Promising signs, but Potters are only three games into marathon

STOKE City are top of the Championship after three games of the season, with results and performances to back up a positive mood around the club and fanbase.

- Peter Smith

They haven't tasted being top for 17 years and haven't won their opening three league games in a row for 27-heck, they have barely won three in a row at any stage of the season over the last few years. So the big question is, will it last? Have Stoke genuinely managed to turn the ship around?

"I think it’s too early to say something because it's just three games," said left-back and voice of reason Eric Bocat.

"We have started really nice, really good, but we know we have 43 games left in the league. That's a long way to go! Obviously it's a good feeling to be top of the league now and everyone is playing to win every game. That's what can drive us and give us a taste of being there.

"But we don’t put pressure on us. We just have to keep doing our jobs every day.

"We just need to be calm and focused on what we do. If we start jumping steps it's not going to be good for us. I can understand a fan being excited from the start of the season because that's normal - and even I am excited to be honest - but we need to keep driving each other, keep working and stay calm in our head and our mind.

"We know what we went through last season and we don’t want to do that again."

That's all well and true but Bocat can also be our guide through reasons why Boothen Enders have an extra spring in their step.

STOKE LOOK LIKE SCORING GOALS

Stoke only scored 45 times in 46 league games last season. There were 18 (eighteen!) league matches when they didn’t score. That puts such huge pressure on the defence, knowing that if they concede they've probably lost.

It isn’t an entirely new-look attack this time around but there are big new elements in it, particularly Sorba Thomas, who has made an electric start on the left wing with two goals, three assists and playing a big part in another. Divin Mubama, red card aside, is showing very encouraging centre-forward instincts.