Soumare credits togetherness for Stoke's revival

Stoke City midfielder Djibril Soumare says the togetherness in the squad has helped turn their early season form around.

After losing their first three games of the Championship season, the Potters have rallied excellently, winning four of five matches before the international break to move into seventh place, two points off the top two.

Soumare, one of a number of key summer arrivals that included £10m Northern Ireland midfielder Ethan Galbraith , has been an impressive presence in Stoke's run and the former Sheffield United loanee said there was a simple reason for that.

"I felt love since day one. So I'm really enjoying it here," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I think that togetherness is really like a family on the pitch, out of the pitch. I said when I joined I still want to develop and the staff here, coaches - it was the right one for me I think.

"If it's time to be serious we're going to be serious but in the dressing room, having a laugh with the boys, is something special."

Soumare made 25 appearances for the Blades in the Championship last season and he said he returned to England from Portuguese club Braga this summer with more of an idea what to expect.

"There's still a lot to develop on my football - the intensity, because I think I'm not 100% fit yet as I didn't have a proper pre-season," he added.

"That season [with United] wasn't perfect but I learned a lot - it was my first year in England, so now I think I understand the league better and will enjoy it more.

"To be honest, I really love this team, so I'm really looking forward to score my first goal - that will be something really special for me."

Stoke return to Championship action on Saturday at Bolton Wanderers [15:00 BST].