Paul Lambert: I couldn’t let “unacceptable” behaviour behind the scenes at Stoke go unpunished

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Stoke City manager Paul Lambert has criticised the behaviour of a number of senior players at the club following the Potters’ relegation to the Championship.

A 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace earlier this month saw Stoke confirmed as the first relegated side of the season after ten years in the Premier League – West Bromwich Albion and Swansea City later followed them.

Lambert took over as manager in January following the sacking of Mark Hughes, but only managed to win two of his 15 games in charge, including a final day victory at Swansea.

The former Norwich City and Aston Villa manager has taken aim at some of the “unacceptable” behaviour of certain players during his time at the club.

“Listen, there was things going on that, if I let that away, my standing would drop,” said Lambert (via the Independent).

“I was never going to have it. I’m too professional. I’ve been at big clubs myself, know how the game works, and that was unacceptable, what was going on.

“Massively unacceptable. My god, I’ve not seen anything like that.”

Sound familiar?

Lambert didn’t name any players specifically, but his words echo recent comments made by Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam.

He suggested a number of players had been “getting away with murder” all season, which had contributed to the club’s relegation.

Ibrahim Afellay was banished by Lambert in March after a training ground row, while Jese Rodriguez often failed to turn up for training and team meetings.

Saido Berahino and Kevin Wimmer were also relegated to the club’s Under-23 team after a number of issues regarding fitness and attitude.