Mid-season report: Stoke City

Having finished a disappointing 14th in the Premier League in the previous season, it would be fair to state that Tony Pulis would have been looking for improvement in the new campaign.

It was a fairly quiet summer in terms of transfers, although Charlie Adam and Michael Owen both arrived to add quality and numbers to a thin squad. They also managed to keep hold of skipper Ryan Shawcross despite interest from big clubs at home and abroad.

The Potters have continued their impressive home form this season, but have certainly found goals hard to come by with Peter Crouch hitting the back of the net just four times this season.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at their season to date to evaluate whether they have improved on last season's form.

August

Their season began with back-to-back draws against Reading and Arsenal and it immediately became apparent where they would prosper and struggle in the new season.

Just the one league goal arrived in their first two matches, but they also conceded just a single strike to demonstrate their defensive ability, with Robert Huth and Shawcross the cornerstones of their back four.

However, they did suffer disappointment at the end of the month when they were dumped out of the League Cup at home to Swindon Town.

There were some positives with Adam fitting into the side, but Michael Kightly was struggling to come to terms with their brand of football.

September

They continued their unbeaten run in the Premier League with back-to-back draws against Wigan Athletic and Manchester City at the beginning of September. However, they were brought back down to earth with a 1-0 defeat at Chelsea on September 22.

Their first three points of the season did arrive at the end of the month, however, with a 2-0 success over Swansea City. That match brought a double for Crouch, who was enjoying the early stages of the new season.

October

October also began in encouraging fashion with a 0-0 draw away to Liverpool, but they were then beaten 4-2 away to Manchester United having taken the lead at Old Trafford.

The end of the month brought more disappointment as they could only register a 0-0 home draw against Sunderland with their strikers struggling to hit the back of the net.

However, aside from the defeat to Manchester United, they continued their impressive defensive showing with Geoff Cameron also forming part of a tight back four.

November

November also started in disappointing fashion as they were beaten away to Norwich City, but their form took a turn for the better in the remainder of the month.

Three vital points followed against Queens Park Rangers before they picked up a welcome away point to West Ham United. They were then victorious in their remaining two league fixtures of the month against Fulham and Newcastle United.

Owen's continued injury problems meant that he was restricted to just a couple of substitute appearances, but the entire team were beginning to pitch in with their share of the goals.

December

They made it three straight wins in the league and four wins from their last five when they won away to high-flying West Bromwich Albion at the beginning of the month. However, they have now gone three league matches without a win.

A 0-0 draw away to Aston Villa was followed by a 1-1 draw against Everton. They continued their eight-match unbeaten run away to Tottenham Hotspur on the final weekend before Christmas, but goals continued to remain at a premium.

They then welcomed Liverpool to the Britannia on Boxing Day and despite falling behind to an early Steven Gerrard penalty, they secured all three points to move up to eighth spot in the table.