Stoke boss Tony Pulis claims the Potters performance at Everton proved they are a better footballing side than last season - but he does not expect them to get the credit. Stoke were seen as reliant on the long ball game last season but statistics this campaign show they are becoming a passing side.
He said: "Our away form was poor last season, but apart from when we went to Liverpool and got battered, we have done better this term.
"We got good away points at Birmingham and Bolton and now we have got another one at a very difficult place like Everton.
"We have an international break now before we play West Ham at the Britannia stadium. They may be in the bottom three, but I watched them at Manchester City recently and they passed the ball really well.
"If we turn up expecting a stroll in the park we will be in for a nasty shock."
He added: "We have improved on last season, maybe there was a bit of novelty value about us last season but this time around we are better than we were.
"We feel that and we have shown that, but if we want to do it consistently it is all about being consistent. There is no point talking about it if we don't back it up with our actions.
"Everton were so much better than us last season, but this time we seemed a bit more comfortable and were able to cope.
"We are passing the ball, getting our head up. Some people don't think we can do that, but I don't give a damn about that because I know what we are capable of."