Trio have proved to be leading lights to help Potters to make a superb start to the new season

STOKE City have blown a raspberry at pundits' predictions and made a strong start to their full season under Mark Robins.

- Peter Smith

The Potters have picked up 27 points from their first 15 league matches to sit third in the Championship during this international break. Robins has been sure to hammer home that it's just a start but a third of the campaign is no flash in the pan.

Stoke have the best defensive record in the division, only league leaders Coventry have won more games and there is a feel good factor coming back around the bet365 Stadium.

One of the biggest differences as we've put together this half-term report is how few players the manager has called upon so far in the league - 20, compared with 31 at Southampton. Stoke used 27 themselves last year as injuries bit and there has been a major turnaround in availability.

Here is how players have been getting on so far..

(11 starts, 1 sub, 4 goals, 1 assist)

Seemed like his time at Stoke was up when Steven Schumacher sent him to Blackburn on loan but has repaid Robins' faith with 10 goals in 32 games since being recalled in January. The 30-year-old taking on responsibility in central midfield and putting in big shifts. Just has to make sure he keeps getting into positions where he can pull the trigger.. 7.5

(3 starts, 4 sub)

The 26-year-old slipped to number two in left-back pecking order and Carabao Cup and Millwall games did little to challenge that. Much better at Oxford and has to show he can defend back post as well as support Sorba Thomas if he is to take a chance when it comes. 5.5

(2 starts, 8 sub)

A big adjustment to blood and thunder of Championship, after living through crises at Boavista. The 25-year-old striker has shown glimpses of how he can get into dangerous positions and needs to show a ruthless scoring instinct.... 5.5

(2 starts, 8 sub, 1 assist)