by Michael Baggaley
michael.baggaley@thesentinel.co.uk

DANNY Pugh was the only one of 2,800 Manchester City fans celebrating at the final whistle after this well-deserved Stoke win.

The 26-year-old Mancunian came through the youth ranks at Old Trafford, but supports the side from across town ... at least when they’re not at the Britannia.

While his fellow Man City fans trudged off to reflect on their expensively-assembled flops, Pugh was delighted to have helped Stoke get the better of Robinho, Wright-Phillips, Bellamy and Co.

He said: “They have the big names and the money. But no matter who we are playing, and what names are on the back of their shirts, we just go out there and give it our best.

“This is a fantastic result for us. Over the last few weeks we have deserved more than we have got, so to get the three points here, especially having been down to 10 men, is a great achievement for us.

“As a Man City fan, it does mean a little bit more to me. We have done well at home this season and we were confident with the crowd behind us.

“Our supporters were different class again and they were definitely a massive lift for us.”

Having been recalled at left-back in place of the injured Danny Higginbotham, Pugh demonstrated the form he was showing before he lost his place through an ankle injury in the December 28 defeat at West Ham.

Even if Higginbotham is fit for Saturday’s trip to Sunderland, Pugh could still be in the team because he also impressed after being switched to central midfield in the second half.

He said: “I had an idea on Friday that I might be playing, but you are never 100 per cent sure until the day of the game. It was great for me to get a start, especially as we got the win as well.

“It has been frustrating to have picked up a knock on my left ankle at West Ham because I had just managed to get myself in the team after a long time out.

“I don’t mind where in the team I am, I just want to play.”

Pugh can also play on the left of midfield, although that looks his least likely option
as Matthew Etherington has been in fine form since his move from West Ham.

Pugh said Etherington and fellow new signing James Beattie have made an instant impact on the squad.

He added: “They have made a big difference. They combined for our goal here, just as they did for our goal at Tottenham.

“They have settled in well and are two good lads who work hard and know what this team is about. They have also got that bit of quality.”

However, while Etherington and Beattie’s quality got the goal in first-half injury-time, it was the team’s grit and organisation which preserved the points despite playing for the best part of an hour with 10 men.

Pugh added: “Things looked against us when Rory was sent off. But ‘Beatts’ scored a great goal and then we defended brilliantly, especially towards the end.

“At half-time, the manager told us to keep tight, keep our shape and not chase them all over the pitch. But we had chances to break as well, so it wasn’t all just sitting back.

“This win is massive for us because you can see how tight the league is. But this is only one win. We need to build on this, starting by trying to get a result away from home next week.”