Fine margins prevented Potters from picking up deserved victory

STOKE City were left kicking themselves for taking one point from a home game against Norwich and drawing for the first time this season. Sorba Thomas scored the goal but they couldn’t find a second despite growing pressure. Here are the talking points from the bet365 Stadium...

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HAVING THEIR SAY: Stoke City and Norwich players have a frank exchange of views during Saturday's 1-1 draw at the bet365 Stadium.

A FRUSTRATING, ENCOURAGING AFTERNOON

The reception at full-time was probably a sign that supporters think they can see a team that is going in the right direction. Stoke penned Norwich back for much of this game without being able to go for the kill. There were a few too many nearly moments but they were, Mark Robins suggested, the most in control they have been for any game since he joined as manager.

There was plenty to be encouraged about with this performance, on the back of how Stoke have been playing through the first few weeks of the season. For the first 20-odd minutes and pretty much all of the second half, Stoke were dominant. They tried to be positive, tried to make things happen and kept going. It wasn't perfect and they were kicking themselves for missing that killer instinct to seal the win — but the mood is positive. This group of players, with a couple of key signings, has come a long way and there is expectation that trajectory will continue.