Stoke City boss Tony Pulis isn't panicking after their 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Hartlepool.

Pulis was philosophical in defeat after making seven changes to the side which lost at West Ham on Sunday and seeing his slide slip to a fourth successive loss in all competitions.

He said: "It was disappointing. I didn't think there was much in the game in the first half - if anything, I thought we were the better team.

"Then when they got their goal, from that point onwards, I thought Hartlepool were the better team and deserved to win.

"I have to say, January is our toughest month - we play Liverpool, Chelsea and then Tottenham away, so January is our toughest month.

"It's going to be a tough couple of weeks by the looks of things.

"But I have been there before, I have done it, I know what it's all about. You have got to make sure you keep your head and keep pushing and driving the lads forward."