Tony Pulis believes Stoke could still be susceptible to second-season syndrome.

On Sunday the Potters travel to Hull, one of the sides that were promoted alongside them from the Coca-Cola Championship in 2008.

Both teams survived last season but have had contrasting fortunes since the turn of the year.

Having finished an impressive 12th at the end their debut Barclays Premier League campaign, Stoke have picked up where they left off this season and currently lie ninth in the table.

Hull, on the other hand, started well last term but only narrowly avoided relegation and with just three league wins in the whole of 2009, are now struggling in 19th position.

It has been a tough time for Phil Brown's team, who are the latest in a long line of sides to have plummeted down the table a year after making an initial splash in the top flight.

Stoke, meanwhile, have been mooted as potential outsiders for a Europa League spot, but Pulis insists that survival is still their prime objective.

"It shows on the record that it is as difficult, if not more difficult to remain in the Premier League every year," Pulis said.

"We only have 16 points at the moment and we have a long way to go to match last year's tally.

"We have to make sure that we remain focused and keep our feet firmly on the ground and don't get carried away.

"I've been in football long enough to know that it can kick you up the backside."

It has been a turbulent time of late at Hull and Pulis is thankful for the stability he enjoys at the Britannia Stadium.

"I can't talk about Hull, but I can say what a great job everybody at this football club has done - how supportive they have been on the terraces, right through to the board of directors," Pulis added.

"At the top of the club there is the chairman and then you look at the supporters that come in week in, week out.

"They have been together - everything has been united and that is why we have taken it on from last year. It's lovely to have stability.

"I'm very pleased and honoured to be the manager of Stoke City and all I care about is this football club.

"I eat, sleep and drink it and it doesn't really worry me what goes on at other football clubs."