Stoke boss Mark Hughes feels his side's recent performances show they are back on track - but has emphasised nothing but a win will really do against Sunderland on Saturday.
The Potters halted a run of four straight Premier League defeats by drawing their last two games, only being held 1-1 at home by West Brom due to a stoppage-time equaliser from the visitors and then securing the same scoreline at Manchester United.
While encouraged by those displays, Hughes has no doubt 19th-placed Stoke need to chalk up their first league victory of the season this weekend when they host a rock-bottom Black Cats outfit who are the only other winless side in the division.