Whelan wants Stoke to up ante

Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan hopes the club can develop some real momentum heading into the second half of the season after rounding off 2014 with back-to-back wins.

The Potters secured successive Premier League victories for the first time this term by following up their 1-0 St Stephen’s Day triumph at Everton with a 2-0 home defeat of West Brom on Sunday, Mame Biram Diouf notching both goals.

The Potters — currently 11th — found some impressive form in the second half of last season that saw them finish ninth, their highest final position since their promotion in 2008.