Having just scored his first league goal for Stoke in the 2-0 win over Burnley in his last game, defender Marc Muniesa was quick to remark that December will be a month that offers the truest test of their season's credentials as he looked ahead to the challenging schedule that awaits.
The return of 18 points from a possible 27 in their last nine games has catapulted the Potters up to ninth place in the league but for December the fixture computer has been a lot less forgiving than it was for the period that preceded it.