New Stoke City signing Michael Tonge is convinced they can beat the drop this season.

The former Sheffield United midfielder told The Sentinel: "I think we have a good chance. We could have started the season unbeaten and still had the same three points, so picking up those wins is massive.

"You have to accept that sometimes the team you are against is a good force and you can't win every game.

"But you have to make sure that, when you come up against a team in and around you, you make sure you win your own mini-league.

"That's what we have been looking to do, but we have already beaten a big team in Aston Villa.

"It will be a tough season, but I think we can stay up."