Charlie Adam urged to show mental strength in Stoke’s relegation fight

Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam has been urged to show his mental strength as the club’s battle to beat relegation enters the final few weeks.

The Scot was sent off just 30 minutes into the 2-1 home defeat to Everton last weekend after clattering into Wayne Rooney.

That incident capped a miserable few weeks for Adam after he missed a last-minute penalty against Brighton which cost the Potters a vital three points.

First-team coach Stuart Taylor admits the staff have had to lift the 32-year-old’s spirits this week but challenged the midfielder to bounce back once he has served his three-match ban.

“It’s been a difficult week for Charlie – obviously missing the penalty before against Brighton was difficult for him, and then the sending off, so we have to pick him back up again which we will do,” Taylor told stokecityfc.com.

“He came back in earlier in the week and apologised – he obviously didn’t intend to get sent off, but that is football and it was a real blow for us to go down to 10 men.

“He’s been down, just as a few of the lads have been, and that is understandable.

“But it’s our job as coaches, and the manager as well, to pick them back up and be ready for the next game.

“Charlie has to show his mental strength now and show that he’s ready to give everything he’s got for the football club if called upon.”