A LOT of water has passed under the bridge since Stoke City's last visit to the Reebok Stadium on the opening day of last season… but Tony Pulis remains cautious of a side he describes as having top flight experience in abundance.

The City boss takes his side to Bolton, looking to avenge the 3-1 defeat Gary Megson's side inflicted upon the Potters in their inaugural game in the Premier League last August.

And while he believes it is a game that City are capable of getting something from, he insists that keeping star striker Kevin Davies at bay will determine whether it is his side who are travelling back home with all three points.

"Thankfully a lot has changed since the opening day of last season, but we still have to be at our best because Bolton are a very, very good side with some very, very good players," Pulis said ahead of tomorrow afternoon's game.

"In Kevin Davies, they've probably got one of the most troublesome forwards in the league, he is without doubt an absolute handful and we'll have to deal with him on Saturday.

"We couldn't handle him last year, he caused us all sorts of problems and it'll be a big point in the game that we handle him.

"Bolton have been in the Premier League for 9 or 10 years now so they've got great experience, and the players they've got are all players who are used to this division."

Both sides were involved in late drama during their last Premier League outings at the weekend. While City suffered last minute heartbreak against Chelsea, Bolton picked up their first win of the campaign thanks to Gary Cahill's late header at Portsmouth. And Pulis says changes in his starting eleven may be necessary if the Potters are to deny the hosts a second successive victory.

"There will be players disappointed again," he adds. "But I've had meetings now and it's not about the team, it's about the squad.

"It'll be a different game at Bolton than what it was when we played Chelsea at home last Saturday.

"We'll need certain different characters and types of players for this game.

"We've looked good defensively, but Saturday will be a massive game for us I think Bolton have got the best stats in respect for the set pieces, so we'll have to make sure we're prepared for that. "