Source: SKY_Sports
Sidibe - I must improve
Mamady Sidibe has criticised his own performances since he returned from a two-and-a-half month lay-off due to a knee injury. The 29-year-old has started all four of the club's games since he recovered from injury but has twice found himself substituted early in the second half for fellow striker Ricardo Fuller.The Mali international has kept Fuller, who has recently recovered from a shoulder injury himself, out of the side as manager Tony Pulis has pitted Sidibe alongside new boy James Beattie up front.Despite the fact that he has netted just three times in 21 Premier League appearances, Sidibe appears to be a key man for the Potters, with the club winning only one game without him in the league this season."Playing with James Beattie is a new thing for me. I have got used to it because we play in the same way and so we have to find a way to play," he told The Sentinel."It takes time, but there are only nine games left so we have to find a way very quickly.Working hard"I also have to keep working hard to get back to my level. In the second half against Aston Villa I thought I did all right, but apart from that I think I am far away from what I was before."Although acknowledging that his partnership with Beattie can improve he admits that he has been impressed with the 31-year-old."It is not easy to come to a new club and settle as quickly as he has. He's scored five goals in eight games and proved he is a goalscorer," he added."He can smell the chances, he is really important for us and has scored important goals."One striker who failed to settle into life at the Britannia Stadium was Dave Kitson, who after signing for £5million from Reading in the summer has returned to the Royals on loan without finding the net for the Potters."I am disappointed for Dave because I think he's a really good player. But when you're a striker it is not just about playing well you also need luck in front of goal."He was unlucky and is also not used to the way we play. Not everyone can get used to that."But he's gone and I hope everything goes well for him."