Stoke attack 'now carries real threat'published at 16:07 BST
Mark Elliott
BBC Radio Stoke commentator
Image source, Getty ImagesJustin Devenny signed for Stoke from Crystal Palace on transfer deadline day
First halves can't really go much better than Stoke's against Charlton.
Justin Devenny looked a proper player on debut, scored twice and provided a key pass for another goal, and George Hirst, the club's new first-choice number nine got off the mark too.
Ethan Galbraith has channelled his inner Paul Scholes during the early weeks of his Stoke career and got his third of the season, having never scored more than six in a campaign previously.
Galbraith looks like he could get double figures in goals this term, as does Devenny.
And Hirst did that in a very good Ipswich side last season, so a team that's been short on goals for a long time now looks like it carries a real threat.
That's despite losing more than 20 goals and assists from last season in the form of Sorba Thomas on deadline day.
If anything, the change to a back three brought about in part by his departure looks like it could symbolise the start of a new era.
The work done in the transfer window and the change in system has freshened things up and a 4-0 win has created belief in those changes on the terraces.
On paper at least, they face some more favourable fixtures over the next few weeks than those they had at the start of the season, so the Potters will have the chance to turn a great week into some real momentum.




































