Stoke boss Tony Pulis says this campaign is proving more difficult than their first season in the Premiership. For that reason he will be happy if his side avoid the drop.

Although their season has been unpredictable this time around, they still find themselves two places better off after a packed winter fixture list.

"I hope to God we get enough points to stay up and I'll speak about it at the end of the season because there are lots of things that happen that affect everything," said Pulis, whose side face a weekend off with their scheduled clash at Burnley now postponed.

"But the second season is unique. I've spoken to managers about it, two in particular, and what is happening is exactly what they said it would be like.

"You don't realise the degree at which it does happen, but it is definitely different.

"The first half of the season has gone, and now you are looking at the second half, and you can't predict what is going to happen."

Although delighted with his side's season so far, Pulis insists he will not get carried away until the club's top flight status is secure.

"It is that tight and that tough. I just want 40 points, and people can then buy me a nice glass of wine," he added.

"We're now 10th in the league at the halfway stage (on 24 points), and if you had given me that before the season started then I would have taken it."