Pardew believes last season's result at Stoke can be partly put down to giving Tony Pulis' side the psychological advantage. The Britannia Stadium is considered one of the toughest trips in the Premier League because of a combination of the Potters' physical prowess and their vocal fans. Pardew said: "Physically and mentally it's a test, and it's a test we failed last year, and I must take some blame for that defeat. "It was probably the only game that got away from us, and maybe I put too much emphasis on what Stoke did rather than hurting them, and I won't make that mistake again, but it's still very difficult to defend against and we need our warriors and we need people to stand up and concentrate." While Stoke's threat from corners and Rory Delap's long throws has been endlessly highlighted, Pardew stressed they have more a lot more strings to their bow than simply a talent for set-pieces. The Newcastle boss believes wingers Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant present just as big a threat to his side, along with strikers Peter Crouch, Kenwyne Jones and Jon Walters. "Matty Etherington did absolutely brilliantly for me at West Ham and is a fine player, and Pennant on the other side," said Pardew. "There aren't many sides who play with two wingers and two strikers, and therefore they put you under a lot of pressure. They're going to score goals, so you have to defend very, very well. "They've got the bonus of the long throw, and a team with an average height of about 6ft 7in, so it's difficult. It's a difficult place to get anything, and, after Tottenham at home, I think our toughest game this season." Pardew knows his opposite number at Stoke, Tony Pulis, very well and has nothing but admiration for the job the Welshman has done in the Potteries. Having been favourites to go straight back down following their surprise promotion in 2008, Stoke comprehensively proved the doubters wrong by finishing 12th and have built on that over the last two seasons, reaching the FA Cup final in May to qualify for the Europa League. Pardew thinks one of the secrets to Pulis' success has been an astute eye in the transfer market, highlighting the signing of Walters from Ipswich last summer for £2.75million. Pardew added: "What he's done at Stoke, when he has had a bit of cash, he's used it very well. They very rarely waste money on a player. "Walters is a good example of plucking a player from the Football League who's turned out to be a top Premier League player. Hats off to him and his staff. They're in a position, even more so than us, where you would guarantee them a top-10 finish."
