Steven Schumacher hoping to repair relationship with Plymouth ...

Stoke City boss Steven Schumacher has declared his affection for Plymouth Argyle will never change and revealed he had a chance meeting with the Pilgrims' owner Simon Hallett before the Championship clash between the sides at the bet365 Stadium.

Schumacher, who quit Argyle to take over at Stoke shortly before Christmas, was the target for loud boos and derisive chants from the travelling Green Army before, during and after the Potters' 3-0 victory.

The former Pilgrims' boss had not spoken to Hallett since his sudden departure from Home Park in December, but saw him and Argyle director John Morgan when he arrived at the stadium with his wife, Victoria.

Read More: Player ratings as Argyle slump to defeat against Stoke

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Schumacher admitted his relationship with Hallett had been 'a bit raw' but believes they can remain friends going forward in the future.

The Stoke boss, whose side are now almost certainly safe from Championship relegation after beating Argyle and moving above them in the table, was asked by Plymouth Live after the match about the very rough reception he got from the Green Army.

He said: "I think it's part of football. For example, if I had been sacked at Argyle it probably wouldn't be as bad. Obviously, I made a decision that some fans don't agree with, which is fine. I understand it. I get it.

"People who are close to me, who are big Argyle fans - I have got a load of mates down there - will all understand as well. They were probably booing me too.

"Everybody understands and knows the affection I have got for Argyle and that will never change. I have seen Simon Hallett and John Morgan right before the game, when I drove in.

"I haven't spoken to Simon really since, which isn't the way we want it to be. I have just had a text from him now saying 'Really good to see you and Victoria, let's stay friends' which we will. It's obviously a bit raw, and I understand the situation but it was really good to see everyone."

Schumacher added: "I have been trying to pick the right moment to call Simon. I was going to do it this week but the pressure and everything that was on the game, I thought maybe leave it until next week.

"It was really good to see him because he knows how much I care about him and how good our relationship is, and it still will be I'm sure."

Schumacher only left Argyle four months ago but in that time Ian Foster was appointed and then sacked as head coach during a very challenging time for the club.

"I have watched the results," said Schumacher. "The performances haven't gone the way the club wanted it to go. A difficult situation. I will always have an affection for the club, but I have got a job to do here and that's where my focus has been."

Schumacher was stood in the opposite technical area to Argyle director of football Neil Dewsnip, who was a school teacher of his at a very young age before later coaching him in the Everton academy and at England youth level. There were lots of other very familiar faces around as well among Pilgrims' players and staff.

"I had my eye on this game since I came here," said Schumacher. "I would have hoped both teams would have been safe by now so there could be a bit less pressure.

"It's weird when you come up against people who are your friends. It was like that when I came up against Ryan (Lowe) at Preston earlier on in the season.

"You have this weird feeling all week in your belly, it's not nice. All that was important to try to get the result. I have got a lot of affection for Argyle and always want them to do well, but today was about Stoke, trying to get three points for our team which is what we needed."

On the match itself, Schumacher said: "It was a really good all round performance. We knew how difficult the game was going to be. I know the strengths of what Argyle can do.

"We had to make sure our performance was right because if it wasn't right we would have got hurt by Argyle. Credit to the players, they were brilliant from the first minute, won a lot of duels, won a lot of individual battles, created some good chances and showed some composure and quality, which we haven't seen too often when we have been on top here. We haven't scored in the big moments but today we did.

"The press was as high as it normally is but when you get your intensity right and when you can win them individual battles it looks better. Nothing was different, we didn't say go higher than we normally do.

"We were on it, we had a good day. We probably got Argyle on not one of their better days and that can happen. Argyle had an unbelievable win on Friday night (1-0 against Leicester City at Home Park). To go again and to get that level again is difficult in this league, it's hard to back it up.

"Our players deserve all the credit for it. They were outstanding. Even in the second half when I knew Argyle were probably going to change their shape we adjusted really well and were mature, and I think created one or two other big chances and deserved the third goal as well."

Midfielder Luke Cundle, who spent the first half of the season on loan to Argyle before switching to Stoke after Schumacher went there, did not get on the scoresheet for the Potters but was still an influential figure for them.

Schumacher said: "I know the qualities that Cunds has got. The game today, the game at Hull, suited him. It was going to be a footballing game, it was going to be a game where a running eight was going to cause the opposition problems and that's what he did all day. He played with so much energy, he had to come off with cramp in the end."

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