I agree with the two posts above.
That said Stoke's horrid tendency to take points of us is getting a bit old.
That's the biggest factor in all this really, isn't it?
EffDee has covered most of it, English football throws up unique challenges and if you want any degree of success, be prepared to deal with completely different styles of play from the opposition from one game to the next.
It's not 'orrible Stoke's fault that our players signed mostly for big transfer fees and huge wages aren't resourceful enough to overcome a side built for a fraction of the cost. Whether they timewaste, have a doughnut like Delap launching scud missiles into the opposition penalty area or whatever.
Whilst we're on the subject, we haven't exactly been purveyors of total football in recent seasons either. A side that relies heavily on set pieces, delivery from out wide and generally has pretty poor possession percentages compared to the opposition? Sound like anyone we know?
I'll ignore the cracks about European football, as for the likes of Stoke and B-lose it's probably a once in a lifetime thrill.