Stoke skipper Andy Griffin is determined to prove the critics wrong and help the club avoid an immediate return to the Championship.The Potters, who begin the season with a clash against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium, are hotly tipped to be relegated.

Griffin told the club's official website: "Of course we are the favourites to go down and most people expect us to go down but we don't believe that.

"Everyone makes mistakes and everyone has a bad game. If that is the case when we play some of the bigger teams hopefully we can try and take advantage of them.

"Some of the younger lads will be standing in the tunnel next to the big players and thinking 'oh my god' but we will have experienced players who will help them through.

"It is a season we are all going to enjoy but at the same time we are going to work extremely hard and make sure we are ready for the big kick-off on August 16."

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