Disappointment highlights big strides City have made

STOKE City were beaten at the death in a tense showdown with pacesetters Coventry. Here are the talking points from the bet365 Stadium...

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LATE AGONY: Mark Robins saw his Stoke side concede late on against Coventry. Pic: Zachary Locke

The talk has been about incremental improvements at Stoke but the progress has been remarkable even if Mark Robins has been clear how much more he wants to do.

After this loss, Stoke still have more points after 15 games than they have had in any season since they were on their way to promotion in the old Division Two back in 2001/02. They haven't had a goal difference this far in the positive at any stage of any season since they won promotion from the Championship in May 2008. Supporters don't need numbers like that to understand the vibes around the club and how different they are to what they have been in recent years. It was a packed house and excitable atmosphere for a league game that meant something at the right end of the table.

There is a load of this season left and a long winter ahead but Stoke can enjoy where they've got to and be excited about, hopefully, continuing on this trajectory.