Saturday's defeat by Sheffield United was a one off, an aberration in a season of highs and that must remain the case if Stoke are to retain a top six place as Christmas approaches.
Stoke City lost themselves on the way to South Yorkshire and need to find what they misplaced quickly with a tough trip to Ipswich on the horizon and four defeats from five to recover from.
You would have been forgiven for wondering whether a team of imposters had been allowed to walk out at Bramall Lane, so uncharacteristic were the goals they conceded.