Stoke City boss Mark Hughes is determined to start realising their ambitions again.

Stoke had finished ninth three times in a row before dropping to 13th last time around, picking up fewer points and conceding more goals than in the manager's previous campaigns.

"It gets harder every year and we never underestimate that," he said.

"We've done well to continue to push and one out of four seasons when we just didn't quite exceed expectations, because prior to that is what we had been doing. It's a situation we want to improve.

"That's a challenge and we'll use it as a positive. The fact that the general perception is that we underachieved somewhat will help us to make sure it doesn't happen again."