Giant leaps on the field, expectation in the stands

Since our promotion in May 2008, one of the main talking points in the eyes of the media has been the ferocious support created by the Potters fanbase home and away, the Stoke fans have jumped on board and accepted the challenge ahead, and have done their best to make the Britannia Stadium an intimidating place to visit. However, with success comes expectation, and there is no doubting that the famous bear-pit of noise and hostility has lost it's atmospheric way of late.

Even now, I treat most points we gain in this division as well earned, the standard of opposition is increasing by the season, and no fixture is a gimmie. I took a similar mentality into this season than I did of last-season's over-achieving 12th place finish, and that is of acceptance that we are still a small fish in a big pond, we don't have the finances and status many sides have, and we aren't a stable and safe premiership outfit this season until mathematically proven so.

One thing you will find with a Tony Pulis side, is that complacency does not creep into our game, ok, performances drop from time to time, and results don't go as planned, but that's football, teams have rough spells over 38 games, and these are the times when the support is most needed. The complacency is evident though, and not on the pitch, but in the stands. Stoke City have achieved a lot in a short-space of time, and have taken great steps, and unfortunately a selection of the supporters have taken these steps aswell in terms of expectation, they've tasted success, and they want more and more, and wont settle for mid-table obscurity for the time being whilst we stabilise ourselves as a secure premiership outfit.

Fans were quick to point out when we were promoted, that we can't and wont start thinking about " pushing on " until we have stabilised ourself over two seasons, a proportion aren't being true to their word, if they are prepared to boo the players off for going in at 0-0 at HT.

The players have said themselves they feed off the bombardment of support from the passionate fans, and whether we choose to believe it or not, a cry of praise for a player from the supporters can make them find that extra 10% when it counts, our home form last-season coincides with the atmosphere we created without a doubt, and ultimately, home form kept us in the division.

I think one of the big frustrations amongst fans is Pulis's seeming lack of willingness to evolve our approach during games, I've always took the philosophy that winning ugly is just as rewarding as winning playing flowing football, the same points are rewarded afterall. People say were are too one-dimensional, it's argueable, but why have physical and arial attributes, and then not use them to your strengths? Despite many's dispondant view on the Tuncay saga, I still remain confident he has a future at Stoke, and I'm sure his signing was one of intent to bring another dimension to our game over time, for whatever reason Pulis doesn't believe we have the full ingredients to adapt a new approach yet, and you've got to trust his decision, afterall, he's earnt our trust.

I really do have a firm mind-set on just how important unity and togetherness can be, for me, our good dressing-room has been one of the pinnacle's to our success, from promotion to survival. All looks rosey in 9th place, and once again we are producing more than expected, but the fans need to stay with the players and carry them over the line, constructive criticism is fair and understandable, but negativity just isn't necessary.

I've become extremely proud of the orchestra of noise and passion that has echoed out of our stadium over recent times, let's dig in and find that extra noise level again.