Stoke move has given me a new lease of life, claims Matthew Etherington

Matthew Etherington reckons the myth that’s grown up around Stoke’s long-ball style is helping re-establish him as a Premier League star.

The 28-year-old former West Ham winger has been used by boss Tony Pulis as the alternative tactic to the route one game for which his side became renowned.

And that’s meant Etherington, who got his first Premier League goal of the campaign in last week’s draw with Wolves, has slipped under the radar of rival defences.

He said: “When I was at West Ham we were taught to get the ball down, pass and be an attacking team. We do the same at Stoke, just in a different way. 

“That’s fine for me and I’ve got no problem with that. And I don’t think the fans have either because they’ve seen the results it gets.”

Pulis takes his team to Hull today with their only defeats so far having come against Big Four sides – Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United.

And reformed gambler Etherington, who began his career at Spurs, says he’s benefiting from a more laid-back lifestyle away from the bright lights of London.

He said: “It’s been absolutely brilliant for me here. Obviously, it’s a very different life to the one I had in London.

“It’s a lot more relaxed in Stoke, which is good for me. That’s why I’m enjoying it so much.”