City defender Ryan Shawcross hopes he has proved he can compete with the Premier League's toughest after another impressive display in the Potters' 2-0 victory over Bolton at the Britannia Stadium on Wednesday night.
James Beattie and Ricardo Fuller grabbed the headlines with a goal apiece either side of half time to move the Potters up four places to fifteenth.
Ryan admits he learned a valuable lesson on the opening day after Stoke were beaten 3-1 at the Reebok Stadium. He believes he has toughened up and can cope with a physical approach like that provided by yesterday's visitors, especially from front men Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander.
He admits it has been made easier by his central defensive partner Abdoulaye Faye, and goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.
"It was a bit of a surprise when we first came into the Premier League," admitted Ryan.
"They [Davies and Elmander] battered me and I got a few bruises but I came back strongly and I had Abdy alongside me, who's probably the strongest man in the world! That makes it easier."
Agreeing that victory was all the sweeter after the defeat in August, Ryan added: "It's just good to come back and show people that I can battle and I can fight. It's good for the team and the players' confidence.
"Thomas was commanding and kept coming out when they were knocking high balls in and claiming them, which is fantastic for a defender because when keepers do that it gives you real belief.
"As soon as he started coming out for them I knew we were going to keep a clean sheet."
Ryan was well aware of the importance of last night's victory, and before hearing the other results from around the league (with Middlesbrough, Blackburn and Newcastle all dropping points, and also West Brom and Portsmouth on Tuesday), thought that with a bit of luck elsewhere, it could turn out to be a key date in the battle for survival.
"It was fantastic, to get a clean sheet, the first one in a while, as well as the three points pushes us up the table and if some other results went for us then it could be a very good night.
"We needed the win under our belt. We've had a bit of a dip in form and hopefully if we can keep picking up three points at home I'm sure we'll be fine. It's just our away form that hasn't been that good so far this season."
In Ryan's eyes, the late comeback against Aston Villa last Sunday may have been the catalyst for a good performance, and the Potters fully deserved their reward of three points.
"You go into a game with a bit of momentum after coming back into a game so late. It was a big confidence boost as well and gave us a bit of belief. We always knew it was going to be a battle tonight and I thought we battled well and we were stronger in the air - we dominated them."
Finally, Ryan found time to salute the fans after another home end sell-out, in which they created a tremendous noise from start to finish.
"They were fantastic," declared Ryan. "Obviously Bolton were going to be a tough team and I think they knew that.
"They knew they had to get behind us and as usual they were fantastic. They are the best fans in the Premier League."
