Tuesday 23 September 2014 19:02, UK
Stoke City boss Mark Hughes was unperturbed about his side being drawn into the verbal battle between Chelsea and Manchester City, according to his assistant Mark Bowen.
City boss Manuel Pellegrini was dismissive of Chelsea's tactics at Etihad Stadium, branding the table-toppers a "small team" and likening their methods to those employed by the Potters in their surprise 1-0 win in August.
Despite appearing to be used as the Chilean's benchmark for negativity, Bowen insisted Hughes was happy to be compared to a side who are three points clear at the Barclays Premier League summit.
"Mark took it as a compliment. If Jose Mourinho went with the same tactics as us, we can't be doing a lot wrong," said Bowen.
"I don't think it was meant as a degrading comment to Stoke City. Pellegrini was maybe just protecting himself because it's been a while since they have won at home. At least he still remembers Stoke City - and I hope he remembers us the next time we play them as well.
"If he used the word 'team' it's nice to be called small because Stoke have been called a giant team in the past."
Mark took it as a compliment. If Jose Mourinho went with the same tactics as us, we can't be doing a lot wrong.
The shock victory in Manchester was Stoke's last win, having lost at home to Leicester and drawn 2-2 with QPR at the weekend.
The Potters have the chance to get back on track in the Capital One Cup third round on Tuesday night, where they face last season's beaten finalists Sunderland.
Gus Poyet's side have yet to win in the league this season, but saw off Birmingham City 3-0 in the previous round of the competition.
"We have watched Sunderland a couple of times,” Bowen added. “They have had a similar start to us with a slow start at home but you only have to look at the players they have available to know it will be a tough game.
"We have a number of players eager to get a game and force their way into the team.”
Hughes is expected to make several changes for the match, with Jack Butland and Thomas Sorensen vying for Asmir Begovic's spot in goal while Robert Huth, Marc Muniesa, Oussama Assaidi and Stephen Ireland are all looking for game time.
