'Stoke ahead of schedule for promotion ambitions'

Stoke City's second half performance showed just how good they can be when they play with tempo and bravery when it comes to their decision making in possession.

After half-time, already leading Preston by a single goal to nil, they were much more willing to choose a forward pass and trust their technical ability in playing through the lines.

In turn, they created a hatful of chances and could and probably should have won by three or four goals.

Defensively, nobody had conceded fewer goals than Stoke since the start of September and their young back three, with plenty of room still to grow, have been vital during a brilliant run of form that now spans 10 games.

Preston have been poor all season and it's difficult not to fear for them but Stoke dismissed them relatively comfortably.

Away games at Blackburn and Portsmouth will provide tougher tests over the next week but since the opening three games of the season provoked a change of system and late summer squad overhaul, they've taken an average of 2.3 points per game.

1.5 over the course of the season should be enough to secure a play off place so the Potters are already ahead of schedule given their stated pre-season ambitions.

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