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'Seeing things' - Mark Robins' reasons for optimism as Stoke City sign off pre-season Stoke City have wrapped up pre-season friendlies with a 1-1 draw with Valencia Mark Robins is encouraged without getting carried away by Stoke City’s performances in their two final home friendlies of pre-season. Stoke have wrapped up their summer warm-ups with a 1-0 win over Everton and a 1-1 draw with Valencia in front of their own supporters at the bet365 Stadium – and will now turn their attentions to a Carabao Cup first round tie at home vs Oldham next weekend. Robins has been pleased with how his side has worked defensively and created chances going forward, even if there is still work to do. He said: “I'm seeing bits that will stand us in good stead. There are some really good signs out of possession and some really good signs in possession. There is still a long way to go, it's early days.” FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest Stoke City news, analysis and more via the Sentinel He added: “I am (pleased with restricting Valencia and Everton chances) – but there are times when you win every game in pre-season and there are times when you lose them all and it doesn't necessarily have a bearing on anything. “What it can do is show where you're at with the work you're doing and I think they're taking that on board pretty well. They're good lads, they've worked hard and it's over to the start of the cup next weekend.” Robins had made tweaks at half-time – including changing Stoke into their away strip to escape a kit clash – and was happier with how they got more aggressive after the re-start. He said: “It was a really good performance, I think especially in the second half. Yes, they are a good team and if you give them time the rotations hurt you and that's what happened in the first half. Also we weren't aggressive enough but when we won the ball back in good positions we turned the ball over almost immediately which meant we spent a lot of the first half out of possession. “The second half was totally opposite. I thought we were really good, more aggressive, got on the ball, moved it pretty well, some high intensity work went on which is what I wanted right from the start of the game. There were 90 minutes for a lot, 75 for some and a draw that could have quite easily been a win." What do you think? Click HERE to join the debate