BERAHINO: WE DID ENOUGH TO WIN THE GAME, INSISTS STRIKER

IF Stoke City were accused of missing too many chances at Reading, it was a case of not making enough against Ipswich. Fourteen shots at the Madejski, six a week later. They still scored twice on both occasions and this time, like it should have been last, it was enough for three points. Saido Berahino said: “I thought we did enough to win the game. Ipswich are a well organised side who made it difficult for us. “It was a different game than at Reading, where I felt we created a lot of chances but weren’t as clinical. This time we didn’t create many chances, but took the ones we did really well. “Everybody that was involved in the game played a part, I felt. “The first goal was very important to get just before half-time and the second was perfect timing because they had managed to get on top of us at the start of the second half. “That second goal just killed them a bit, I felt, so it was a good three points and we can all be proud of that.” Sam Clucas has now had a big hand in six goals in his first four starts for Stoke since recovering from knee surgery. “This time it was threading a pass to Tom Ince to score the opener. “We’ve all known his qualities from training with him every day,” said Berahino. “He’s got a wand of a left foot. “I’m so happy for him that he’s come in and made an impact. “It can’t have been easy for him staying out for so long after signing, but he’s shown his quality as soon as he’s had a chance and we can only be happy for him. “Hopefully he can keep it up because he’s helped us a lot, especially going forward.” Berahino spent most of his game wide on the left, having got the nod alongside Benik Afobe and Ince in the front line. “It’s one of those ones when I’m just happy to be on the pitch,” he said. “In whatever position I’ve played this season I’ve tried to do the most I can and I’ve tried to contribute as much as I can. “I feel like I’m helping the team and any position where the manager decides to play me, I’ll always give my best and do the most I can to try to get a goal or assist.” STOKE stepped up twice just when everyone was getting anxious.

And it was probably no coincidence that four of their players most in form were the ones who kept their cool to make the difference on a trying afternoon.

Sam Clucas had his quietest of four starts, but pulled a killer pass out of nowhere to feed Tom Ince to score his third goal in three games. It ensured a clap at half-time a moment later when fans had been getting rather fidgety.

Erik Pieters actually got a boo for passing back to Jack Butland a minute before he found himself at the other end and calmly nudging across for Joe Allen to cleverly slot into the bottom corner for his fourth of the campaign.

This wasn’t a classic. It was no coincidence that the stadium was half-empty by full-time. Stoke were rarely threatened and rarely threatening, a little bit sloppy and a bit leggy – but they came up with big moments when it mattered.

EIGHT UNBEATEN FOR FIRST TIME IN SIX YEARS

THE last time Stoke went at least eight unbeaten in the league was the first half of Tony Pulis’s last season.

Remember that? A run of 10 in all featuring that Jon Walters corner routine at West Ham and a thrilling Boxing Day win over Liverpool before a Cameron Jerome crackerjack to draw against Southampton left them above Liverpool heading into the New Year. We all know what happened next.

Before that, nine of the previous 10 runs this long have seen Stoke finish in at least the play-offs. The exception was the winter of 2003/04 and the nine games after Gerry Taggart made his debut. Remember that night at West Ham?

The point is that avoiding defeats for so long normally means you end up at the right end of the table. Keep it going for long enough and the scrappy rotters will be usually, thankfully overshadowed by the greater good. ■ Recent unbeaten league runs in the same season: (10 up to Dec 12, 2012; 12 up to Jan 19, 2008; nine up to Feb 7, 2004; eight up to Jan 13, 2002; 10 up to Nov 10, 2001; 12 up to Feb 20, 2001; 13 up to May 3, 2000; 10 up to Oct 23, 1999; 25 up to Feb 20, 1993; eight up to Dec 28, 1991; 10 up to Oct 12, 1991).

EIGHT GOALS IN FOUR GAMES

STOKE have followed up a run of three goals in six games with eight in the next four.

This time at the other end there were none of the stupid mistakes which turned wins into draws against QPR and Reading, not that this Ipswich team really looked anyway like they were ready to take advantage.

There’s a better, if not perfect, balance that’s got them into their highest position so far this season and now six points off the play-offs.

HOW MUCH BUSINESS IN JANUARY?

TOUCH wood, but Stoke should be, at least, within touching distance in January when Rowett should have the option to tweak his squad for a big push.

There will have to be exits to make room for new faces and rarely-spotted senior players like Moritz Bauer, Charlie Adam, Mame Diouf and Bojan must wonder what the future holds.

Will Stoke have to fend off any interest in goalkeeper Jack Butland, even if they have already made it clear they won’t countenance any cheeky bids for obvious reasons?

Then what position does Rowett need to bring in? Where is most pressing?

The last time Stoke went up from this division – when they were four points better off after 21 games – there was a massive show of ambition and ruthlessness in the mid-season window. Ryan Shawcross and Leon Cort became the club’s first million-pound players, out went captain John Eustace to be replaced by Glenn Whelan.

A bit of bravery and the right big deals might go a long way again. If there’s a chance, they have to give it everything.

A POLITE RETURN FOR PAUL LAMBERT

PAUL Lambert was greeted with applause, as one Stoke fan pointed out, was like Mike Atherton stroking a four at Lord’s.

He always treated the club and its support with respect and, although it’s still bizarre that it should even be noticed, the contrast was appreciated.

He’s got a big job on his hands at Ipswich and most around here will wish him well.