DEADLINE day arrival Charlie Adam says he has already seen enough of his new Stoke City team-mates to suggest that they are capable of breaking into the Premier League’s top-ten for the first time this season.
The Scotland international put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal at the Britannia Stadium last Friday, just 24 hours before starring for his new side as they held in-form Wigan Athletic to a 2-2 draw at the DW Stadium.
Adam, 26, stepped off the bench to make his City debut against the Latics to help inspire the Potters to come from behind, and extend their unbeaten start to the new league campaign to three matches.
“It was great to come on and make my debut,” he told Stoke City Player. “I am a little disappointed with the result though, because I think we edged the game and should have nicked it really, and taken the three points.
“After the initial period we took charge of the game and looked the more likely team to score goals. We had a lot of chances, but it just didn’t fall for us. Hopefully we can continue to play in the same way because we gave them a lot of problems.
“In the long run, I’m sure we will look back at this as a good point because this is a tough place to come; it’s just a shame right now to be standing here not talking about the win, because we did deserve it.”
He added: “There are a lot of positives to take away from the game. We performed well, and dominated large parts of the match. There’s no reason why we can’t move on from this and establish ourselves in the top-half of the table.”
Many will have been surprised to have seen the talented midfielder make a dramatic deadline day move to the Potteries, having featured in almost 40 games for Liverpool during their Carling Cup winning 2011/12 campaign.
However, Adam, who cost Liverpool £9 million twelve months ago, says he left the Club in search of regular first team action, after new Reds boss Brendan Rodgers explained to him that his first team opportunities would have been limited at Anfield.
“It isn’t an easy decision to leave a Club like Liverpool, but when you get the chance to come to Stoke and play regular football then you have to take that opportunity.
“This is a great Club, which has progressed well every year for the last five seasons or so, and once I had spoken to the gaffer I knew this was the place I wanted to be at.
“It’s been great so far, I’ve only been here for a day or two but the lads have made me feel unbelievably welcome, and that really helps when you move to a new Club."
He added: “The Club have shown a lot of faith in me, so hopefully I can repay them for that and help the Club to even more success over the next four years or so.”