Many of us really underestimated the worth of TP when he was appointed and missed the point of his statements about a 40 point target...

He's played the long game - stabilise the defence and build a team that can soak up pressure, pick up points from draws and scrape the odd 1-0.

Then, as the confidence builds, and the points tally increases, start freeing up the full backs and wingers to create chances, and then start encouraging the team to keep possession and pass.

It seems so simple, but it's common sense. Supporting this is the hard work ethic which he demands and we have a squad of players whose attitude means that they respond perfectly to this way of working.

Contrast this to the managerial appointments of Cardiff, Fulham, Sunderland, West Brom and Norwich.

I have a sneaky feeling that TP's ambition for us this season is not just to avoid relegation, but to push Stoke hard for 10th position.