Tony Pulis believes he is still trying to find the right balance as Stoke aim to improve on the road.
Potters boss admits they have been more open this season
Stoke manager Tony Pulis believes he is still trying to find the right balance as the Potters aim to improve their poor away record.
Pulis has ditched the conservative approach he deployed to great effect during Stoke's first two seasons in the Premier League in favour of a more expansive game this term.
Matthew Etherington and fellow winger Jermaine Pennant have flourished but a more attacking system has left the Potters more vulnerable at the back and they have been punished, in particular on the road.
Stoke lost just seven away games in last season's Premier League but have already lost 10 of their 14 away games in the current campaign.
Although the Potters have won at Cardiff and Wolves en route to the FA Cup quarter-finals, they have not won a league game on the road since beating Blackburn 2-0 at Ewood Park on Boxing Day.
Since then they have scored just one goal in five away games in the league, conceding eight, and Pulis hopes their luck will change when he takes his side to West Ham on Saturday.
"Our away form has been disappointing," he said. "A lot of times we have played better than the previous two years but not got the breaks and been unfortunate not to pick up the points.
"It is a tough league and we are still learning. We have played a little bit more open this season. We have Pennant and Etherington and two centre forwards, so we play almost 4-2-4 at times.
Looser
"Although we have done better, especially going forward, we have been a little bit looser at the back and lost goals when maybe we shouldn't have. It is about getting that balance right."
Both Etherington (back) and Pennant (hamstring) are facing late fitness tests following Monday's 1-1 draw at home to West Brom, which left Stoke 10th in the table.
But with just six points separating the Potters and West Ham in the drop zone, Pulis is not taking survival for granted just yet.
"The aim has always been to get to 40 points as quickly as we can, especially this year when there are so many clubs close together," he said.
"I have never known the league being so tight. It is exciting for everyone. It keeps the blood flowing."
