Stoke City are about to kick-off a mini-season according to manager Tony Pulis.
The Potters dropped to 16th following Sunday's 2-0 home defeat to Manchester United and will now undertake a new season within a season in a bid to stave off relegation.
"I've just spoken to the players. It's a five-game season," Pulis told Sky Sports.
"There's eight, maybe nine teams that are in the scrap and we've just got to make sure, no matter what's happened before, the season really starts for us now. I still say 40 points will do it."
The Potters have recorded 34 points from 33 matches, equal with 17th-placed Aston Villa, but three ahead of Wigan Athletic who find themselves in the drop zone but have two games in hand.
