The Potters have collected just a single point in December so far and never looked like adding to that tally once Martin Petrov had put Manchester City ahead and en route to a 2-0 win at Eastlands yesterday. It left them with just Monday's game against in-form Birmingham to try to end the year on a high note and edge away from an increasingly congested scrap to avoid the relegation spots. Yet Pulis is not getting too concerned. While a failure to beat Wigan on home soil was a disappointment, defeats at Arsenal, Aston Villa and City were only what was expected given the respective imbalance in financial resources, and the fact each of those clubs is having a generally decent campaign. "We have had a tough run of games," Pulis said. "Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City all away from home, with just one match at home in the middle is very difficult. "But, as a Premier League club you just have to accept there will be a run of games where it is going to be difficult to pick points up. "Now we have a run of home matches, which are going to be crucial." Indeed, Pulis can find plenty of positives. As always, Stoke have competed furiously and, with a bit of good fortune, or a bit more composure, might easily have gained more of a reward than a pat on the back and a message of bad luck. It was the same on Saturday. City were hardly dominant, even with new manager Roberto Mancini to impress. But the clear-cut opportunity Tuncay had to break the deadlock before Petrov struck was turned away by Shay Given's excellent feet-first save. A second fine stop denied James Beattie when Stoke were building up a head of steam after the interval, by which time Carlos Tevez had doubled City's advantage, leaving Pulis to ponder what might have been. "We have actually done quite well in all of those games," he said. "We could have got something out of them if we had been a bit more clinical. "Games are won and lost in both boxes and we certainly have got to improve in those areas. "It is a problem because we need to score goals but at least we are creating chances." With Glenn Whelan and Salif Diao both suspended after picking up their fifth bookings of the campaign, Pulis will be forced to make chances for the clash with Alex McLeish's men. He might have taken that course of action anyway given the swift turnaround, although at least he knows Stoke will not be the only ones struggling to get through another game after Birmingham's fine effort against Chelsea. "We need some fresh legs," said Pulis. "Two tough matches in 48 hours is a big ask for anyone."
