Reading manager Brian McDermott is enjoying his side's recent run of form but is not looking to prove anyone wrong by keeping the Royals in the Barclays Premier League against the odds.
Reading were bottom on Christmas Day but have since gone on a run that has seen them beaten only once in 2013 and last weekend's 2-1 victory at home to Sunderland moved them two points clear of the relegation zone.
McDermott, 51, guided the Berkshire club back into the top flight last season and is fully focused on getting a result at Stoke on Saturday rather than proving his doubters wrong.
"It is nothing about 'told you so'," he said. "You never get carried away and all we can do now is concentrate on our next game and try to do the best we can and get a result.
"We just try to work to the best of our ability and try to get a result on Saturday - nothing else matters.
"People will want instant success and every time you're involved in something that is not easy you are going to have peaks and troughs and we have certainly had those in the last three years.
"You just go through those, you always have a choice and you can keep going or give up and we never give up."
Stoke have an envious home record in the league so far this season with Chelsea the only side to pick up a win at the Britannia Stadium.
McDermott is aware of the Potters' home form but will still be looking to travel home on Saturday having picked up yet another positive result.
He said: "They have lost one game in the league this season at the Britannia and every time you go there you know the fans are going to be vocal.
"Tony has been doing this at this level now for a long time and has been very successful, he has been to a cup final and did well in the league and has a decent amount of points again so he knows what he is doing.
"We have got to go there prepared and try and get the right result.
"We will see what the outcome is at five o'clock, we just want to be ready and make sure we are ready. We will see if we get three points or one point or no points."
Regardless of Saturday's result McDermott will be taking his players to Dubai next week ahead of their trip to Old Trafford in the FA Cup and it is something which has slotted nicely into the Royals' schedule.
"We thought about this for a little while and we are going away for four days to train in a warmer climate and a change of environment," said McDermott.
"It has fallen for us quite well as we don't play Manchester United in the FA Cup until the Monday so it kind of works for us.
"We will get back on the Thursday, have the Friday off and prepare on the Saturday before travelling on the Sunday."
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