The big positive for me was when we got the ball we created more than Stoke did with Allen, Clucas, Woods, Ndiaye and Ince in their midfield. The spending on those players must be way and above what our midfield took to construct.

Ndiaye alone cost them a reported £14m. Add to that Joe Allen (£13m), Ince (£10m), Woods was value at around £6-7m when the Jacks were after him last year and Clucas cost them £6m. Our midfield created more than that midfield which cost approximately £50m.

Madine had his best game for some time and the defence were solid. I have knocked Flint for mistakes previously but I thought he was solid and retained his position better and didn't get dragged around as much.

I think we are trying to play more football and I'll take a win over a Stoke team with that level of talent (in a false league position I feel) that have won their last two games every day. 4 points from the first 2 games and remaining unbeaten after a nightmare few defensive lapses at Charlton is a solid start. Last night was not a vintage performance but, as has been said, he isn't going to turn a team that have had anti-football drummed into them into Barcelona overnight.