Stoke boss Tony Pulis believes the experience of Jonathan Woodgate and Matthew Upson has been key to the Potters unbeaten start to the campaign. Defensively the team having conceded just one goal in their four league encounters to date.
"What's been really good is the fact that Woodgate and Upson have come in and done exceptionally well," Pulis told Sky Sports News. "Their experience alongside Ryan (Shawcross) has been what we've needed.
"We've got two young players in the heart of defence, in respect of (Asmir) Begovic and Shawcross, who are exceptionally good players and sometimes last year we lacked a little bit of experience.
"Huth is a fantastic player, but Upson and Woodgate have got the experience that we maybe didn't have last year and we've got that now.
"If you look at the start of the season, I think one of the reasons we've done so well is because we've had that cool, experienced head at the back as much as anything else."
