Stoke City head into the international break in third place, level on points with Birmingham City and Middlesbrough at the top, and had you told any Potters fan that after the first three games this season, they would have laughed.

Indeed, Stoke began the Championship campaign in miserable form, suffering defeats to each of Swansea City, Southampton, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, as the pressure piled on manager Mark Robins, especially after a poor second half to last season.

The departure of Sorba Thomas on deadline day and subsequent switch to a 3-4-2-1 shape has, much to the disbelief of many, transformed the Potters' form, as no team in the division has picked up more points than Stoke since the beginning of September, winning nine, drawing two, and losing once.

Numerous factors can be pointed to Stoke's recent success, but few are better-placed to assess the Potters' recent revival than former boss and fan favourite, Tony Pulis.

Tony Pulis has revealed what he thinks has been key to Stoke City's transformation this season

Welsh boss Pulis enjoyed two separate spells in charge of Stoke, the first between 2002 and 2005, and the next, most notably, between 2006 and 2013, where he guided the Potters to the Premier League, established them in the top flight, took them to an FA Cup final, and the latter stages of the Europa League.

Spells with Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion, Middlesbrough, and Sheffield Wednesday would follow before bringing an end to his managerial days in 2020, though it was his time at the bet365 Stadium, then known as the Britannia Stadium, that he is best known for.

Speaking with former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Mick McCarthy on 'The Managers' podcast, Pulis revealed his thoughts on Stoke's upturn in form, saying: "At the beginning of the season, they had a poor start, and there were real question marks about whether they would keep Mark [Robins].

"I think the last three or four players they have recruited have made a massive difference to the team, and since those players have come in, those fortunes have changed.

"They've got momentum now, and when they get momentum at that football club, it's a very, very difficult place to go to.

"The crowds will increase, they'll get behind the team, they can see improvement, and it will be a damn difficult place to go and win. And if Mark can keep that going, it will be absolutely fantastic."

Stoke City's summer recruitment has coincided with a positive change in fortunes at the club

Stoke were quick to confirm the likes of Josh Griffiths, Ethan Galbraith, Djibril Soumare, Luke Graham, and Svante Ingelsson in the summer window, as the likes of George Hirst, Ben Johnson, Justin Devenny, Luca Bombino, and Jack McGlynn followed.

Galbraith, Soumare, Graham, Johnson, and McGlynn, in particular, have each proven to be wonderful additions to the club, with each having a positive impact on the squad since their arrivals.

Without Galbraith dictating games, Soumare breaking up play, Graham leading from the back, Johnson getting up and down the right flank, and McGlynn's magic left foot, Stoke would be nowhere near the Championship top two right now, as Pulis' assessment is bang on the money.

What have you made of Stoke's season so far? Is Pulis' assessment correct, or would you disagree with the Welshman? Share your thoughts below!

Mark Robins will be hoping for a continued impact from his new arrivals

As we head into the next international break, the mood around Stoke right now is as good as it has been in years, with the Potters most recently breaking a record dating back to 1947 by recording five away wins on the spin.

Without the impact of his summer arrivals, this would not have been possible, and Robins almost certainly would have been without a job.

However, Stoke are flying right now, but mustn't rest on their laurels, as Robins must continue to demand more from his summer cohort, as well as pre-existing players in the squad, as something special could be happening at the bet365 Stadium this year.