingers in and better players, so we are going to try to play more attractive football. "But we are still going to stick to our principles. That is to try to get the ball forward and play in their half. "The press do have a thought of how we play and obviously they don't like it. But I am sure the Stoke fans would agree that so long as we are doing well, it doesn't matter."

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