Shawcross convinced Stoke will survive major test

Stoke City may be bottom  of the Premier League with no wins, one point and 14 goals conceded but skipper Ryan Shawcross is adamant they will pull through and soon start climbing the table.

The Potters were thrashed 4-1 by Crystal Palace on Saturday, to add to the 4-1 defeat to Manchester City, 1-0 loss at Everton and 4-0 mauling by Tottenham Hotspur.

Manager Mark Hughes is odds-on to be the next Premier League manager to be sacked, and Shawcross revealed he was livid after their latest defeat.

But the 28-year-old believes they will rediscover their form quickly ahead of Saturday’s match with West Bromwich Albion – and former boss Tony Pulis.

“It’s difficult to understand why we are losing and confidence throughout the team is not great,” he said.

Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images

“We need to have a long, hard look at ourselves and come out fighting. It’s the same team that got ninth last year and the two years before that.

“The losses affect your life at home and you are desperate for a win. We have got to stick together and, hopefully, come through it.

“We have to work hard get a bit of luck and keep some clean sheets.”